Bandon's Fiona Everard delivers All-Ireland title

BANDON'S Fiona Everard is the new national women's senior cross country champion after producing a fantastic performance at the 123.ie championships at Gowran in Kilkenny.

The 25-year-old made light of the difficult underfoot conditions to stride away magnificently and record a runaway win, less than 12 months on from winning the novice title in Conna. Fiona took early control of a group including Daniele Donegan (Tullamore Harriers), Fionnuala Ross (Armagh AC), Claire Fagan (Mullingar) and eventual runner-up Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise). 

However, as the 9k race progressed it was becoming increasingly apparent that the west Cork native was looking the strongest contender for the gold medal.

By the time the leaders headed out on their final lap, she had opened up a gap of almost twenty meters and the race was in the palm of her hand. Maintaining a very steady pace of just over four minutes per km, the Bandon athlete crossed the line in 36:32, giving her breathing space of 37 seconds, as she completed her dream day.

It was such a shock, I really wasn't expecting that when I was coming up here. 

"After the two big laps, I just felt good. Being honest I was surprised how good I was feeling and decided just to go for it," commented the new champion.

"Everyone was telling me beforehand that the mud might suit me. I actually also like running hills in training and there were a few here. Pre-race, I was thinking, best-case scenario, let's try to finish in the top three and make the Irish team for Brussels and not do anything silly early on."

Those ambitions were greatly altered as Fiona left all her rivals in her wake and thus had the opportunity to run solo to the finish line.

It was a surreal feeling, something I had never experienced before. 

"All I wanted to do was get to the line and enjoy the winning feeling. Now I just can't get my head around going to the Europeans. During the race, I was trying not to think about it. Since that national novice last year, that was the goal, but I thought at times maybe it was an ambitious one."

The new champion paid tribute to her coach Matt Lockett, all at Bandon AC and her family and friends for their support over the last few years. She follows in the footsteps of club mate Brenda Dennehy who won the senior title in 1999 and more recently Leevale's Michelle Finn who won gold two years ago.

QUALITY

Elsewhere, Youghal's Fearghal Curtin finished an excellent sixth in a high-quality men's senior race, whilst defending champion Darragh McElhinney from Bantry AC was three places back in ninth. 

Avril Millerick from Youghal AC finished fifth in the junior race, leading Cork to the county gold medals and her club into the silver medal-winning position. Sean Lawton of Durrus AC ran a fine race to finish fifth in the men's junior race, with Robert Troy's 10th-place finish also greatly helping Cork to county bronze medals.