The Munster Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Championships were held on Sunday 22nd October in Clarecastle, Co. Clare. Following some very heavy rainfall on Saturday the course was very wet and muddy. Although great efforts were made by stewards to keep the course clear, there was no avoiding the mud.
We had four of our juvenile athletes competing. First up was Diarmuid Kirwan in the U12 2000m race. This was two small laps. Diarmuid did very well with almost 150 boys competing he finished in 65th place.
Shauna McCarthy U14 3000m was our only girl competing. The course was 1 small lap and one large lap. Shauna who won the county U14 & U15 XC races was in part of the main group after the first lap. Slowly the athletes began to spread out as the wet & muddy course began to take its toll. With 1000m to go, Shauna still looking very strong took the lead and began to inject some speed. No one else was able to follow and Shauna won the U14 race with plenty to spare.
Cian Spillane and Malachy Kirwan represented the club in the U14 boys race. From the start Cian was part of the lead group changing front positions throughout the course. With 400m to go the gold medal was between Cian and another. Cian made a break in the last 200m but was unable to shake his competition off. Cian had to settle for a well deserved second place. Malachy, who is most suited to the shorter distances, ran a very gutsy race and finished very strong 32nd. Congratulations to all four of you. Shauna and Cian will now go forward to represent Munster in the National Cross Country in November.
The Autumn Open International Cross Country was held on Sunday 22nd October at the National Sports Campus, Abbottstown. The event showcased Ireland’s talent from junior level right up to the masters along with a selection of international runners. The combined women's race of 6000m distance was also part of the Masters Irish Team selection for the British & Irish Masters Championships. Maria McCarthy, who has represented Ireland on two occasions ran very well to finish 6th place in the O40, with Marie McKenna 14th & Grainne Tierney 19th. Caitriona Barry was 9th & Bernie O'Mahony 13th in the O45.
In the men's 7,500m Dermot Dineen was 27th in the O35 & Jerome Foley 14th in O50. They both ran very well and enjoyed the experience competing with some of the best runners in Ireland.
Club Training:
Juvenile Training is on every Tuesday 6pm and Thursdays 6:30pm in Farranfore GAA grounds. Open to all registered juveniles aged 8yrs (Born 2007) and upwards. This will be in preparation for the Cross Country Championships €2 per session.
Maria's Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise Classes every Tuesday starting @ 7pm at the Sports Hall in Farranfore. €5 per class
Secondary School/Junior / Senior training on every Thursday at 6:30pm in GAA grounds Farranfore. This is endurance training for cross country preparation. €2 club member, €4 non club member.
Athletic's Fixtures
Sunday 29th Oct.: AAI National Marathon Championships, Dublin
Sunday 12th November : Munster Juvenile Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships, in Galbally, Tipperary
Saturday 18th Nov.: British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships, Derry
Sunday 19th Nov.: Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club Cross Country Championships, Riverstick, Cork
Sunday 26th Nov.: AAI Senior, Junior & Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships, Abbottstown
Sunday 3rd December: Munster Juvenile "B", Junior & Intermediate Cross Country Championships, Kerry (T.B.C)
Sunday 17th December: National Uneven ages, Novice WIT, Waterford
Please contact club secretary, Mary, 085-1909509 to register for competitions in advance
See Kerry & Munster Athletics website for full fixture lists & timetable for events.