There was scenes of complete joy and disbelief for the Ireland women's team as they clinched bronze in the European Cross Country championship.
On a hugely successful day for Ireland, the women's bronze medal knew they would be in the mix for the medal positions. Twin sisters Eilish and Roisín Flanagan finished side-by-side in 11th and 12th place in the individual women's race. Eilish Flanagan was a late replacement Ciara Mageean.
Elsewhere in the race, Mary Mulhare finished 27th, with Ann Marie Glynn 31st. Aoibhe Richardson was 46th, with Michelle Finn 55th.
This left Ireland in a tense wait. It was worth it in the end, as scenes of absolute joy for the women's team, who couldn't believe their achievement.
Germany claimed gold, while Great Britain claimed silver in second.
Absolute scenes as Ireland take the bronze at the European Cross Country Championships in Italy @irishathletics
📺 Watch now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/b2OI4O7lx9 #RTESport pic.twitter.com/LFP4tZJxQ8— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 11, 2022
Elsewhere across the Ireland team in Italy, the men's team finished eighth overall. Peter Lynch was the highest placed in 15th, with Brian Fay the next highest in 27th.
Hiko Haso finished in 30th, with Barry Keane in 33rd. Cormac Dalton was in 36th, while Pierre Murchan made up the team in 67th place.
The winners of the both men's and women's individual races both came from Norway. Jakob Ingebrigtsen retained his title in a brilliant performance. His fellow countrywomen Karoline Bjerkeli was the winner in the women's race.
An athletics legend from Ireland in Sonia O'Sullivan is currently training the second place German Konstanze Klosterhalfen in the women's race.
There was a a mix of joy and disappointment for Ireland in the remainder of the races. In the men's U23 team claimed Bronze. Efram Gidey was the leading charge in fourth place, with Darragh McElhinnery finished 27th.
In the U20 race, Ireland's Nick Greggs claimed silver as he was pipped to the line in the final stages, with Dean Casey finishing in third.
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