Sinead Flynn wins first Munster Cross Country Title
On a muddy and windswept field in west Clare that tested every athletes strength and stamina Sinead Flynn strode her way to victory in the Munster under 11 cross-country championships. Three weeks ago when competing under 12 she won her first Munster medal and from that run we knew she would be in the shake up for individual honours in her own age group. Yesterday she ran with maturity beyond her years staying well up with the pace in second place for most of the race. With the finish almost in sight she made a bold bid for victory and won the race by almost 50m. This is Sinead’s first season competing in cross-country so it was a great achievement to win on Sunday. In the same race there was also a great run by Lorna Cummins. Three week ago Lorna finished in 96th place but last Sunday she ran with much greater conviction and improved a whopping 80 places to finish 16th. Also well up in the race was Kate Mc Grath in 24th place and with Aisling 50th, Darina Shanley 61st and Niamh Leamy 88th the team finished in third place in a very tight race where only 10pts separated the first three teams. Our youngest and only competitor in the under 9 race was Aine Flynn who ran well to finish in 38th place.
Another Munster Medal for Michael Power
Michael Power added another Munster medal to his growing collection with a fine run in the boys under 11 race. Always in the first ten Michael finished strongly to take 9th place. Eoin O’ Brien was another athlete who has shown huge improvement in the last few week and he came home 17th , Oisin O’Mahoney was also in better form as he finished 41st and with Mark Twomey 72nd and Oran Leamy 99th the team just missed the medals finishing 4th.
Impressive Running from Sean Curran
Sean Curran made his way steadily through the field in the boys under 13 race. At the end of the first lap he was in 19th place by the time they came around for the second time he had moved up to 13th. He came with a very strong finish that saw him move up into 8th and claim an individual medal. In the same race Tholm Reddy finishe 32nd and newcomer Darach o’Cathasaigh placed 53rd. Cliona Ryan continues to show improvement with every outing this year and last Sunday she continued the trend with an impressive run that saw her finish in 16th place. Aisling Prendergast placed 51st just two places ahead of Gemma Wyley in 53rd and Dominique O’Mahoney in 79th. The county team finished just outside the medals in 4th place.
Kate Veale continues to show good form
In the crowded burst at the start of the race Kate found herself at the back of the field but running with her usual determination she made her way steadily through the field to finish 4th in a very strong field. Lucy O’ Brien finished 35th with an improving Una Mc Grath just 10 places behind in 45th. In the boys under 16 our first athlete home was David Earley in 36th place just three places ahead of an improving Robbie Muligan, Einne O’Casathaigh held off Cian Dwyer as the finished 53rd and 58th with Cian Ryan two places further back in 60th.
Silver for under 17 Girls
West Waterford claimed their second team prize of the day when the under 17 girls won silver in the inter club event. They were led home by Edel Roche who gave it her all and finished 13th, not far behind was Rebecca Maher 21st and newcomer Nicola Coffey surprised us all by finishing 22nd with Claire Collins 26th and Kate Kennedy 33rd it was clear that they would be in the shake up for the medals.
Bronze for Joe Conway and Lughaidh O’Mahoney
In the boys under 17 the Waterford county team finished in third position and West Waterford supplied two of the scoring six. Joe Conway ran consistently throughout the race to finish 16th with Lughaidh O’ Mahoney improving on his run of three weeks go and finishing in 39th.
Long Trip Worthwhile for Elma
Elma Nugent made the trip home from Cardiff to compete in the Munster Championships and her efforts were rewarded with a fine run that saw her finish in 4th place and claim an individual and also score as a member of the Waterford team that took gold in the inter county event. After the race it was back to Cardiff to continue her studies but she will return in early December to compete in the national championships.
Well done to all who competed and those who travelled with them it was a long and cold day but your efforts were rewarded with some memorable performances.
Easons Cross Country League
The times have been dropping and the numbers competing increasing in the Easons league each week. Each Wednesday there is huge interest at the notice board as our young athletes check their times and the placings of their teams.
County B Championships
West Waterford will host the county B championships on Sunday November 16th.
There will be races for under 9, 11, 13, 15. Any athlete who finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd or was a scoring member of a winning team at the county championships cannot take part in the B Championships.
The following West Waterford athletes cannot take part:
Girls: Caoimhe Dwyer, Aishling Mullaney, Dairina Shanley, Rachel Wyley, Sinead Flynn, Chloe Fennell, Kate Mc Grath, Lucy O’Brien, Gemma Wyley, Chloe Lake, Emma O’ Neill, Kate Veale, Una Mc Grath.
Boys: Michael Power, Mark Twomey, Aidan Mc Kenna, David Montgomery, Sean Curran, Tholm Reddy, Eoin O’ Brien, Oisin O’ Mahoney, Shane O’Riordan,
Eoin Dwyer, Robbie Mulligan.
A.G.M.—— a last reminder
The A.G.M. of the juvenile section of the club will be held on Monday Nov. 17th in Minnies at 9.00pm. The A.G.M. is being held earlier than usual this year and as we will still be in training it is hoped there will be a big turn out of parents on the night.
All Ireland Championships Tramore Race Course
On Sunday 23rd November the first session of the All Ireland Championships will be held on Tramore Race Course starting at 12noon with the first race for under 12 girls. In all twenty-eight athletes from West Waterford athletes have qualified for this event on provincial, county and club teams. The following is a list of qualifiers:
Munster Teams;
Under 12 Girls; Sinead Flynn
Under 12 Boys: Sean Curran
Under 14 Girls: Lucy O’Brien
Under 14 Boys: Robbie Mulligan
Under 16 Girls: Kate Veale
Under 18 Girls: Edel Roche
Under 18 Boys: Declan Power
County Teams:
Under 12 Girls: Sinead Flynn, Cliona Ryan, Aisling Prendergast, Kate Mc Grath, and Niamh Leamy.
Under 12 Boys: Sean Curran, Tholm Reddy, Eoin O’Brien.
Under 14 Girls: Lucy O’Brien, Gemma Wyley, Chloe Lake, Aine Power, Dominique O’ Mahoney.
Under 16 Boys: David Earley, Lughaidh O’Mahoney.
Under 18 Girls: Edel Roche, Rebecca Maher, Claire Collins and Kate Kennedy.
Club Teams:
Under 12 Boys: Sean Curran, Tholm Reddy, Eoin O’Brien, Oisin O’Mahoney, Richard Casey, and Shane O’Riordan.
Under 16 Girls: Kate Veale, Una Mc Grath, Clodagh Gallagher, and Nicola Coffey.
Under 18 Girls: Edel Roche, Rebecca Maher, Claire Collins and Kate Kennedy.
Under 18 Boys: Joe Conway.
Up coming Events
Wed Nov 12th 4th round Easons League @ 4pm
Sun Nov 16th County B Championships @ 1pm
Sun Nov 23rd All Ireland under 12,14,16, 18. Tramore Racecourse starting at 12noon
Sun Nov 30th Munster B Championships Cork
Sun Dec 7th All Ireland under 11,13, 15, 17, 19 Cavan starting at 12 noon
