Galway did an historic double at The National Inter-County Cross Country championships held in Tuam last Sunday Feb 14th last, winning the team titles in both Senior Men and Senior Ladies events. It is the first time in 30 years the county has won a National senior cross country championships, and there were great celebrations in the Palace Grounds arena in Tuam as the races unfolded and victory for the home team was secured.
The Men’s team led by Captain Gerry Carty were always in control of proceedings in the team race, beating second placed Donegal by a big margin. Sean Hehir of Clare pipped local favourite Gary Thornton for the individual title in an epic duel upfront, with Brian McMahon of Dublin third. Thornton was well supported by John Moroney of GCH, Tuam man Brian Furey of Rathfarnham , Matt Bidwell and Michael O’Connor both of GCH, and Craughwell’s Peadar Harvey, the scoring top six home for Galway, with the remaining team members of Ruadhri Geraghty, Gary Higgins, Damien Larkin and Carty the captain all running well.
Galway women’s squad had a much tougher battle for team honours, and just pipped a strong Kerry team by two points for overall victory. Shona Heaslip of Kerry, a current Irish international, showed her class in winning the race well, but Laura Shaughnessy of Galway, herself a former cross country international proved she is back to top form by securing a national silver medal, ahead of Sligo’s Sarah Doohan. Kathryn Casserly of Castlegar AC produced a great display placing fourth, and GCH’s Niamh Hennelly and Athenry AC’s Deirdre Brophy, both ran strongly to make the top four team scorers after a titanic team battle. They were ably backed up by fellow squad members Grainne Ni Uallachain, Siobhan Egan, Jean O’Connor, Sinead Brody and Ann Marie Miskell.
The Junior men’s team won silver, just being pipped by Mayo, with Joe Tannian of GCH winning a superb bronze medal, and his team- mates , Damien O’Boyle of Craughwell, Eanna Folan, and Gary Martyn of GCH, Jack Maher of Connemara AC and Brian Burke of Ballinasloe AC all deserving great credit after a strong team performance. The junior ladies team also won National silver with Aoife King and Aoife Sheehy of GCH, and Shannon Lee and Sarah Gilhooley of Athenry the four scorers.
Team manager Ian Egan and head coach Matt Lockett were understandably delighted after such superb performances, and Tuam AC and the Galway County Board must be commended on organising a great event on a true cross country course
Gort 8km
Kenny Rogers of St John’s AC in Clare secured an easy win in the Gort 8k held Sunday by South Galway AC, winning by nearly three minutes from Leevale’s, Mark Walsh and Greg Lundon in second and third. Yvonne Fehily took the ladies honours, from Loretta Duggan and Deirdre Devane respectively.
Kilconieron 5 Mile race 21st February next
2016 will be the 8th year of the Kilconieron Charity Run 5 Mile Road Race and each year all proceeds from the event are donated to a charity. This year’s nominated charity is once again Athenry Cancer Care. The organisers look forward to welcoming a big crowd to Kilconieron on Sunday 21st February 2016. Walkers are very welcome. The entry fee is €10 for walkers and €15 for runners.