Donore Harriers men’s team had to settle for 3^rd place in the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country championship at Adamstown in County Wexford on Sunday in what proved to be a keenly contested race.

Niall Lynch (27.35), fresh from his win in the Leinster Novice race last month, was edged out of an individual medal position when he placed 4^th – just two seconds behind both the second and third placed runners – respectively Stephen Hunter (27.33) of St. Michaels AC and James McAssey (27.33) of St. Laurence O’Toole AC. The relatively flat course over a distance of 8km, in rained soaked conditions, would not have suited Niall’s preference for a hilly terrain.

Colm O’Connell (27.43) continues to improve following his transfer from Raheny Shamrocks AC, placing an encouraging 6^th position. Graham Hopkins (28.14) gave a fine display of running, having obviously recovered from his Dublin Marathon exploits, to edge into the top 10 in the field.

The scoring 4 was completed by Henry English (29.30) in 33^rd position. Liffey Valley AC (44) were team winners with Sli Cualann AC (51) second and Donore Harriers (53) in third.

The individual winner was Henry Lupton (26.19) of Portlaoise AC.

Four other Donore Harriers athletes competed, including Paul ‘Padre Pio’ O’Callaghan (29.41) who placed 37^th and showing good promise for the future. The others were: – Will Morris (29.36) in 35^th; Darren Hughes (31.10) in 51^st and Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41) in 77^th.

Results in brief: –

4^th Niall Lynch M40 (27.35); 6^th Colm O’Connell (27.43); 10^th Graham Hopkins M35 (28.14); 33^rd Henry English M35 (29.30); 35^th Will Morris M35 (29.36); 37^th Paul O’Callaghan (29.41); 51^st Darren Hughes (31.10); 77^th Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41)

Team: 1^st Liffey Valley AC (44); 2^nd Sli Cualann AC (51); 3^rd Donore Harriers <Lynch; O’Connell; Hopkins; English> (53); 4^th Sliabh Buidhe Rovers (88); 5^th Tullamore Harriers (116)

Other results: –

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Women 2 miles: –

4^th Maura Kearns (12.37); 16^th Rhona Duane W35 (13.49)

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Men 4 miles: –

14^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (23.00); 61^st Tom Fagan M45 (26.28); 68^th Joe Murphy (26.49); 69^th Peter Nugent M45 (26.51); 96^th Eoin George (28.51); 126^th Des Gill M45 (32.46); 130^th Joseph Maguire M75 (33.54)

Malahide Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 1^st Stephen Gavin JNR (17.45)

Waterstown Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 29^th Andrew Maguire M45 (29.05)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 11^th / 2^nd woman Samantha Conroy W35 (22.02)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 43^rd David Hudson M55 (24.13); 49^th Joan McTernan W55 (24.47)