Brian O'Connor of Galway City Harriers won the county senior cross country title for the first time in Tuam on Sunday.
O'Connor and Peter O'Sullivan of Craughwell produced an epic battle at the Palace Grounds on day one of the Galway championships, but the Moycullen athlete produced one of his best performances to take the title.
O'Sullivan finished second, followed by Timmy Jones of GCH, also first veteran. Joe Tannian (GCH ) took overall race honours and the county junior title with an impressive display of front running, while GCH took the men’s team title. Eanna Folan of GCH won the U18s ahead of Gary Martyn.
In the ladies’ championships, Jean O'Connor of GCH won a well-earned senior title with Margaret Kilkenny of Ballinasloe and District AC claiming the master’s gold, helping her club win the team award.
Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC won the U18 girls event from the front, finishing ahead of Aoife King of GCH, while at U16 level there were impressive wins for Sarah Gilhooley of Athenry AC and Aaron Brennan of GCH.
Emma Moore of GCH produced a storming last lap to finish just ahead of clubmate Eimear Rowe in the U14s, with Sean Cotter ( Craughwell ) taking the boys' title just ahead of Rory Fitzpatrick (Athenry AC ). GCH won the girls' team with Craughwell taking the boys’ title
At U12’s Ava McKeon (GCH ) and Mark O’Halloran (Athenry AC ) were first home, while Laoise McGrath of Loughrea AC and Enda Keane of East Galway AC won their respective U10 events.
Galway Bay Half marathon
Gary O'Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers won the Galway Bay marathon in Salthill on Saturday.
O'Hanlon posted a superb time of 2 hrs 25, well clear of Brendan Hession of Mayo AC in second in 2 hrs 50, and Kevin Ward third in 2.55. The first woman home was Rachel Stokes in 3hrs 14 mins.
Mark Dooley of Donore Harriers took a clear win in the half marathon, clocking 71 minutes for victory, ahead of Trevor Connolly and Gearoid Hynes, while Ann Lennon of Mayo AC won the ladies' section in 1hr 24 mins with Grainne Ni Uallachan and Siobhan Egan of GCH next home.
Raheny athlete Freddy Keron Sittuk won a hard-fought 10k, beating Conor Dooney by just seven seconds, clocking 31.18, with Kenny Rogers of St Johns AC placed third. Siobhan O Doherty of Borrisokane AC took gold in the ladies' race in a fast 35.05 with GCH athlete Neasa Coll second in 36.24 and Norah Newcombe third
County 10k championships
The county 10k championships will be held at 4pm on Saturday in Carna, Conamara, organised by Cumann Lúthchleas Chonamara in conjunction with Oireachtas na Gaeilge. The race has an AI permit. Register online below €20 or on the day. Registration is from 2pm to 3.30pm in Óstán Charna.
The Galway Cross country championships' second day is fixed for Sunday when the uneven juvenile ages (U9-U19 ) will take place at South Park in the Claddagh in Galway from 1pm.
