The junior men's race was second on the docket.

Martin Fagan, the overwhelming pre-race favourite was sidelined with an illness availing the title to whoever could survive the mudfest. Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) is the reigning Junior 1,500m champion and during this cross-country season he has victories in the Rás na hÉireann, Inter County and Celtic International.

His running résumé certainly justifies selection to the Irish junior team at World Cross much to chagrin of today's sixth place finisher.

The course conditions were deteriorating with every loop traversed by the runners but the lads still had firm footing, which grew scarcer each lap.

Unlike the junior women, the men were quite comfortable at the 8k-distance and attacked the course immediately. Mark Christie from the Mullingar Harriers had a chance to perform outside his teammate Fagan's shadow and seized the moment. William Harty (KCK AC) and St Malachy's Kevin Seaward escorted the Mullingar man for the first three laps.

On the penultimate lap Christie made a break that grew to 17 seconds when he crossed the line. An excited Christie savoured his triumph pumping his fists for the last 20 metres much as cyclist in Le Tour enjoys a solo win.

The final lap sealed the team title as two Dundrum runners moved up to cement the second straight win on the day for the Dublin club. Joseph Sweeney made a tremendous leap from fourth to the second spot and Alan McCormack moved to fifth.

DSD won 45 points (2, 5, 16, 22) with Mullingar placing second with 77 points (1, 11, 26, 39). You don't need a degree in mathematics to see how this would have changed if Martin Fagan was able to compete.

1) Mark Christie, Mullingar Harriers, 30.44; 2) Joseph Sweeney, Dundrum South Dublin, 31.02; 3) Kevin Seaward, St Malachy's, 31.06; 4) William Harty, KCK, 31.10; 5) Alan McCormack, DSD, 31.15; 6) Eoin Higgins, St Coca's, 31.18; 7) Dermot Grant, Sparta North West, 31.31; 8) Colm Rooney, Clonliffe Harriers, 31.39; 9) Sean Hehir, Marian AC, 31.52; 10) Aodhan O'Braoin, Raheny Shamrocks, 32.02