Kevin Dooney, Eoin Strutt and Brian Fay all proudly represented their country on Sunday in Samorin and the European cross country championship.
Dooney finished in 51st place in the senior men’s race and will be back again for club and country and no doubt already has his eyes set on the European Championship in Berlin in August.
The Irish men’s team in the bizarre three to score competition produced the best men’s team performance of the last decade to finish in fifth place, led home by Sean Tobin with Hugh Armstrong and Kevin Mansell.
Eoin Strutt made his international debut in the under 23 men’s race taking 49th place, just 69 seconds behind the winner France’s Jimmy Gressier in an ultra-competitive race.
A gutsy performance by Strutt on his international debut who fought very hard through the last lap for a top 50 finish.
Brian Fay placed 49th in the under 20 men’s race some 63 seconds behind Norway’s gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
A baptism of fire for Fay in the men’s under 20 race, easily the most competitive race in the European Cross Country championship and one were young Fay will have learnt a lot as he will continue to progress his international career.
The beginning of something very special at European cross country level for another group of young Shamrocks.
