Kathryn Casserly of GCH produced a dramatic finish to win the senior women’s race on the third and final day of the Connacht cross country season in Bushfield, Loughrea, on Sunday.
Casserly overhauled long time leader Martina O'Connor of Mayo AC in the home straight to take an impressive victory at the event, which attracted one of the largest fields for a Connacht event.
The senior men’s race saw the talented Emmet Dunleavey of Sligo AC emerge victorious with an excellently paced win over the fast five lap circuit. Abbas Edris Adam of Castlegar was next, with Barry Sheil of Longford AC next over the line.
In the juvenile races, Galway athletes and clubs again achieved great success in what were highly competitive races.Emily Maloney of GCH took in the U11 event, while Aaron Byrne of East Galway AC had a great run to take silver in the boys' event.
The U13 races delivered a bronze medal for Isla Day of Clare River Harriers, while Luke Walsh claimed the boys' silver for South Galway AC, ahead of Stephen Joyce of Craughwell AC in third
At U15 level, there were silver medal wins for Eva Ruane of Ballinasloe and District AC and Declan O Connell of Craughwell , while GCH won team gold in the boys' event.
Sean Cotter of Craughwell AC looked imperious as he won the U19 race with Craughwell winning silver and bronze via Oisin Davis and Ross McGuinness.
Next up are the National Championships in Santry on November 21.
Corofin 8k and 10 Mile races
Ed Maher won the Corofin AC 8k in 28.06 ahead of Paul Kearney and Louis Coyne, while in the women's event Barbara Dunne of GCH won in 30.10, with Neasa De Burca and Clare Rowe in second and third respectively, making it a clean sweep for GCH.
Hugh McArdle of Roscommon Harriers won the 10 mile race in 54.27 ahead of Pauric Fallon and Paul Keane, with Catherine Thornton of Crusaders AC winning the women's event in a fast 62.39, just ahead of Kate Kelly in second and Sinead Foran in third.
Connacht Schools Combined Events
Galway schools were well represented at the first indoor athletics event in Ireland since February 2020.
GCH athlete Mathieu Madden was the impressive winner of the intermediate title for Merlin College, while Danielle Moynihan of Tuam started the minor pentathlon as the event favourite and did not disappoint, winning her first Connacht Schools' title.
Craughwell AC athletes had some incredible performances, particularly from Presentation Athenry who swept the boards. Jade Moorhead enjoyed a superb points score of 2707 to take the Connacht title in the intermediate grade, while Leonore Church took bronze in the same grade.
Taking a second title for the Pres Athenry on the day, Ella Farrelly delivered a fine string of performances to take the Connacht title in the junior grade with 2319 points, while Evan Hallinan won silver in the intermediate Boys with 2840 points. Sean Hoade also claimed silver in the minor boys' grade, with Keelan Moorhead winning bronze.
Other Craughwell athletes competing for their schools were Emma O’Donovan (St Brigid’s ) who roared back to her best form with some impressive results to take the bronze medal in the minor girls, while Lauren Morgan (St Raphael’s ) took a fine silver medal in the first year grade with points total of 1409. Conor Penney (Calasanctius Oranmore ) took a super silver medal in the first year grade with impressive points score of 1626 across the four events to complete a great day’s competition.
