Fionnuala Britton fourth in Cross County event in Spain

Ireland's Fionnuala Britton

Ireland's Fionnuala Britton finished fourth in Sunday's IAAF International Cross Country event in Burgos in Spain.

Defending European Cross Country Champion Britton came in 47 seconds behind Ethiopia's Ayalew Hiwot, who won ahead of Kenya's Linet Masi and Britain's Jessica Coulson.

County Down athlete Kerry Harty was 21st in the women's event.

Annadale's Eddie McGinley was 53rd in the men's event with David McCarthy best Irish finisher in 18th.

McCarthy finished one minute and 13 seconds behind winner, World Cross Country champion Imane Merga.

Michael Mulhare was less than 20 seconds behind McCarthy in 25th while Kilkenny athlete Brian Maher placed 40th.

Britton was six seconds behind British third placer Coulsen in the women's race although the European champion did finish three seconds ahead of Portugal's Sara Moreira.

Ava Hutchinson was the next of the Irish in ninth place, followed by Sarah McCormack in 13th and Harty in 21st.

Clonmel athlete Sean Tobin finished an impressive second in the junior men's race.

The next events for the Irish athletes will be the Inter Counties tests in Ratoath on 25 November which will be the trials for the European Championships in Budapest on 9 December.