Martin Fagan took victory in a weakened men's field in Dublin

Ireland's Martin Fagan and Scottish athlete Freya Murray took the wins at Sunday's Great Ireland Run in Dublin.

Fagan easily won the men's event in 29 minutes and 17 seconds after the main overseas contenders missed the race because of current travel restrictions.

Joe Pavey, running her first race since giving birth, led much of the women's event but had to settle for runner-up in 32.45 - 15 seconds behind Murray.

Late entry Pavey travelled to the event by ferry from Holyhead to Dublin.

Pavey, who gave birth to son Jacob last September, had planned to make her comeback at next month's Great Manchester Run, but stepped in as a replacement when Hayley Yelling-Higham withdrew because of illness.

Murray powered away in the final 2.5 kilometres of the 10 kilometres at the Phoenix Park but Pavey was delighted with her run.

"I'm really pleased with how things went, particularly as everything happened so suddenly on Thursday night when I was asked at the last minute to run," said Pavey.

"It was a rush but really having a race has worked in my favour and it was a great opportunity before Manchester.

"I did need a run-out and it was nice to get back sooner than I expected."

I wanted desperately to be here and grab a win Martin Fagan

Pavey hopes to run the 10,000m at this year's European Championships in Barcelona.

Murray, one of the country's up-and-coming stars, was overjoyed with her victory ahead of Pavey and Australia's former world cross country champion Benita Willis.

"I sat in until we reached seven and a half kilometres and an uphill stretch, when I managed to pull her in and then get clear," said Murray.

Murray is coached by US-based British marathon record holder Steve Jones.

Fagan became the first Irish winner of the eight-year-old event in a time of 29 minutes 17 seconds.

The Mullingar athlete led a domestic sweep ahead of Gary Thornton (29.36) and Andrew Ledwith (29.48).

Fagan, based in the United States, was on the last flight to land in Dublin before restrictions were imposed.

"I was travelling from Flagstaff for three days and only just made it," said Fagan.

"But I wanted desperately to be here and grab a win."

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