The Galway Cross country championships for Uneven Juvenile Ages (U9-U19), were held in superb weather conditions on a flat and firm cross country course in South Park in the Claddagh in Sunday last.
In the main event of the day, Oisin Lyons of Craughwell AC took the County U17 Boys title and led his club to the team title. Jack Miskella also of Craughwell won the U 19 gold.
In the Ladies, Aoife King of GCH produced a top class run to win the U19 title, with Sarah Gilhooley of Athenry AC taking the U17 girls honours.
At U15 level, there was an impressive win for Eimear Rowe of Galway City Harriers in the girls, while the U15 Boys race was the highlight of the day and saw Eoghan Jennings of Galway City Harriers just beat his club-mates Cillian Jordan and Barry Murphy in a very exciting three-way battle over 3500m. GCH won team gold in both races.
In the U13s, Emma Moore of GCH won yet another county gold with a great display of front running, with Rory Fitzpatrick of Athenry AC just pipping Darragh Jennings of Galway City Harriers in a fantastic boys’ race. GCH took the Girls team win with Athenry AC taking the boys title.
At U11 level Aoibheann Fitzpatrick of Ballinasloe and District AC took the girls title, while Mathias Bocquet of Craughwell acclaimed the boy’s gold. South Galway AC took the Girls team honours with Tuam AC taking the boy’s team gold home.
Amelie Bocquet of Craughwell AC won the U 9 girls race, while Dara Costello of Galway City Harriers surged to victory in the U9 Boys event. Craughwell AC won both the Girls and Boys team gold.
County Road 10k championships
Fergal Walsh of Athenry AC was a deserving winner of the County 10k championships will be held Saturday last in Carna, Conamara, clocking 35.32 for a first County title. Sean Burke of Tuam AC ran strongly to take second in 36.11 with Neil O Leary third. First lady home and county winner was Deirdre Brophy of Athenry AC in a fast time of 39. 47.
Fixtures
Cross Country
This weekend sees the Connacht Primary Schools finals take place in Sligo IT grounds on Saturday. The Connacht senior league day one will also be held Saturday in Sligo racecourse, with Ladies going over 4k and the Men taking on an 8k course.
On Sunday the first major national event takes place, the Autumn Open, on the new National cross country course in Abbotstown in Dublin. This race attracts many of the top juniors and seniors, and also acts as the trial for the Masters home international. Many of Galway’s top athletes will be running in a season opener at this level, including juniors Eanna Folan and Joe Tannian, as well as elite ladies from GCH in Niamh Hennelly and Kathryn Casserly and some of Galway’s stalwart veterans including Martin McEvilly and Seamus Leddy of GCH.
Moylough 10k
Runners of all ages will be heading to Moylough on Sunday October 16 for the North East Galway 10k/5k which this year also includes a 1.5k run for children.
The North East Galway 10/5k has been organised over the last five years by the Moylough Community Council, but this year it is being run by Moylough 79 FC soccer club.
The main event, the 10k, kicks off at 12 noon, and there is a 5k at 11am and a children’s 1.5k fun run at 10:30am.