| The UCC Farm at Curraheen Road proved an ideal venue for the Munster intermediate and vets cross country championships on Sunday. In the intermediate race William Harty, just seventeen years of age, was first to lead in this 8k race. Half way through the first lap Leevale’s Bryan Keane was hot in pursuit, although he is only just back from a snmow boarding trip to Austria, where running obviously came second to other pursuits!! The lack of training certainly was evident as Keane was unable to maintain his challenge. Michael Hassett from Tipperary was first to pass, along with Arthur Fitzgerald from Kerry. With 2k to go Josh Palmer from St. Finbarrs ran fastest of all, going into second place. However, he misjudged the lap count and thought he was about to finish. He faded on the final lap to finish fourth, with Keane third, Fitzgerald second, and Harty a decisive winner. Darren Keenan, back running after ‘retiring’ at the end of a four year scholarship stint in Boston College, started off strongly, but faded a little to finish a good 8th. A few months ago he was unrecognisable, but now is fast returning to his right weight/size, and it shouldn’t be too long before he is back in winning form. His brother David also ran, along with Gerry Murphy, Batt Kearney, and Liam Horgan. John O’Leary again won the over 60 title. Leevale were fourth team behind Togher. There was another great performance from Carmel Parnell in the combined womens intermediate and vets race. Carmel McCarthy from West Cork blazed into the lead from the start, leaving the others to fight for the minor places. Carmel Parnell moved into second place at the halfway mark and ran on strongly to take second, one place ahead of Caroline Daly from East Cork, and a former member of the Western Kentucky squad. |