By Niall O Sullivan, County PRO

The National Masters and Intermediate Cross Country Championships took place in Westport last Sunday where conditions were demanding.

In the Master women’s race Patricia Ryan of Dundrum AC ran very well when finishing 63^rd in 17 mins 57 secs with Sareen Wals of Clonmel AC 71^st in 18 mins 21 secs and Sarah Whelan of Clonmel AC 77^th in 18 mins 39 secs in a very competitive race where there were 131 finishers.

In the Master men over 65 event Jim St John of Clonmel AC ran very well when finishing 11^th in 18 mins 20 secs.

In the Master men over 35 event there was a very strong entry. Here we had Fintan Rice of Fethard AC ran a brilliant race when winning the over 60 event and was crowned National Master Men over 60 Cross Country Champion when finishing in 27 mins 45 secs, a fantastic achievement. Fintan was creating a piece of Club history as he is the first National Champion for Fethard AC under AAI rules. Fintan renewed his interest in cross country a few years ago when he got involved in his local club Fethard AC. Earlier in his career he participated in many achievements with Clonmel AC. Indeed, in the last few years he and his family have hosted the County Masters Cross Country Championships, to which the County board are indebted to them. There were other good performances in this race including Christopher Aylward of Clonmel AC finishing 41^st in 25 mins 51 secs, Patrick Davoren Clonmel AC 60^th in 26 mins 42 secs, Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC 72^nd in 27 mins 33 secs, Trevor Whelan Clonmel AC 102^nd in 28 mins 47 secs, Willie O Donoghue Mooreabbey Milers 116^th in 29 mins 24 secs, Conor Fleming Clonmel AC 123^rd in 29 mins 49 secs and Damien Holian Mooreabbey Milers 140^th in 30 mins 59 secs and Michael Moore Dundrum AC 154^th in 33 mins 14 secs. The County over 50 team finished 5^th overall.

On a day of great performances, the standout achievement was that of Fintan Rice of Fethard AC winning the over 60 National Cross Country Championship title. These Championships brings the curtain down on the cross-country season. The County Road season gets underway on March 9^th when all roads will lead to Boherlahan for the County Novice Road Championships hosted by Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC.