National
Cross Country Juvenile Uneven Ages and Novice Championships
The final day of the National Cross Country
championships were held in muddy Cow Park in Dunboyne in Co Meath last Sunday,
and despite the tough conditions, Galway athletes once more tasted success in
some highly competitive events.
There were two incredible individual
bronze medal winning performances via Sean Cotter of Craughwell AC at U17
level, and his clubmate Caron Ryan in the Novice Women’s race.
At Juvenile level Sean Cotter continued
his good form on the country with a strong performance to take bronze in a
competitive U17 Boys race.
Tuam AC’s U13 Boys team also struck
bronze with a great combined effort via the scoring four of Cian Halligan, Ross
Mitchell, Oisin Kelly and Odhran O’Hare.
In the Novice Ladies race over 4km,
Caron Ryan’s outstanding medal performance showcased the talent and hard work
that has taken her to National success. In a highly impressive performance Ryan
was always in the front group and broke away into contention along with
eventual runner up Hilary Hughes in chase of winner, Dublin’s Cliona Murphy.
Ryan finished strongly, having to hold off fast charging international Nadia
Power to win a well-deserved bronze.
Barbara Dunne of GCH had a super run to
place 11th, picking her way through the field with ease, while her clubmate Olive
Gleeson had a storming race to place as Galway’s third scorer with Aine O’Farrell
of Athenry fourth. GCH and Castlegar AC both fielded ladies teams placing 15th
and 19th overall.
Back L to R Eanna Folan, Jack Maher, Neill Keane, Matteo Sellari, Antoine Joal, John Morrissey, Mike Kerrin, David Carter and Gearoid O'Connor.
Front L to R Keith Fallon, Sean Folan , James Frizzell, Niall Murphy, Conor Deane, Kieron Whyte.
In the Men’s race over 6km NUI Galway
student Donal Devane was the star of the show winning the Novice Men’s race in
the colours of his club Ennis Track.
James Frizzell of GCH had the run of his
life to place sixth overall, with good runs also from Damien O’Boyle of
Craughwell and David Carter of GCH. Galway County men's team won bronze in the
Novice Men’s county competition via Frizzell, D O’Boyle, Kevin Mooney, Jack
Miskella, Mark Davis and Jack Maher.
GCH men's and Craughwell’s teams were
always in contention for club honours, with Craughwell popping the city club on
count back to fifth ahead of GCH in sixth. South Galway and Castlegar AC also
fielded strong teams to place 14th and 21st overall respectively
Fixtures
There will be a busy series of Athletics
fixtures over the Christmas and New Year period.
The charity fundraising Goal Mile takes
place in Dangan on Christmas morning from 10 am to 1pm.
The annual Fields of Athenry 10k race
will be held in Athenry at 11 am on St Stephens Day 26th December with
registration open on line on www.athenry10k.com
The Resolution Run over 5km takes place
at 11 am in Galway City, with registration available on https://www.njuko.net/resolution-run,
and race headquarters is at the Claddagh Hall on South Park.
