A steady rain for what seemed like weeks produced unusually thick and heavy conditions, even for Ireland at the Aer Lingus Complex in Dublin for the Athletics Ireland Inter Club Cross Country Championships held on Sunday, 24th February. Like last year's event, the race held special meaning, as it would be used as a qualifier for the World Cross Championships to be held in Dublin. With no threat of foot-and-mouth, it look likes Leopardstown will indeed host the event.

Women's Junior Race Pack - photos by T Patrick O'Dowd

Shortly after 1.00 pm the junior women began their three-lap journey. Racing longer than planned is certainly a disadvantage but being the first to compete on the rain soaked surface was a distinct advantage. The pre-race favourite was undoubtedly defending champ, Fionualla Britton and she did not disappoint. The longer race distance coupled with the slippery surface resulted in a tentative start. More than a third of the 60 starters were tightly bunched midway through the first loop.

Short on patience and long on determination, Miss Britton grabbed the lead beginning her march to her second consecutive title. Only 17, but already a member of several Irish International teams the Slí Chulann runner confidently opened a 20-metre gap on a trio of Dundrum South Dublin followers. The field spread out quickly as Britton's injection of pace proved too much for most of the young competitors. Unexpectedly, at only the midway point of the race, the top three runners had created a 30-second gap on the fourth place girl.

This was critical because the first three across the line were guaranteed selection to the Irish team. Ava Hutchinson (DSD), the only runner besides Britton that was on the Irish team in Ostend for the 2001 World Cross race was alone in fourth, 30 seconds from third and well clear of fifth place. The pace and the puddles took its toll on Britton whose lead had dwindled to only a few metres with Michelle Gallagher in second and Linda Byrne another few strides behind her Dundrum teammate. Byrne, only 15 and the U-17 Rás na hÉireann winner was hoping to stay close enough to utilize her track prowess at the finish. Gallagher who turned 16 in October hadn't raced since late November and has never contested an event more than 5k much less in such conditions used a different tactic boldly passing Britton with a kilometre remaining. Her time at the front was short-lived with Britton reclaiming the lead after only a half-minute off the front.

All that remained was a u-turn that ended with a 100-metre straightaway to the finish chute. Byrne began a remarkable kick catching Gallagher with 20 metres left but ran out of course before she could pass Britton. Only four seconds separated the first three places - the closest race of the day.

The individual title was decided in the final stretch but the team title was over before the first lap was completed. Eddie McDonagh's Dundrum South Dublin machine scored a mere 15 points (2, 3, 4, 6) with Tír Chonaill in second with 44 points (8, 10, 12, 14) and St Andrew's third with 106 (17, 19, 28, 42).

1) Fionualla Britton, Slí Chulann, 26.55; 2) Linda Byrne, Dundrum South Dublin, 26.57; 3) Michelle Gallagher, DSD, 26.59; 4) Ava Hutchinson, DSD, 27.36; 5) Lisa Marie Coohill, Athenry, 27.49; 6) Ashling Baker, DSD, 27.51; 7) Fiona Mahon, South O'Hanlon, 27.55; 8) Michelle Harvey, Tír Chonaill, 28.04; 9) Niamh Healy, Metro/St Brigid's, 28.15; 10) Krystal Palmer, Tír Chonaill, 28.22