The first National Cross Country Championships of the season took place on Sunday 24th November in The Sports Center Abbotstown, Dublin. The course was soft, following some very heavy rain during the week. Underfoot was challenging throughout the 1500m lap and was a test of athletes strength and endurance.
Shauna McCarthy competed in the U16 4000m and was part of the Munster team. With close to 140 athletes fighting for positions the pace out of the tunnels was very fast with each girl trying to get ahead before the course began to narrow in. Shauna had a good start and was well inside the top half of the group. After the first short lap the line extended as most began to find the course very tasking. Shauna persevered and kept gaining positions throughout. She finished in 34th place overall and 7th for Munster. Well done.
Mary Daly was part of the Senior Women's county team. The other team members were Grace Lynch (Iveragh), Niamh Clifford (Star Of The Laune) & Niamh O'Sullivan (An Riocht). Competing with the best athletes in the country, the likes of Finnula Britton & Michelle Finn, over 8K distance was going to be a challenge. Mary paced herself very well over the five laps and did very well to finish in 42nd place. The second scorer for Kerry who finished 6th county team.
166 athletes lined up for the final race of the day. This was the Senior Men's 10K, 7 lap race. By now the course was well trodden, so no avoiding the by now heavy and sticky mud. Two athletes from Kerry lined up with the top Irish athletes fighting for positions to gain qualification for the European XC in December. Our own George McCarthy & Conor O'Mahony (An Riocht AC). Again the pace from start was fast, As each lap passed the athletes were spread throughout the 1500m lap, each battling for team positions. George finished in 130th place, and Conor had a great race, finishing 34th. Results_Senior_Men
Well done to Shauna, Mary & George for representing club, county & province admirably.
Next Sunday, 1st Dec., we have Munster Intermediate & Juvenile "B's" in Turnpike Co. Tipperary. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 27th Nov.
Club Training:
Maria's Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise Classes from 7pm at the Sports Hall in Farranfore. Class is designed for all abilities from secondary school upwards. €5 per class.
Thursday Nights from 6:30pm for Seniors and juveniles competing in Munster & National Cross Country. Grass Session on GAA Field Farranfore €2
Athletic's Fixtures
Sun 1st Dec.: Munster Juv "B" & IntermediateXC, Turnpike Tipperary
Sun 1st Dec: An Riocht 5K, Castleisland
Sun 15th Dec.: National Juv. Uneven Age & Novice XC, Dunboyne
Thur. 26th Dec.: Farranfore St. Stephens 2K & 5K, Farranfore
Please contact club secretary, Mary, 085-1909509 to register for competitions in advance
See Kerry & Munster Athletics website for full fixture lists & timetable for event