The 2008 running of the Cork County Senior & Junior Cross Country Championships were held in cool, bright conditions in Watergrasshill today. Though numbers were small overall, there was some competitive racing and team competitions on a course that was tough but fair.
Leevale had a 1-2 in the Junior Women’s competition, with Andrea Bickerdyke winning well, ahead of Aisling Gould. It was great to see Leevale representation in an event where all clubs struggle to get athletes out.
In the Junior Men’s, Leevale’s representatives were Denis Metcalfe and Adrian O’Leary. Denis, on the comeback trail after an injury layoff, was a bit below par in finishing 13th. Adrian finished a couple of places further back in 15th.
Leevale had no representation in the Senior Women’s event, but more than made up for it by fielding A and B teams in the Senior Men’s! Mark Hanrahan, who was unlucky not to make the team for the European Cross Country Championships which was taking place at the same time, showed his true club colours and eased to a facile victory. James Grufferty showed well throughout the race, but slipped back a couple of places near the end. His 9th place finish was a good run nonetheless. George Boyle has been an exciting newcomer to the team this year and ran very well in the National Novice Championships last week. Today he continued his good form, mixing it experienced athletes of the Cork athletics scene throughout, finishing in an impressive 14th. Leevale’s fourth scorer was the evergreen John Collins in 25th. The Leevale ‘A’ team were unlucky to finish 4th, level on points with St. Finbarr’s but just beaten by them on countback. East Cork again won the team event from Togher, who were 10 points ahead of St. Finbarr’s and Leevale. The Leevale ‘B’ team, comprising Kieran Collins, Cillian Ó Tuama, John Hallahan, and Batt Kearney, finished third in their grade.
Full results available from the Cork County Board.
Congratulations to Carraig na bhFear A.C. for their organisation of the event on the day, as well as the course itself and the excellent facilities at Kartworld.
