TRURO School student Finn Birnie's fourth place finish at the SIAB Schools International XC 2015 Cross Country Event helped England top the team leaderboard.

The race held in Dublin saw the best young runners from Great Britain and Ireland compete against each other with a field of 33 starters.

Birnie timed his run brilliantly to chase down a pack of four who had opened up a gap from the main group shortly after setting off before overtaking Mohamed Mahamud on the final hill climb.

“At the start of the final lap I tried to overtake Mohamed but he wouldn't let me, he simply increased his speed,” Birnie said.

“I was relieved when I crossed the line. I proved to myself that I can be up there with the best.”