Craughwell AC made their European debut in Portugal last weekend at the prestigious European Athletics U20 Club Track and Field Championships.
The squad placed eighth team overall with a great all-round performance, led by captain Laura Cunningham, who along with team members Lorraine Delaney, Arlene Earls, Ellie Cronin, Ciara Sheppard, Alisha Larkin, Cian Reidy, Freya Bohan, Shauna Tobin, Leanagh Gilligan, Caoilin Milton Sarah Woods, Aoife Kelly and Ava Finn, all scored points on the day.
Managed by Michael Tobin and Aisling Keady, the club performed strongly against the best of Europe’s clubs, behind winners Athletics Studentesca club from Italy, across a demanding range of 19 track and field disciplines.
Castlegar AC Cross Country
The Galway cross-country season commenced at the weekend, with Castlegar AC hosting a gala open cross-country event for juvenile and adults ages at Merlin Woods City Park Doughiska.
The programme included well supported cross-country relays for U8 to U16 age groups, an adult mixed relay won by NUIG AC, and a 2km open event, won by Patrick Noonan of Craughwell AC.
The two main events of the day, the women's 4km and the men’s 6km, incorporating the Galway Novice Cross Country Championships, took centre stage to close the programme and both races were exciting affairs. Aoife O Brien of Westport pipped long-time leader Kathryn Casserly of GCH for a dramatic win in the last kilometre of the women's race, with Aine O Farrell of Athenry AC was third home.
The men’s race was an equally exciting affair with Irish international Damien Landers eventually taking control of proceedings on the last lap, taking victory over clubmate Rory Chesser in second, and GCH junior Aaron Brennan, who had a great race, finishing in third position.
Fixtures
Galway Cross Country fixtures: The Galway Primary Schools Cross Country Championships for 2019 kicked off on Tuesday with the qualifiers advancing to the finals which take place next Tuesday October 1.
Loughrea Grey Lake 10k:The Loughrea AC-hosted Grey Lake 10k takes place on Sunday at 2.30pm.
Entry is open online, and also on the day for €20. Race day headquarters are at the Temperance Hall, Barrack St, in Loughrea town. There is also a junior race at 1.15pm. The race is an AAI approved event.
