National Cross Country Championships
This weekend sees the blue riband event of the domestic calendar, the National Senior, Junior and Even Age Juvenile Cross Country Championships take place, this year in the superb surrounds of Castle Irvine, Enniskillen.
At Juvenile level, Galway will be represented at U12 level by teams from Craughwell in the Girls' race and Castlegar AC in the Boys'. At U14 age group, Clare River Harriers Boys' team and Castlegar and Tuam AC Girls' teams take centre stage, while at U16 level the girls’ team of Galway City Harriers and a very strong South Galway Boys' team will compete against the best in the country.
At Senior level, three Galway teams are entered, all of very strong composition who will challenge for medals. Craughwell AC will field a starting team from a deep panel including William Fitzgerald, Paddy Noonan, Sean Cotter, Jamie Fallon, Kyle Moorhead, Oisin Davis and Anthony Boyle among others. Castlegar AC selection will likely feature Abaas Edris, Aimad Belayd, Hafiz Adam, Eoin Molloy, and Sean Mulryan.
Galway City Harriers have a very strong team including the like of Tom McStay, Aaron Brennan, Keith Fallon, Conor Byrne, Chris Jonker, John Hayes, Michael Conway, Kieran McGlynn. Rocher Adeyeye of Tuam AC and Eoin Tierney of GCH go in the the Junior men’s race.
University of Galway athletes competing are likely to feature among the medals, with defending champion Fiona Everard chasing a second title, and Finlay Daly a contender in the men’s race.
Galway ladies competing include Helena O'Keeffe of Craughwell, Triona Moran of Castlegar, and GCH duo Eimear O'Leary and Deirdre McCrae at Senior level, and Alix Joyce of Tuam AC at Junior level.
Masters International
Catherine Thornton of Galway City Harriers makes her international debut on the Irish Masters Cross Country team in Belfast Saturday next, at the international match between Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Thornton goes in the Ladies 6km event. Also featuring is her clubmate Martin McEvilly in the M75 category, yet another appearance for the talented Killanin man.
Fixtures
Upcoming calendar races include South Galway AC's Ballinderreen 10k on November 24, and Athenry AC's Fields 10k on St Stephens Day, both open on Eventmaster for entry.
