Dermot Donnelly answered the Irish selectors in perfect fashion with victory by retaining his Joe Seeley 10K title at Ormeau Park.

Annadale Striders star Donnelly was omitted from Ireland's team for the next weekend's European cross-country championship, although named as a reserve.

However, Donnelly responded in the best possible way by beating his club rival Steven Cairns by 22 seconds in a time of 30.21.

It was a repeat of last year's one-two with Belfast's Paul Rowan picking up third spot in 30.55.

It was Donnelly's eighth victory in 10 years over the Belfast course.

Annadale easily won the team event wtih six finishers in the top eight.

In the ladies race, Sharon McBurney took the honours in 37.03 with Claire Quinn second and Suzanne McCormick picking up third, the same placing as last year.