Dundrum AC win Munster Gold

The Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships took place last Sunday in Riverstick, County Cork. Overall conditions were good despite the bad weather of recent days for Cross Country.  In the Women’s race the County was well represented. Eileen McCullagh of Moyne AC went with the early pace and soon found herself in the leading group. As the race unfolded Eileen moved into 2^nd place and held that strong pace to win the silver medal in 22 mins 31 secs, repeating last year’s performance in Ennis, a great performance by Eileen. This performance spurred on the rest of the County athletes and they all responded with great efforts. Catherine Fogarty Dundrum AC ran a brilliant race when finishing 4^th in 23 mins 40 secs followed immediately across the finishing line by her club mate Karen Coughlan (23.49), with Mary Louise Ryan of Mooreabbey Milers AC  6^th (24.01), Lisa Quinlan Moyne AC 8^th (24.09), Eimear Loughman Dundrum AC 11^th (25.05) and Mairead Julian Dundrum AC 18^th (27.21). The County team of Eileen McCullagh, Catherine Fogarty, Karen Coughlan, Mary Louise Ryan won the gold medals, while at inter club level Dundrum AC won the Inter Club title impressively with their team of Catherine, Karen, Eimear and Mairead.

In the men’s race, the County athletes ran well when combining to win the Inter County silver medals. There were good performances from Eugene O’Keeffe 8^th and Patrick Roche 10^th, both Carrick on Suir, Tom Blackbun 9^th and Willie O’Donoghue 15^th, both Mooreabbey Milers AC and the Dundrum duo of Jim Halley 14^th and Michael Moore 16^th.

Brilliant performances by County Athletes at Masters Home Countries International CC

Roundhay Park in Leeds was the venue for this year Championships. Conditions were demanding especially as the programme of races progressed. Athletes had to contend with sticky underfoot conditions as well as a tough 200m incline on each lap.

In the women’s 6K race, that consisted of athletes from over 35 to over 60 Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC underlined her very good form. She produced a very good performance when winning the over 45 individual silver medal, when finishing 6^th overall and in the process led the over 45 Irish team to silver medals.

The 3^rd race on the programme was the Master men over 65 plus 8k race. Here Fintan Rice of Fethard AC ran very well when finishing 44^th overall and 9^th in the over 60 category. Fintan was part of the Irish team that won silver medals

The 4^th race on the programme was the men’s over 35 to over 45 8k event. Here Emmet McNamara of Fethard AC ran very well when finishing 11^th overall and 2^nd Irish man. He was part of the Irish over 35 team that won silver medals. Another athlete with strong Tipperary roots, that was on that silver medal winning team was Kevin Moore, now with Mullingar Harriers and he too ran very well when finishing 29^th overall.

National Cross Country Championships

The National Junior, Under 23 and Senior Cross Country Championships for both women and men takes place in County Derry next Sunday. These Championships are the blue-ribbon event of the Cross Country season and places on Irish team for the forth coming European Cross Country Championships are at stake. The very best of luck to all the County athletes competing in these Championships on Sunday