Identical times by Finn Valley AC's identical twins earn bronze for Ireland

Finn Valley AC's identical twins, Eilish and Roisin Flanagan, clocked identical times to lead Ireland' senior women to team bronze at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Italy.

The Flanagan twins crossed the line in 27:38 to place 11th and 12th respectively with Mary Mulhare also scoring for the girls in green in 27th while Letterkenny AC's Ann-Marie McGlynn also comes home with a continental nugget.

The United States based sisters, who are coached by Damon Martin in Colorado, led the charge with gutsy, determined runs.

They were both in the top 20 from the get-go and gradually made their way up the placings in difficult underfoot condition at at Mandria Park in Turin.

Sean McGinley aides Ireland U20s to European silver

A superb run from Finn Valley AC's Sean McGinley saw him finish 12th and help Ireland to Under-20 silvers in Turin

Eilish Flanagan, who competed in the steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympic Games last year, was the lead Irish runner having only been drafted in as a late replacement following the withdrawal of Ciara Mageean.

Letterkenny AC veteran McGlynn, the oldest participant in the race at 42, was also a member of the Irish team, placing an excellent 31st in 28:40.

McGlynn surged to a fine fourth spot at the Irish Senior Cross Country Championships in Rosapenna last month and continues to defy the numbers.

Ireland took bronze with 50 points, five better than Spain with Germany (9) and Great Britain (30) occupying the top two podium spots.

Norwegian star Karolin Grovdal won in 26:25, four seconds in front of German Konstanze Klosteralfen, who led her country to team golds.

Germans Alina Rea, Hanna Klein and Miriam Dattke were third, fourth and sixth.