Bronze for Pollock in Inter Counties Cross Country
Current NI cross country champion Paul Pollock had the race of his life in yesterday's Woodies DIY Inter-Counties Cross Country in Sligo when he secured a bronze medal in the Senior 10,000 metres event.
This performance will provide a major boost to his Irish selection chances for the European Cross Country Champs in Slovenia in 2 weeks time.
The 25 year old Belfast doctor was always well placed in the gruelling race along with eventual winner Joe Sweeney of DSD, Seeley Cup winner Andrew Ledwith and Dan Mulhare of North Loais.
As the race progressed Sweeney broke away to establish a big lead which he retained to the finish in a successful defence of his title.Behind him Ledwith eventually broke clear to take 2nd by only 5 secs from Pollock who in turn had managed to get the better of Mulhare.
Pollock's run inspired his County Antrim team mates to secure silver medals for the 3rd time in 5 years. Eddie McGinley (Annadale) was 9th, Joe McAlister (St. Malachy's) 13th, Andrew Agnew (Annadale) 19th and Jarlath Falls (Ballymena & Antrim) 24th. Dublin won the team contest with 103 points ahead of Antrim with 109 and Cork with 182.
Pollock's excellent form as earlier shown by a fastest time in the Southern 6 stage relay is clearly a result of his decision to base himself in England and take a year out from his doctor duties.
In the Senior Women's 8k Down's Kerry Harty was unfortunate to finish 4th as she was only 4 secs behind runner up Clare McCarthy of Cork. The race was won by Meath's Sarah Treacy. Down's Julie Turley was 10th while team mate Lauren Scott finished 17th but third in the U23 category.
There was a Northern win for Lagan Valley's Conall Kirk in the U16 event with Letterkenny's Petter Gibbon taking 2nd. First NI finisher in the Junior Women's race was Eva Laverty (Lagan Valley) in 6th with Lorna Fitzpatrick (Lagan Valley) 12th. Eoghan Totton (Newcastle) finished 6th in the Junior Men behine Cian O'Reilly of Annalee in 5th. Stephen Kerr of Armagh was 8th.
The top two finishers in Sunday's races are guaranteed spots in the Ireland team for the European Championships in Slovenia on 11 December.
U14 B: County: 1. Dublin, 2. Donegal, 3. Antrim. Club: 1. Mullingar Harriers A.C, 2. Dundrum South Dublin, 3. St.Malachys A.C.
U16 G: County: 1. Antrim, 2. Dublin, 3. Cork. Club: Lagan Valley A.C, 2. Dundrum South Dublin, 3. Tullamore Harriers A.C.
U16 B: 1. C.Kirk (Lagan Valley A.C). County: 1. Antrim, 2. Dublin, 3. Westmeath. Club: 1. Mullingar Harriers A.C, 2. Lagan Valley A.C
U23 Women: 1. U.Britton (Wicklow)32.27, 2. M.Finn (Cork)32.34, 3. L.Scott (Down) 33.26.
Meanwhile at the British and Irish Masters International in Glasgow there were medals for Annadale's David Morwood, Omagh's Steven Duncan and North Belfast's Cathy McCourt.
Morwood went one better than last year's bronze when he took silver behind Ireland's defending champion Peter Matthews in the Over 40 category. Duncan was 3rd. McCourt improved on last year's 5th position to take bronze in the Over 35 classification and 6th overall in the Women's race.
