National medals for Emma Lofus and Hugh Armstrong

Ballina Athletic Club athletes travelled to Sligo Racecourse last week for the even ages and senior cross country championships and acquitted themselves very well. Emma Loftus ran a brilliant race in the u14 girls 3,000m race and finished in ninth place overall out of a field of 130 athletes, and took home a bronze medal in the process. Emma is eligible to run in the same age again next year. Hugh Armstrong, who competed in the European and World Mountain Running championships during the year, competed in the u18 boys 6,000m race and finished in eigth place overall to take home a bronze medal also. Maria Reilly was leading the u12 girls race until she had to pull out due to injury. Bridget Mills ran very well in the same competition, as did Cormac MacDermott in the u12 boys race. The u18 boys team of Hugh Armstrong, Cian Mulrooney, Jonathan Deane, and Ciaran Treacy performed very well and finished in sixth place overall. Roger Barrett was the first Mayo man home in the senior competition when he finished in 32nd place overall. His club mates Michael Canty, Sean Gallagher, and Tommy Neville competed also as members of the Mayo Intercounties Team. The uneven ages and novice championships takes place in the Curragh on Sunday next, December 11.