The first of the county under-age cross country championships were held yesterday in Conna. The host club’s organising commitee did a tremendous job. Parking facilities were ideal and the course was excellent so great credit is due to these people.
The first race on the programme was the girls under 10. Kaitlyn Coffey was making her debut for Leevale and she ran a great race to finish 2nd. Ali Murphy was also making her debut and ran a very good race in the girls under 12. Louise Shanahan ran a superb race in the girls under 14, finishing in 3rd position, ably backed up by Taylor Murphy and Eimear Hallahan.
Aisling Hanrahan led home our under 16 girls in a great 4th position and with great running by Kate Henry, Sophie Collins, and Rachel Ahern, won the gold medals.
Our under 18 girls also struck gold, led home by the Neville twins in 4th and 5th, with Melaine Hyde 6th, Una Buckley 7th as well as Sarah Fitzpatrick and Fiona Hallanhan who also ran strong races.
James Mintern went in the boys under 12 race and finished in a very respectable 7th position. Matthew Murnane ran a great race in 7th position to lead our under 14 boys and, with great backing by David Fox, Barry Shanahan and Colm Dwane, just missed out on team medals. Spencer Lynch had his first ever cross country race in the boys U10 and, in a very large field, finished strongly in 25th position.
The under 18 boys race was a high standard affair, with Leevale finishing 2nd in the team event, led home superbly by Chris Mintern in 3rd, Philip Crowley in 4th and backed by the Devine Twins in 9th and 14th.
24 athletes in all started for Leevale and 24 athletics finished which is a great achievement. Next Sunday the second day of the under-age championships takes place in Carrignavar.