Ian O'Riordan
While the enduring brilliance of Kenya's Paul Tergat was on full show at Saturday's Belfast International Cross Country at Stormont, the Irish struggled to make an impact on the leading finishers. Best among the men was the 13th position for Peter Mathews, with a similar placing by Pauline Curley in the women's race, but this was some way short of the more memorable days for the Irish in the 26-year history of the event.
There was something of a bonus, however, as Curley led the Irish women's team to victory over Wales, with Northern Ireland winning the men's event by almost double scores over Ireland with a University selection third.
Yet the absence of the likes Seamus Power and Catherina McKiernan meant the Irish factor was always going to be limited. Mathews finished over a minute behind the legendary Tergat, who came with a late rush to win a thrilling race over 8km in 28.27. Tergat's timing at the finish was inch perfect as he got up to beat 18-year-old Fabiano Joseph of Tanzania by one second, with Daniel Gachara of Kenya third.
The courageous Italian, Umberto Pusterla, had made much of the running around the course at the Stormont Estate, but the big crowd sensed that the Africans were waiting in line and that it exactly what happened, with Pusterla relegated to fourth.
There were high hopes of a big show from Irish junior champion Mark Christie, but he could never get in a blow at the leaders and finished in 34th position.
It was a similar story in the women's international, where the improving Canadian Emille Mandor maintained her excellent recent form of late to upset Kenyan favourite Susan Chepkemei, winning by 12 seconds in 18.52.
There was a result of promise in the junior men's event when Ireland's Jamie McCarthy got the better of England's Darrell Ballinger. He could yet link up with Christie on the team for the world championships. Raheny's Mark Kirwan took third, and with Seán Smith, Seán Hehir and Richard Yeates the next three home Ireland took the team title.
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