Connacht Cross Country Championships
The second day of the Connacht Clubs Cross Country Championships was held on Sunday last in Ballinrobe Racecourse in Mayo. As the Uneven Ages Juvenile races for U11 to U19 were be held, along with the final leg of the Connacht Senior League, with the Juvenile events acting as a qualifying event for the National Cross-Country Championships, which will be held over two days, with the Even Ages Juveniles and National Senior Championships in Derry on November 23rd and the Uneven Ages and National Novice Championships in Dublin on December 7th next.
There was great Galway success across the programme, with Hana Faraj Gheziel of Castlegar excelling, winning the U11 Girls race outright. Craughwell AC won the team gold at U11, led home by Katie Considine, Amélie Glynn, Chloe Lydon and Elise Kerins. Dylan Devitt of Galway City Harriers continued the county’s winning ways, claiming the U11 Boys gold, and also securing a team silver for the GCH U11 Boys squad of Iarlaith Friel, Harvey Coyne and Fiachra Hughes
At U13 level, Craughwell AC won team silver, led home by Muireann Kelly, alongside Emma McGovern, Aoife O Connell and Leah O Toole. Castlegar AC secured team bronze via William Duggan, Ciaran Casey, Adam Faraj Gheziel, and Felix Stapleton
Castlegar AC won a famous gold team medal in the U15 Girls event, led home by Siun Ni Chonaill in 4th overall, ably backed up by Layla Faraj Gheziel, Maisy-Bo Joyce, Emma Madden and Rachel Duggan. Clare River Harriers U15 Boys matched their neighbours in also claiming the Connacht title, via Sean Howley, Patrick Lee, Fionn Creaven, Finn Giblin and Thomas Byrne. Donal Coyle of South Galway ran a stormer to win individual silver at U15 level
In the U17, Castlegar once again secured victory in the Girls event, underlining their great strength in depth across the Juvenile age groups. Elly Turner, Orla Casey, Carla Flynn and Cliodhna Ni Chonaill were the winning quarter for the club. Tuam AC won silver via Hazel McGuire, Keelin McDonagh, Taillte O'Callaghan, Kate Halligan and Rebecca Moynihan. Overall, Claudia Coyle of South Galway AC won a terrific bronze medal in third place individually.
There was a Galway 1-2-3 in the U17 Boys race as Luke Walsh won, next home Ciaran Considine for South Galway, and in third, David Frazer of Craughwell, raced home to individual medals. South Galway AC won team gold via Walsh, Considine, Brendan McGuane, Cathal Costello and Ciaran Kelleher
Galway athletes swept the boards again in the U19 Girls with Niamh McWalter winning gold for Tuam, ahead of Rhona Connolly of CRH and Castlegar’s Isobelle Conroy.
At Senior, Joanne Loftus of Moy Valley in Ballina won the Ladies' race, with Galway City Harriers duo Nora Tierney and Siobhan Egan Lee next home in silver and bronze. GCH Ladies won the Connacht senior team title.
In the Men’s race, Evan O'Rourke won a tight battle to claim gold for Maree AC, with Mathys Bocquet of Craughwell second and Aimad Belayd of Castlegar AC in third place.
Fixtures
Upcoming Road races permitted by Athletics Ireland this weekend include the Ballinderreen 10k hosted by South Galway AC on November 16th next at 12.30 pm, incorporating the Galway 10km road championships. Also on Saturday, the IUAA Road Relays for Universities takes place in Maynooth, with the University of Galway expected to feature strongly
The Fields of Athenry 10k is on St Stephen's Day at 11 am, and the New Year's Resolution Run 5k on January 1st at 10.15 am. Entry for all events is on Eventmaster online.
