Galway athletes and clubs enjoyed podium finishes on day one of the 2019 Connacht Cross Country Championships held on a testing course in Calry, Sligo, on Sunday.
There was a great start to the event, which featured the juvenile even ages championships (U12/14/16/18 age groups ) and the second leg of the adult Senior League for men and women, when Clodagh Fallon of Tuam AC won the U12 girls' race. Her victory helped Tuam AC claim the team title with fellow athletes Savanagh O’Callaghan (14th ), Sarah Hartnett (15th ), Grace Riordan (21st ), India Cunniffe (22nd ) and Ava Davey (35th ) contributing.
Craughwell AC won the U 2 boys' team event with Keelan Moorehead the first scorer in fourth place. He led his teammates of Stephen Joyce (6th ), Stephen Ruane (7th ), Declan O'Connell (12th ), Cian Brady, and Jack Farrellm to gold. Oisin Maher of GCH finished an excellent second individually in the event, while Mathys Bocquet of Craughwell continued his good form as he placed a fine second in the U14 race, just ahead of GCH athlete Senan McDonnell. Runner up in the girls U16 was Emily Miskella, also of Craughwell.
William McDonnell of GCH took an impressive win in the U16 race, ahead of fast finisher Rian O'Callaghan., while GCH athlete Aaron Brennan was a dominant winner of the junior men’s race, with Jack Maher of GCH third home. Barry Murphy of GCH was another who excelled on the day, winning the U18 race.
Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC made an impressive return to action with a clear win in the senior women’s race, with Aine O'Farrell of Athenry AC winning the junior women's event.
In the senior men’s race, Mark Davis of Craughwell continued his good season with a hard-fought third, with Craughwell, GCH and Castlegar all fielding strong teams
Sunday November 10 will feature the uneven ages juvenile races in Belleek, Ballina, in Mayo and the final of the Senior League. The juvenile programme will see races from U11 through to U19 age groups and the event begins at 12 noon.
Corofin Races
Conor Dolan was a clear winner of the Corofin Athletics Club's 8k on Sunday, in a time of 28.22. Paul Kearney of Tuam AC claimed second in 28.53 and Louis Coyne of GCH third home in 29.51.
Barbara Dunne of GCH made a strong return to action winning the women's event in 30.56, ahead of clubmates Tara Whyte and Clare Rowe in second and third respectively for GCH.
Andrew O'Brien of Kildare AC won the 10 mile race in a solid time of 57.02, with Stephen Hughes of Tri Lakes second and Hugh McCardle of Roscommon Harriers third. First woman home was Roisin Farragher in a time of 68.07, with Michelle Browne of GCH second and Jean Coleman of Tuam AC third over the line.
Fixtures
Irish Life Health All-Ireland Schools Combined Events: The All Ireland Schools Combined Events Championships takes place this Saturday in Athlone IT with many Galway schools competing in the multi discipline event.
