Brian Fay starred as Ireland claimed a brilliant European Cross Country Championship men’s silver medal in Lagoa.
Fay produced an inspirational run as the lead Irish man for the majority finishing in 11th place, the best ever finish by a Raheny athlete in this championship.
Combining with Mullingar Harriers pair Jack O’Leary, who came through the field to finish sixth and Cormac Dalton in 11th place. Giving Ireland 26 points and silver behind champions Spain with 10 points.
It was Ireland’s first senior men’s European cross country medal since team bronze at the 2000 European Cross Country championship.
🗣️“It’s an unbelievable result especially for Jack to come 5th in that field”
The senior men react to Ireland first senior men’s medal in 25 years! 🥈#irishatletics #EuroCross #Lagoa2025 @Ask123ie pic.twitter.com/V1vrnim8RY
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) December 14, 2025
The race was won outright by Thierry Ndikumwenayo of Spain ahead of French showman Jimmy Gressier. Switzerland’s Dominic Lokinyomo took bronze.
It was a brilliant tournament for Ireland with Emma Hickey taking bronze in the women’s U20 race.
Nick Criggs blew the U23 field away to take gold and led the team including Callum Morgan in eighth place and Niall Murphy 10th to gold.
The first time Ireland have won Men’s U23 gold since 2010. A team which our own Dave Rooney was a scoring member of.
