GCH - 4th team at the National U13 Cross Country
L to R Rachel Fahy, Isabella Burke, Ava McKeon, Leana Ni Dhonncha, Aoibhe Joyce and Clodagh Quirke.
The National Juvenile Uneven Ages, and Novice Cross Country Championships, were held on a demanding, hilly and muddy course at Waterford IT yesterday.
Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC took pride of place among the Galway athletes competing, in winning National bronze in the U19 Girls with a strong run over the testing 4km circuit. Ryan has trained and raced very well all season and this result was a well-earned breakthrough at National level for her.
Tuam AC had a number of squads competing, with their Under 11 Boys team placing fourth team home, just off a team medal, with great runs from the entire squad. Individually, Sean Cotter of Craughwell AC ran superbly to place fifth at U15 level, as did his clubmate Ben Ryan, placing eighth overall in the U17 event with a well-paced race.
Isabella Burke of GCH put in a tremendous performance in the U13 Girls with a 10th place finish, with the GCH U13 Girls team, the current County and Connacht Champions just outside the medals in 4th place.
At senior level, GCH fielded a Men’s team in the hugely competitive National Novice, with mountain runner Andrew O’Donnghaile in his element, running a storming race to place ninth overall less than forty seconds off the winner.
GCH placed 16th team with Talon Thompson, Neill Keane, Michael Kerrin, Brian Bruton and Niall Murphy all competing for the city team. In the Ladies race Galway native Caoimhe Daniels formerly with GCH, won the Novice ladies team title with Sportsworld AC of Dublin, while Catherine Thornton of Spiddal, running with Crusaders won a bronze team medal.
Baseline Meet at Athlone IT
Several of Galway’s top sprinters and middle-distance runners opened their Indoor season with good performances at the Baseline Meet in Athlone IT last Wednesday.
Jack Dempsey of GCH won his heat in the 150m in 16.88 and was third in the 60m in 7.02, while clubmate Diego Brule also impressed winning a 150m heat. Nicole King also GCH ran a fast 150m to take second and a PB over 300m of 40.75 to place third, while Aisling Joyce of NUI Galway won the Ladies 1000m race in a fast 3.04.
Christmas Athletics Events
The following upcoming road race fixtures will take place in Galway over the festive period
The famous Athenry 10 km takes place St Stephens Day at 11 am, with race entry still available online on athenryac.com
The annual Resolution Run 5km takes place New Year’s Day at 11.30 am, routing through Galway City and along Grattan Road, with Race HQ at the Claddagh Hall. Entries are open on Active.com.
