See more people named Melissa MaesOthers with a similar nameStrange how the build-up to Sunday’s European Cross County in Chia, Italy, has been about athletes who possibly shouldn’t be there as much as the athletes who are – because there’s simply no disguising what will likely be a strong African presence. Sifan Hassan, the Ethiopian-born runner now representing the Netherlands, has decided not to defend her women’s title (She’s gone to train in the US with Alberto Salazar.) That doesn’t mean Fionnuala McCormack has only European athletes to worry about in her quest to win that title back for herself. The Turkish women’s team includes both Yasemin Can and Meryem Akda – two Kenyan-based athletes who have neither lived nor trained in Turkey for any significant period of time. The Spanish women’s team also features the Ethiopian-born Trihas Gebre, and there’s also Lornah Chemtai to worry about, another former Kenyan just cleared to compete for Israel.

Ali Kaya, the former Kenyan now running for Turkey, has decided not to defend his men’s title, and with that has most likely cleared the way for Polat Kemboi, another former Kenyan now running for Turkey, to win back the title won in 2014. McCormack has made known her feelings on this issue – “it’s a joke, really” – but that’s not saying she doesn’t have a good chance of winning: everything about her preparation for this year’s event, staged on the southern tip of Sardinia, has been about getting back to the top of the medal podium.mr jones curtains n10 She beat two quality Africans, Ethiopians Etenesh Diro and Trihas Gebre, in Spain two weeks ago, and her record over the last six years speaks for itself: back-to-back titles in 2011-’12, plus three fourth-place finishes, and one sixth.curved shower curtain rod costco

She’s also helped the Irish women’s team win bronze medals over the last two years and there are certainly similar ambitions on Sunday, as McCormack is joined by Rio Olympians Ciara Mageean, Kerry O’Flaherty and Michelle Finn. It will also mark a 34th international appearance for McCormack, thus equalling Sonia O’Sullivan’s Irish all-time women’s record. blue and white gingham priscilla curtainsThe flat, dry course may not be entirely to her liking but the 6km distance will, even if Can is unlikely to be bothered by the distance or the pace.ikea janette curtains Can fairly routed the field in Amsterdam last July to win the European 10,000m in 31:12.86, with McCormack fourth in 31:30.74, and went on to place seventh in that crazy Rio Olympic 10,000m final, running 30:26:41.

Still, it’s just four months since McCormack’s 20th-place finish in the Rio Olympic marathon, and she’s returned to cross country with a certain vengeance. Joining her in Italy will be Mageean, the European 1,500m bronze medallist, and O’Flaherty and Finn, who both ran the 3,000m steeplechase in Rio. Kerry’s Shona Heaslip, the surprise winner of the national title in Abbotstown last month, also gained automatic selection. The men’s team also includes two Rio Olympians in marathon specialists Mick Clohisey and Paul Pollock, with Mark Christie also selected on the back of winning the national title last month. Jack O’Leary heads the junior men’s team, with Sophie Murphy first selected on the junior women. Irish Teams: European Cross Country, at Chia, Italy: Senior Men: Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers AC), Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock AC), Mark Hanrahan (Leevale AC), Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers AC), Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders AC), Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock AC).

Senior Women: Shona Heaslip (An Riocht AC), Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle & District AC), Ciara Mageean (UCD AC), Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole AC), Laura Crowe (An Riocht AC), Michelle Finn (Leevale AC). Under-23 Men: Karl Fitzmaurice (Ennis Track AC), Mitchell Byrne (Rathfarnham WSAF AC). Under-23 Women: Bethanie Murray (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Amy O’Donoghue (Emerald AC). Junior Men: Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers AC), Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers AC), Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC), Fearghal Curtain (Youghal AC), Barry Keane (Waterford AC), Charlie O’Donovan (Leevale AC). Junior Women: Sophie Murphy (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Amy Rose Farrell (Blackrock AC), Emma O’Brien (Inbhear Dee AC/Slí Cualann), Carla Sweeney (WSAF AC), Jodie McCann (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Aisling Joyce (Claremorris AC). Opinião no meu bloguehttp://amiudageek.blogspot.pt/2016/12... review of another edition Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/I have to admit, this isn't my "usual" type of read, but I am absolutely thrilled that I didn't scroll on by and miss out on a chance to delve into such an incredibly well-plotted and intricate story.

The title was what caught my attention first, swiftly followed by the thought-provoking cover, and then finally, I cast my eyes across the blurb and thought, "Wait, this actually sounds pretty interesting. I'm going to give it a go." Rebecca If Only I Could Read Faster Rachel (Confessions of a Book Geek) /201...You, Me and Other People is a refreshingly realistic, extremely well written, and, at times, quite humorous story that unapologetically delves into the warts-and-all scenario of a family falling apart, the consequences for all involved, and the long recovery process.I was baffled when I discovered that this is Kearney's debut novel, it just doesn't seem possible. Not only is her writing style fantastic, but she writes Kirsty (Book - Love - Bug)I love all things GAA. My dad and I regularly attend Croke Park for football or hurling and more often than not it’s me dragging him along. In fact if you asked him he would confirm that number the bruises I give from the elbows saying ‘did you see that, did you see that’!

I was lucky enough to be in Croke Park last weekend for the drawn Kilkenny and Waterford game and then again in Thurles on Saturday for the two Camogie games and the hurling replay. When football is played in the right way it is great to watch but the games last weekend and this weekend made me say “thank God for hurling”.  The speed of the game, the physique of the players and the skill that they possess are unrivalled anywhere. Waterford couldn’t have asked for a better start, yet Kilkenny showed why they have dominated hurling for the best part of ten years.  Their work rate, mental strength and willingness to keep going until the end no matter what is going on around you is simply what makes them champions. Personally I think that individually Waterford have as good, and in some cases, more skilful hurlers than Kilkenny have. Austin Gleeson is a class apart when it comes to skill and athleticism but he still has a bit to go before he becomes the complete hurler.

If Austin Gleeson was playing for Kilkenny and wasted the ball that he did on Saturday he would have found himself on the sideline. Kilkenny are a sum of all parts, each player plays their position whether or not it’s their best position.  They keep it simple and effective with ferocious tackling and will to win. Nobody would begrudge Waterford an All Ireland and I hope that it comes to them sooner or later. It wasn’t just the hurling on Saturday that people should be talking about because the two Camogie games on as curtain raisers where as good as any hurling match you will see.  Two semi finals that both had the drama and excitement of last minute equalisers to take the games to extra time. Kilkenny set the bar high for their male counterparts to match, and Denise Gaule gave an exhibition of free taking and point scoring.  These Camogie players are athletes in supreme physical condition with the skills to match, Waterford or Kilkenny hurlers would be lucky to have the presence of Gemma O’Connor at centre back or a forward of the calibre of Kate Kelly.