Just like last year at Clonakilty, Leevale athletes took top honours in the senior events at the County Cross Country Championships, held on a tough course at Cloyne today. Both Lizzie Lee and Mark Hanrahan successfully defended their titles from last year in impressive fashion and both led their teams to medal positions, the women’s team just missing out on gold to Eagle, and the men’s team taking bronze.
In the women’s race, Lizzie Lee started conservatively but upped the pace from the half-way mark to win well from Carmel Crowley of Bandon. Carmel Parnell had a superb race to take 4th. Jessica Vonhatten and Áine Murphy completed the Leevale four in 11th and 13th positions.
Mark Hanrahan was always in command in the men’s event, pulling away early on from the East Cork pair, Seán McGrath and James McCarthy. The rest of the Leevale team packed well, with Thomas Maunsell 11th, Donal Coffey and Chris Harrington 15th and 16th respectively, but having just one finisher in the top 10 meant the team could take only 3rd in the overall standings, behind host club East Cork, and Togher.
Although there was a large Leevale turnout for the senior events, the club had no competitors in the junior events.
 Lizzie Lee |
 Donal Coffey just ahead of Chris Harrington |
More photos from Gearóid Ó Laoi here