Bogle was the early leader as the field settled down after the early rush along Balliniska Road. However, the Eglinton man did not reckon on the tenacity of Ciaran Hurley who dogged his steps throughout the opening two kilometres.

At the halfway point, reached in 7:33, Bogle had gained a mere ten metres on the determined Cork man. Less than 20 seconds back, Seamus Kealey headed up a chasing group of four which also included overall Series leader Dermot Sweeney and Letterkenny duo Kevin Ferry and Ivan Toner.

Bogle put the boot down on the climb up the Northland Road for the second time to finally break away from his pursuer. At the line, the British orienteering international had increased his margin of victory to 32 seconds with the game Hurley keeping his composure to retain the runner-up spot.

Behind Hurley, a bitter battle was fought out for third place. In the end Kealey proved the strongest to take the bronze award in 16 minutes exactly and in the process leapfrogged over sixth-placer Dermot Sweeney to take the overall lead in the Series with just one race remaining.

Mr Consistent, Declan McCarthy, took seventh overall in a speedy 16:27 to claim the masters' prize ahead of Paddy Nicell.

Julie Butler looks to have shaken off two years of persistent injury after a confident win in the women's contest. Already fifty metres clear at the halfway point, Butler trebled her advantage on the second circuit for 42 seconds margin over the redoubtable Anne Paul.

Margaret Synnott took third in 18:18 to complete a top-class leading trio while Shelagh Bodkin retained the overall lead despite being back in fourth place.