It was a game of inches at the Donegal Senior Cross-Country Championships on Sunday in Stranorlar.
In both the men’s and senior women’s races, there was barely the width of a cigarette paper between the main protagonists.
Pictures by Kieran Carlin
Finn Valley’s Teresa Doherty had led every step of the way until her lead was overhauled by Letterkenny AC’s Nakita Burke over the final ten metres of an epic contest.
For Burke, it was a first individual medal at these Championships.
Doherty looked as if she was going to hold onto the advantage, but Burke never gave in and pipped the Finn Valley woman at the post. Claire McGuigan of Lifford-Strabane AC took bronze.
Finn Valley won the women’s team event with Doherty, Kay Byrne, Caitriona Devine and Catherine Dooher scoring.
City of Derry’s Gideon Kipsang guested for the men’s event and was the winner of the race.
The Donegal title was another neck-and-neck affair.
Letterkenny AC’s Karol Duggan edged out Finn Valley’s Gerard Gallagher with LAC’s Kieran Doherty in third.
Letterkenny AC claimed the men’s team title with Duggan, McBrearty, Raymond Birch, Paul McFadden and Eoghian McGinley scoring.
Sunday will go in history for the Milford AC, who won their first ever team medals with Marty Lynch, Peter O’Donnell, Damian McBride, Gerard Marley and Liam Doherty scoring to collect bronze.
