Podium Finish and International Selection for Noah Commins
The sunny south east did not live up to its name on Saturday as Munster Schools hosted the 123.ie All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships. Despite snow in many parts of the country the athletes, coaches, teachers and parents made their way in large numbers to Waterford on Friday. As we were down in Carriganore on Friday putting the finishing touches to the course many were arriving to check it out and plan their tactics for the tough hilly course.
Saturday dawned wet and drizzly which softened the course considerably and added another layer of difficulty to an already tough course. There were eight races in all and each was exciting in its own right, giving the many spectators plenty to cheer about. Highlight of the day from a local point of view was the run of Noah Commins competing for St Augustine’s in the junior boys 3500m. Noah usually starts on a slow burn and last Saturday was no exception. He got out well at the start and at the end of the first lap was in the top 10. He moved steadily through the field on the second and third lap and was 3rd as they came to the top of the hill for the last time. He made a bold bid to catch Kevin Finn Nenagh CBS who was in second place but Kevin held on for the silver medal. The race was won by another Noah, Noah Wallace from Campbell College. Noah’s 3rd place finish meant automatic selection to the Irish Schools Cross Country which will compete at the SIAB International in Liverpool in two weeks time. Well done to Noah who has put in a very hard cross country training season under the guidance of West Waterford AC coach Tony Shalloe.
Great Run By Oisin Whelan
Competing in first All Ireland in the colours of St Augustine’s West Waterford’s Oisin Whelan showed true grit and determination in the Minor boy’s race. Oisin qualified for his first All Ireland when he finished 7th in the Munster Schools Cross Country held at the same venue two weeks ago. Last Saturday he finished in 12th place and was the third Munster athlete across the line finishing ahead of four athletes who had beaten him in the Munster race. This has been a very successful cross country season for Oisin.
Fia De Paor First Munster Girl Home in Inter Girls Race
The Intermediate girl’s race was the fifth race on the programme and at that stage the course was beginning to cut up and there was more mud that grass in parts. It was a tough battle all the way with Fia de Paor representing St Augustine’s pushing all the way on the uphill section to stay in contention with the leaders. Fia was the first Munster girl home in 11th place which was a big step up from her 8th place finish in the Munster Cross Country Championships two weeks ago. Fia’s 11th place means she is first reserve for the Irish Schools International team and she is also young enough to compete in this race again next year.
Grainne Moore Competes in Senior Girls Race
The final West Waterford athlete to compete on the day was Grainne Moore. Grainne who represented St Augustine’s was competing in her first Schools All Ireland. She showed great determination to finish in 42nd place.
Well done to all four athletes and their coach Tony Shalloe.
Hosting the All Ireland was a big undertaking for Munster Schools and it would not have been possible with the help of the many volunteers who put in a long day on Saturday last to ensure that the event ran without a hitch and all our visitors to Waterford had a great experience. Well done to all of you it was a superb day of cross country running.
Gold for Doireann And Silver for Eabha at the Munster Indoor Championships.
The Hickey sisters were in action at the Munster Indoors in Nenagh on Saturday last where they competed in the race walking events. Doireann put in a strong performance to take the girls under 18 title and Eabha had a good walk to finish second in the under 17 girls event. Both girls will now progress to the All Ireland Indoor Championships.
