Outrun only by Omagh’s Michelle Strum the Foyle Valley athlete came close to adding to her Northern Ireland and Ulster Novice title won impressively at Gransha back in November and looks a definite talent.

She added team silver after great back up runs from Martina McMullan, Charlene McIntyre and Denise McElhone as the purple vests split winners Omagh Harriers and bronze medallists City of Derry Spartans.

The latter were fronted by Aoife Laverty in her first championship race out of the Juvenile ranks and the Thornhill student was ably backed up by an impressive Ciara Fraser, Janeen Lesse and Camilla McGranaghan as both local clubs celebrated.

Camilla McGranaghan made it double bronze as a member of the Spartans Masters squad who finished third behind Lagan Valley and Finn Valley.

Fronting that success was Hannah Shields who had a stormer with Jackie McGinley close behind and Claire Connor absolutely delighted to clinch her first ever Provincial medal as the fourth and final scorer.

The male Spartans finished fifth team in the ‘Junior’ race, their squad led home in a group sprint finish by Shane McGowan and Noel Logan, 19th and 21st, either side of Pius McIntyre.

Connor Doherty 30th and Michael Melarkey 32nd were next for the red vests and Michael Murphy 54th and Mark Mullan 59th completed the scoring six, in what was one of the biggest field of runners seen at this championship in many years.

Inishowen AC stalwart Pauric McKinney ran very well to claim individual silver behind the male Masters winner Stephen Duncan of Omagh Harriers.

Former Waterside Half Marathon supremo Duncan has just got back to race action after a long time out with illness and looked very good on the testing muddy course in Lurgan. Paul McCafferty was the best of the local masters in action.

Lindsay continues to shine in Lurgan