Text by David Butler. Photos by David Kissane
It was team medal success for the adults and juveniles at Day 3 of the county cross country championships. The men’s novice team of John Lane, Jim O’Meara, Darren Kenny and Fearghal Grimes brought home bronze team medals with Sophie Norris and Noreen Stack running in the women’s race.
To the relays and it was a great start with the U10 boys team off first where Oisín Cashell, Jack Feehan, Tadhg Quille, James Sheehy had a strong performance across the legs of their race. Their combined run saw James bring the boys home in third place to win a bronze medal in one of the largest races of the day.
Next then it was the turn of the two U10 girls team running for the club, on the A team it was Ashleigh McCarthy, Grace Winter, Hollie McKenna & Niamh McGuckin and the B team it was Roisin Flaherty, Muireann O’Sullivan, Amanda Connell Meabh O’Sullivan. Both teams featuring two U9s running stepping up an age to run. Niamh was the first St Brendan’s girl across the line as her team placed 4th just outside the medals. Meabh running the final leg for her team as they finished just close to a top 10 finish.
U12 boys next to the start line as the races ran off quickly in the bright morning sun, Fionn Cashell leading off for the U12 boys before passing to Brandon Scanlon. Brandon gaining a number of positions on his leg using his trademark fast kick from the track. The boys were in 3rd place now at the changeover before the baton passed to Daniel Collins who held his position well before
passing to Jack Sheehy to bring the team home for the bronze medal.
Our two U12 girls' teams, towed the line together. In the A team it was Éabha Cowan, Einín Lawlor, Emma O’Flaherty; Grace McGuckin and in the B team it was Lily Mai Scanlon, Aisling O’Driscoll,
Lillie Feehan and Holly O’Driscoll. Again such was the interest in the relays the club was able to field two teams in this age group with two U11s stepping up for each team. Each athlete gave all for
their teammates to try gain positions across the legs. Grace McGuckin crossed the finish line first for the club as that team placed 4th and Holly O’Driscoll brought home the baton for her team just outside the top 10.
The final action for the club came in the U14 boys race where Corey O’Carroll, Seán Collins, John McCarthy; Conor Slattery lined up. Corey lead off the team with the boys in 2nd after the first
changeover, Sean taking on the baton then keeping the intensity of the run going for the team before passing over to John. John closed ground on the leaders before passing to Conor who
worked steadily throughout his leg and put pressure on the leading team in the finishing tunnel. In the end was 2nd place for the team and a strong result given two athletes on the team were
running out of age.
That closed out the juvenile championships for the club where we placed 4th for the 2nd year in a row but with an improved points total, increased participation at training and competition and
more medals won in the discipline which is a nice trend! Thanks to our club coaches preparing the athletes for the championships since mid-August and for supporting them on the day.
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