Cullen makes intentions for Santry clear

ATHLETICS:THERE WAS something bold and calculated about the way Mary Cullen dominated the Gerry Farnan Cross Country in the Phoenix Park yesterday. Visibly confident and determined, Cullen led from gun to tape – as if making a statement of her intentions for when the European Cross Country is staged a short distance away in Santry in just eight weeks.

It’s only the start of the season, yet Cullen is wasting no time in testing her fitness, and for good reason: yesterday’s three-mile race was the first cross country appearance for the Sligo athlete since finishing fourth in the Europeans in Brussels last December, and, more significantly, her first real competition since winning a bronze in the European indoors in March – before injury ruined hopes of making a mark outdoors.

“I was a bit nervous getting on the grass for a race after being away so long,” she admitted, “but once I got going I felt very comfortable.”

Indeed she looked very comfortable, winning in the end in 15 minutes 34 seconds and over half-a- minute clear of another woman on the comeback trail, Fionnuala Britton from Wicklow, who also had every reason to be pleased with her early-season effort.

Cullen missed the entire summer season with the recurrence of a stress fracture in the hip, but, since recovering, has built up her mileage in preparation for Santry on December 13th.

“Once I got over the injury I just piled on the miles in training and I think I’m now beginning to get the benefit of that,” she said.

“I’d a 10km road race in Sligo a few weeks ago, and that was a great boost to my confidence, but it’s a good feeling to come back in a race like this and feel so strong and comfortable out in front.”

Cullen will take on a more international field in Spain early next month, but judging by yesterday’s display she’s already well on track to lead the Irish medal charge in Santry. Down’s exciting teenage talent Ciara Mageean took third in 16:42.

The men’s five-mile race, run over the equally fast course around the Magazine Fort, was a lot closer, before Mark Christie from Mullingar injected an impressive surge on the last circuit to out-kick the long-time leader Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe.

Kenneally had made all the running up to midway stage, before suffering a slight stitch, but still could not hold Christie, his training companion, who took a six-second victory in 23:32.

Gary Thornton from Galway finished third in 24:20 and is also in the frame to make the Irish team for Santry.