The Connacht Cross Country Championships at club level was the feature event last weekend as Even Age Juveniles and Adult Senior championships were held in Drumshanbo, Leitrim. A true cross-country test, with testing hills and mud throughout, met the close on 500 athletes who competed over the course of an eventful day.
At Senior level, Galway secured a double victory, with Jamie Fallon of Craughwell AC taking gold in the Men’s race over an arduous 8km, and Ellen Moran of GCH winning the Ladies' equivalent over 6km.
Fallon skipped away in the later stages of the race to claim victory from chasing duo Finlay Daly of Sligo AC and John Moroney of GCH, both of whom put in solid shifts to share the podium with the talented Craughwell man.
Top 3 Men pictured (L to R) Finley Daly, Sligo AC, 2nd; winner Jamie Fallon of Craughwell AC, and 3rd John Moroney GCH
Ellen Moran was untroubled as she continued her good early season form, winning from Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC in second and Aoibhin Flatley of Swinford AC in third. Leah Toher of GCH claimed the Junior Ladies title over 4km ahead of South Galway athlete Roisin Geaney.
At Juvenile level, Galway had multiple qualifiers for the upcoming National championships in Donegal, with those in the top 12 in each race, plus the top three club and county teams, all going forward to Sunday, November 20th finals.
Notable performances at Juvenile level came via a superb win for Aaron Byrne of East Galway AC at U12 Boys level, while at U14 level, the girls of Tuam AC won gold, with Eimear Fallon leading them home in third place overall, while GCH won team bronze. In the U14 Boys event, Luke Walsh was a super second for South Galway, with Stevie Joyce of Craughwell AC third
Tuam AC girls swept the boards in the U16 girl's team competition with gold and silver, while individually Eva Ruane had a great run for silver for Ballinasloe and District AC, with Savanagh O Callaghan third for Tuam
At U16 Boys level, Declan O Connell ran strongly for Silver, while Mathys Bocquet also of Craughwell won bronze in the U18 Boys race.
This weekend sees the final day of the Adult Senior League competition and the Juvenile Uneven Ages championships, and these take place in Roscommon Racecourse on Sunday next 13th November
Corofin 8k and 10 Mile races
Corofin AC hosted their annual series of road races last Sunday, November 6th, with large fields across both 8km and 10 Mile events
David Callaghan from Tallaght AC was a clear winner of the 10 Mile event, clocking 56.04 for the win, ahead of Shane Begley of Castlegar AC in second and Diarmuid Hennessey of GCH in third
First lady home was Kate Kelly of Athlone AC in a fast 60.53, with clubmate Emer Gaffey second and Aine Kenny third.
In the 8km, first over the line was Michael Canty of Moy Valley AC in 27.44, with Peter Gaffey second for GCH and Ed Maher third. In the Ladies, GCH took a clean sweep, via Emma Rowe, in first in 31.54, with Michelle Browne second and Judith Campbell third
