FIONA Everard stormed to senior glory at the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships held in gruelling conditions at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry on Sunday afternoon.

The Bandon AC athlete sprung somewhat of a surprise to win her second national senior cross title having previously won in 2023.

The West Cork athlete, who is based in Galway, passed Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) who had done much of the early running with just over a lap to go and from there never looked back.

Everard secures her selection now for a third successive European Cross Country Championships.

'I’m honestly so happy,' she said. 'I felt really relieved crossing the line, but I’m delighted to make the team and win as well, I couldn’t be happier,' Everard told Athletics Ireland afterwards.

'I really wanted this. All season I was running with my aim to win this…I didn’t put too much pressure on myself, but I knew it was possible. I always like muddy and hilly courses so when it was flat I said if I got some mud, I’d take that.'

There was a repeat of the silver and bronze medal winners from last year with Allen, who had led for most of the way, finishing second and Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) crossing the line in third.

Senior team honours went the way of Allen’s club Leevale.