Three Individual and Three Club Titles Crowns Great Day of Cross Country Running
It was a great day at the Friary last Sunday. The weather was kind and the large numbers competing led to some great races and augers well for the future of cross country running in Waterford.
West Waterford Athletic Club was well represented as over fifty young athletes turned up to compete for their club. There was also strong representation from Ferrybank, K.C.K., An Gaeltacht, Waterford A.C., and Tramore A.C. and this ensured keen competition in all the team races.
Gold for under 10 Girls
There was a very large field in the under 10 girls race which set off at a very fast pace. West Waterford athletes challenged from the start and the lead changed several with a small group of athletes making a great surge to the finish. Rachel Wyley was first home for West Waterford in 5th with Caoimhe Dwyer 6th and Aisling Mullanney 7th not far behind her. When Emily Quinn crossed the line in 10th place the time title was secured.
Silver and Bronze for under 10 Boys
The boys under 10 were next in action and again the race took off at a fast pace. Tony Collins showing the benefits of his training over the last few weeks led the boys home in 7th place, hot on his heels were Kevin Crossan 8th and Aidan Mc Kenna 9th and these three combined with John Curran 11th to take second team prize. Further medals were earned by Ryan O’Neill 12th, Eric Keating 14th, James Cotter 16th and Glenn O’Connor 17th who finished 3rd in the team race.
Lorraine Brea takes Individual and Leads under 12s to Team Title
The under 12 girls showed some great team running to take the county title. Lorraine Brea and Gemma Wyley were up with the leading bunch from the start, and there was very little between the top four athletes. In the sprint for the line Lorraine Brea managed to get that yard ahead which saw her take her first county title. Supported by Gemma Wyley 4th, Sarah Wyley 6th, and Cliona Ryan 11th, this quartet took the county title from Ferrybank.
Bronze for under 12 Boys
The under 12 boys made sure that they too would be among the medal winners when they finished 3rd in the team race. They were led home by Tholm Reddy 6th with newcomer Sean Curran 8th, Richard Casey 11th and Eoin Dywer 14th. This was a very good run by a team that were all competing a year out of their age and we look forward to seeing them in the under 11 event next Sunday.
Kate Veale and David Early make it a Double under 14
There was further success in both the girls and boys under 14 when first Kate Veale and then David Early had decisive victories in their respective races. Kate also led her team to the silver medal with Leann Herlihey 7th, Cara Mullanney 8th, and Kate Hickey 10th making up the other scorers. It was a pity we did not have a team in the under 14 boys as with David Early first and Cian Ryan fourth a team victory was well within their grasp.
Team Title for under 16 Girls
The under 16 girls team once again underlined the improvement they have made over the last few months with a decisive win in the team race. Claire Collins led the way home this week finishing second in the race just ahead of Rebecca Maher in third, not far behind were Clodagh Gallagher 5th and Kate Kennedy 8th. The boys under 16 also missed out on the team title as they had only three scoring members on the day but they provided us with one of the most exciting and well-contested finishes on the day. Going out into the second lap Daniel Mc Carthy was in second place but Brian Hallissey and Joe Conway were working together to close the gap. Half through the lap they overtook Daniel but he fought back to overtake the pair with about 500m to go, however Brian and Joe were not finished and came with a great sprint with the finishing line in sight. Daniel held on to take his second place and Brian got the better of Joe in the race for the bronze medal. They will renew their friendly rivalry next week.
Under 18’s round off a good day
There was some very strong competition in the girls under 18 but Jenny Hurley and Stacey Lyons got stuck in to the task in hand to finish 9th and 10th. In the final race of the day Mark Shalloe finished third and Declan Power in his first race for the club completed the 6,000m to finish 9th.
Other West Waterford performance on the day were
Under 10 girls: Darina Shanley 15, Chloe Beeher 17, Rachel Morrissey 18,
Clodagh Dwyer 20, Ellen Curran 21, Niamh Campbell 22, Erica Crotty 23,
Sarah Morrissey 27, Jade Morrissey 28, Katie Collins 36, Niamh Moore 38.
Under 12 girls: Shannon O’Brien 12, Dominique O’Mahoney 21, Sarah Jane Smith 25, Holly Mc Grath 26.
Under 12 boys; Shane Nugent 15.
Under 14 girls: Una Mc Grath 14.
Under 16 girls; Colleen Whelan 9, Lisa Houlihan 14.
Session Two of the County Championships Next Weekend
The second part of the county championships under 9,11,13,15,17, will take part next Sunday in the Friary. We look forward to an equally large turn out. All meet in the Friary at 12.30.
Easons League to Start Soon
The very popular winter league organised by Tony Shalloe and this year once again sponsored by Easons will get under way on Friday 19th at 4p.m. This is a race for athletes of all ages and abilities as it is against yourself you compete trying to improve your own time each week. The league will run over six week and there will be plenty of prizes for teams and individuals on offer at the end of the league.
On Wednesday 17th training will move back to 4pm as it will be to dark to train at six.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Wednesday 10th Oct Table Quiz in Merrys 9pm
Sunday 14th October County Championships Friary meet 12.30
Wednesday 17th Oct Training at 4pm
Friday 19th October Easons League starts at 4pm
Sunday 21st October First round of the Munster Championships Limerick Venue —Bilboa A.C.
