In a weekend of cross country action at the highest level, there were some fantastic results for Galway athletes.
On Saturday in the Home Countries International Masters in Glasgow three Galway athletes competed for Ireland against the best of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On a tough course, with severe hills throughout, Martin McCevilly of GCH took individual bronze in the M60 category, helping his M60 team to team gold. Peter O'Sullivan of Craughwell AC, in the M35 event, finished strongly as fourth Irish finisher and 13th in his category and did enough to secure a narrow victory for Ireland on the M35 team too. In the M45 category Martin Corcoran, on his international debut, ran a superb race to finsh ninth in his category, and take team silver behind England.
On Sunday the action moved to Sligo for the National Cross Country where the hard rain of the past few weeks had transformed the course to a mudbath in places. The best result for Galway on the day was the fourth placed finish of the Craughwell AC U16 boys’ team, led home by Conor Gillen in 25th, Nicholas Sheehan in 29th, Jamie Spellman 31st, and Matthew Moran 47, followed by John Cormican, Damien O'Boyle and Keelan Ryan.
Aoife Sheedy of GCH ran a fantastic race in the u-12 girls 2000m to gain seventh position and the leading Galway and Connacht athlete. Brandon and Conor Lee of Athenry AC were the first two Galway finishers in the boys’ race.
In the women’s senior intercounties the leading Galway woman was Laura Shaughnessy of Loughrea AC who finished 25th overall and fifth placed u-23, and despite last-minute team injuries, Gary Thornton led the Tribesmen home in sixth place overall.
