Brian Fay and Fiona Everard picked up the senior honours on a muddy course in Derry at the Irish Cross Country Championships on Sunday (23), securing selection for the Lagoa 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships on 14 December.
There was a tough three-way tussle in the men’s 7.5km race between Fay, three-time European cross country medallist Nick Griggs, and Cormac Dalton, who was eighth in the senior men’s race at the Brussels 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
In an attritional race, Fay held strong into the finishing straight and nosed clear to win in 25:13, with Griggs two seconds behind at the finish and Dalton a further second back for bronze.
Fay targets team medals in Lagoa
“Once I sort of sniffed the finish line, I was going for it,” said Fay, the Irish 5000m record holder. “You know, seven or eight years ago, I think it was in 2018 or 2019, I was second in the juniors.
"The same thing: came around the corner and I just got too excited, like a deer in the headlights. So happy with that! From second the year before, fourth, fifth… so nice to get the win.”
Looking towards Lagoa, where he will be competing in his seventh SPAR European Cross Country Championships, he said: “We've sent some very strong teams the last couple of years in the senior men, and we've been just outside the medals.
"And I feel like this year is really a year that we can try and push for a team medal. I feel like we can put three guys in the top 12, top 10. So, I think we can do that.”
Griggs had the consolation of the Irish U23 title and, having won U23 silver and U20 bronze and silver at the three preceding SPAR European Cross Country Championships, he too will head to Portugal in optimistic mood.
Everard regains senior women's title
2023 champion Everard regained the senior women’s title in an impressive front-running performance. Afterwards, the mud-splattered 27-year-old said: “Two years ago, I know that was really going to be a bonus: making the team and then winning it.
"I just didn’t really expect it going into it. This season I really wanted it, with the aim of trying to win it. I love these conditions. I love the mud; I knew it would suit me. I was quietly confident on this course.”
She kept a strong field at bay on the 7.5km course, finishing in 26:49, with Niamh Allen 15 seconds adrift in second place and Danielle Donegan third in 27:10.
