Leevale’s Martin McCarthy led the Irish men’s team to 6th place in the European Cross Country Championships in Ferrara, Italy today. Martin finished in 16th place, after picking off a dozen places on the last two laps. Martin’s time of 28:47 was 40 seconds behind race winner Sergiy Lebid of the Ukraine. Peter Matthews was second of the Irish in 21st, Noel Berkeley 35th, Cormac Finnerty 36th, Noel Cullen 37th, and Seamus Power 45th. In the women’s race Paula Radcliffe took the honours with Una English best of the Irish in 15th place. Gareth Turnbull showed why he is regarded as one of the most outstanding young Irish athletes in recent years when he took the bronze medal in the junior men’s race. (Results)