Galway Cross Country Championships
Day one of the Galway cross country championships was held in beautiful sunshine in the Palace Ground sin Tuam Sunday last, and there were some superb races on the busy programme.
In the main event of the day, Brian O’Connor of Galway City Harriers took the County senior cross country title for the first time after an epic battle with Peter O’Sullivan of Craughwell AC. The Moycullen man produced one of his best ever performances, picking off athletes throughout the race, to take the prestigious County senior title ahead of O’Sullivan and Timmy Jones of GCH in third and first veteran. Joe Tannian of GCH took overall race honours and the County junior title with an impressive display of front running. GCH took the Men’s team title.
Eanna Folan of GCH won the U18 title ahead of Gary Martyn, and is one to watch at National level this season
In the ladies championships, Jean O’Connor of GCH took a well-earned Senior title with Margaret Kilkenny of Ballinasloe and District AC claiming the Master’s gold, Ballinasloe AC took Ladies team gold
Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC won the U18 girls event from the front, finishing ahead of Aoife King of GCH.
At U16 level, there were impressive wins for Sarah Gilhooley of Athenry AC in the girls and rising star Aaron Brennan of GCH in the Boys event.
In the U14s, Emma Moore of GCH continues to impress, taking victory after a storming last lap to come just ahead of clubmate Eimear Rowe, with Sean Cotter of Craughwell AC taking the U 14 Boys title just ahead of Rory Fitzpatrick of Athenry AC. GCH took the Girls team win with Craughwell taking the boys title
At U12 level Ava McKeon of GCH took the girls title, with Mark O’Halloran of Athenry AC claiming the boys win GCH took the Girls team honours with Craughwell taking the boy’s title.
Laoise McGrath of Loughrea AC won the U 10 girls race, while Enda Keane of East Galway AC surged to victory in the U10 Boys event. Craughwell AC won the Girls team gold, while Tuam AC took a well-deserved gold in the Boys race.
Galway Bay Half marathon, 10k, and marathon
The Galway Bay series of races was held in beautiful sunshine in Salthill on Saturday last
Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers won the marathon in a superb time of 2 hrs 25, well clear of Brendan Hession of Mayo AC in second in 2 hrs 50 and Kevin Ward third in 2.55. First lady home was Rachel Stokes in 3hrs 14 mins.
Mark Dooley of Donore Harriers took a clear win in the half marathon, clocking 71 minutes for victory, ahead of Trevor Connolly and Gearoid Hynes, while Ann Lennon of Mayo AC won the ladies section in 1hr 24 mins with Grainne Ni Uallachain and Siobhan Egan of GCH next home.
Raheny athlete Freddy Keron Sittuk won a hard fought 10k, beating Conor Dooney by just seven seconds, clocking 31.18 to Dooney’s 31.25. Kenny Rogers of St John’s AC placed third. First lady home was Siobhan O Doherty of Borrisokane AC in a fast 35.05 with GCH athlete Neasa Coll second in 36.24 and Norah Newcombe third
County Road 10k championships
The County 10k championships will be held at 4pm on Saturday 8 October in Carna, Conamara, Registration is from 2:00-3:30pm in Óstán Charna. Prizes: 1/2 Man and Woman, 1 Man and Woman over 40, 1st Man and Woman over 50. This race is being organised by Cumann Lúthchleas Chonamara in conjunction with Oireachtas na Gaeilge. The race has an AI permit. Register online below €20 or on the day. Techie ‘Na Rásaí’ t-shirt for the first 100 who register. County medals for the first three home and masters in each category.
Cross Country fixtures
The Galway Cross country championships second day is fixed for Sunday 9th October, when the Uneven Juvenile Ages (U9-U19) will take place at South Park in the Claddagh in Galway from 1pm