Fionnuala Britton will lead a 33-strong Irish team into next month’s European Cross Country championships in Samokov, Bulgaria - and the Wicklow athlete is determined to win back the senior women’s title surrendered a year ago.

Britton has already underlined her return to form by winning back her National Inter-counties title in Dundalk last Sunday, and goes into the championships, which take place on Sunday, December 14th, as one of the early favourites

She lost out on a third successive title in Belgrade last year, finishing fourth, and will look to sharpen her form further this Sunday with one final test run at the Cross De L’Acier in France next weekend to round off her pre-championships race schedule.

Preparations

“Fionnuala’s preparations have been building very well and as a former double champion is looking to improve on her fourth placing from last year.” said Chris Jones, her coach and National Endurance Coach at Athletics Ireland. “Overall team preparations have gone well with altitude training camp in Font-Romeu for both senior and under-23 athletes”.

Britton will be joined on the women’s team by the five top finishers at the Inter-county championships: Michelle Finn (Leevale AC), Laura Crowe (An Riocht), Sara Treacy (Dunboyne AC), Siobhan O’Doherty (Borriskane AC) and Ann Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny A.C.).

The senior men’s team will be led by team by Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders). who also won the men’s race last Sunday: he will be joined by Mark Hanrahan (Leevale A.C) and Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock A.C). The remainder of the team are Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel A.C), Breandan O’Neill (DSD AC) and Kevin Batt (St Coca’s AC).

Two US-based athletes, Shane Quinn and Jake Byrne, withdrew themselves from selection consideration due to their NCAA’s college commitments

Irish Team:

21st SPAR European Cross Country Championships, Samokov, Bulgaria December 14th.

Senior Men

Paul Pollock Annadale Striders A.C.

Mark Hanrahan Leevale A.C

Mick Clohisey Raheny Shamrock A.C.

Kevin Maunsell Clonmel A.C Kevin

Breandan O’Neill DSD AC

Kevin Batt St Coca’s AC

Senior Women

Fionnuala Britton Kilcoole A.C.

Michelle Finn Leevale AC

Laura Crowe An Riocht

Sara Treacy Dunboyne AC.

Siobhan O’Doherty Borriskane AC

Ann Marie McGlynn Letterkenny A.C.

Under-23 Men

Liam Brady Tullamore Harriers

Brandon Hargreaves Clonliffe Harriers

Ryan McDermott Annadale Striders A.C. Mark Kirk

Kevin Dooney Raheny Shamrock A.C. Paul Harkins

Dara Chesser Ennis Track

Under-23 Women

Mary Mulhare Portlaoise A.C.

Maria O’Sullivan Raheny Shamrock A.C.

Rachael Smyth St. Coca’s AC

Orna Murray UCC/Ferrybank

Shona Heaslip An Riocht AC

Ellie Hartnett. UCD

Junior Men

Kevin Mulcaire Ennis track A.C.

Con Doherty. Westport A.C.

Jack O’Leary Mullingar Harriers

Rick Nally DSD AC

David Harper. Sligo

Brendan O’Connor An Riocht

Junior Women

Hope Saunders Clonliffe Harriers

Orlaith Moynihan Clonmel A.C

Clodagh O’Reilly Annalee A.C.

Rhona Pierce Leevale AC