WEEKEND ROUND UP 7th and 8th February
09 February 2026
Cross-Country was the main focus over the weekend with the NI Senior XC Championships being held at Necarne Estate in Irvinestown, the Home Countries XC Championships at Parliament Hill and the European Clubs XC in Portugal which featured teams from Lagan Valley AC, Willowfield AC and Candour Track Club.
The senior men’s race in Irvinestown produced one of the closest finishes in the event’s history with Andrew Milligan (North Belfast Harriers) just edging Russell White (Dromore AC) on the line. Long time leader, Jared Martin (Ballydrain AC), finished third. Andrew led North Belfast Harriers to victory in the team race over North Down AC.
In the women’s Senior race, Lea Adamson (Annadale Striders), led from start to finish for a comfortable win from teammate Dearbhla Cox with Tara McDonough (North Down AC) finishing in third. Annadale Striders were clear winners of the team race with City of Derry Spartans coming in second.
Emma Stewart (Dromore AC) ran the race of her life to win the U20 women’s race at the Home Countries XC International held on the iconic Parliament Hill Course. Persistent rain over the previous few days made underfoot conditions very tough however Emma coped very well and finished seven seconds clear of Brighton’s Ava James. Aisling Smith (Ballymena & Antrim AC) battled well to finish twenty-fifth.
In the men’s U20 race, which was held over a gruelling 8000m, Tom Fleming (CNDR TC) ran very strongly to finish ninth, Odhran McBrearty (Finn Valley AC) was twenty- third and Caolan Gilbride (Tir Conaill AC) was thirty-second. The NI team finished sixth overall.
Fortunately, despite heavy rain in Portugal, the course held up very well and led to some good performances from our local teams representing Ireland in the European Clubs XC Championships.
Willowfield AC and Lagan Valley AC fielded teams in the U20 women’s race with Freya Woodhead being the first local athlete home in an excellent fourteenth place and Willowfield’s Emily Morris being their top finisher in twenty-fourth place. In the team standings Lagan Valley were fifth overall with Willowfield finishing thirteenth place.
CNDR TC, AAI National Senior XC winners, fielded a team in the Senior men’s race with Tony McCambridge being the first man home in thirty fourth place leading his Candour teammates to sixteenth place in the team standings.