Cross Country Season Opens in Kilmacow
St Senan’s hosted the first cross country of the season on Sunday last. The weather was so mild it was hard to believe we are back at cross country. Sixteen young athletes travelled to compete at this open event. This is a great season opener as our athletes get to compete against some of the Leinster clubs that they will not meet again until the All Ireland.
Good Running from Under 8,9 and 10 athletes
West Waterford’s under 8 boys were first in action. Tommy Costin led them home in 6th place with Ailill O’Murchadha 16th and Cúán O’Lonáin 30th all running in their first cross country race for the club. Sophie O’Mahony had a great run in the under 9 girls race to finish 3rd while Dan O’Murchadha finished 16th in the boys under 9 600m. The biggest field of the day was in the girls under 10 race and the West Waterford girls showed they can mix it with the best with three finishing in the top 5. There was a great tussle between Molly Fenton and Ide Lonáin for third place with Molly just edging out Ide to take the bronze medal. Mollaí Ní Lonáin had her best cross country run when she finished a very close 5th place.
Team Bronze for Girls Under 12
We had 4 girls competing in the under 12 race and so could compete in the team championships where West Waterford finished 3rd behind a very strong Kilkenny Harriers team. Etain Ní Mhurchadha is reaping the benefits of consistent training over the last few seasons and crossed the line in 3rd for the individual bronze. The other three members of the team were under 11 and had moved up a year to compete under12. Sibéal Curran had a strong run to finish 13th . Danni Curtin was competing in her first cross country race and came home in 19th place and to round off the team scoring another newcomer Emma O’Dea finished 39th.
In the boys under 12 Tiarnach Costin and Seadhna O’Tuathaigh were also moving up an age to compete under 12. Tiarnach showed a big improvement on his form from last year to finish 12th and Seadhna came home 22nd.
Rachel Keogh and Sheelagh Curran kept the West Waterford flag under 14 and 16 and both finished 7th in very competitive races.
Spar Event in Dublin
Thanks to Walsh’s Spar An Rinn some of young athletes were able to attend a Spar event in Dublin and meet some of the top Irish athlete sponsored by Spar. This was a great opportunity to meet some of their Heroes like Kate O’Connor, Nicola Tuthill and Sharlene Mawdsley.
Tramore Open Cross Country Next Sunday Sept 27th
Next Sunday we will travel to Tramore for their open cross country. We hope to see a much bigger group of athletes next week as day 2 of the county championships will be held in Tramore.
Day 1 County Championships Sunday Oct 4th
The county championships under 10,12,14,16,18 will be held in St Augustine’s College starting @ 11am
Countdown on for Primary Schools Cross Country on Friday Oct 2nd
Sponsored by JB White Chartered Accountants the West Waterford Primary Schools Cross Country takes place in St Augustine’s College On Friday Oct 2nd .
Registration 5euros (Cash only) opens at 5.15 and closes @5.45 with the first race for 2nd class getting underway @6pm. Notification with all information have been sent to all the local schools.
