Limerick athletes excel at 123.ie National Cross Country Championships

123.ie National Senior, U20 & Even Age Cross Country Championships

CROSS Country certainly lived up to its billing as a winter sport as poor weather and underfoot conditions greeted the nation’s best athletes who assembled in Templemore, Co Derry last weekend.

That did not, however, prevent Limerick athletes from producing some great performances.

At U12 level, Alana Ryan was 24 th for Limerick AC, following up on her 9th place Munster finish.

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At U14, Dooneen’s Eva McMahon contended for a podium place before a fall saw the Munster Silver Medallist finish 18th in tough conditions. Clubmate Grace O’Brien was 37th.

At U14, Boys Killian Coman of Limerick AC ran very strongly for 10th position. Clubmate Rian Kiely Keogan was 35th with Alex O’Sullivan of West Limerick 27th.

At U16, Limerick's serial All Ireland Champion Darragh Whelan hit the front about 1/3 of the way into the race, establishing a big lead and eventually winning by some 23 seconds - his 12th National title.

At U18, Dooneen’s Irish International Ella Grace Osborne was 14th U18 and 25th U20 in a time of 17:18. National Marathon Champion Ava Crean was 11th in the U20 contest.

Sometimes Limerick Leader Athletics columnist Alan McCutcheon was delighted with a 26th place finish in the 4.5K U20 Boy race in a time of 14:51. Irish ‘capped’ Sorcha Nic Domhnaill was 16 th in the 7.5k Senior race for West Limerick in a time of 28:31.

Well done to all who represented their Clubs and County so well!

Nenagh

An Open Juvenile event took place in Nenagh in preparation for the forthcoming Indoor season. Some winners included Dooneen’s Blanka Daviet who was 1st in the Shot Putt, clubmate Kyle Harte was 1st in the 200m while Niamh Hynes was 2nd in the 400m

The Great Glenville 4 Mile Run

Niall O'Callaghan of West Limerick was 6th overall and 1st O40 in 21.00. Pádraig O'Donnell was also running and placed 15th in 22.18.

Parkrun

An Bru’s Gery Prendergast set a pb of 20:02 at UL, Neil O’Connail, of Limerick AC ran a years best of 20:56, Joe Chawke 21:00, clubmate Anne MacPhail was 1st woman in 20:57. Dominic Devereux Limerick Country Club stopped the clock on 26:09.

Training Tip

“As the winter approaches, it’s a good idea to set mini goals- commit to doing a parkrun 5k before Christmas, enter a race for early January/February and try to get a friend involved too (added commitment). This will help keep you motivated as the days become shorter and colder. Happy running!” – Dr Carolyn Hayes

Fixtures

The National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championship takes place on Sunday 7th in Abbotstown.

The Athletics Limerick St Stephens Day 10K takes place at 12pm from Caherdavin Community Centre. Enter through Eventmaster or on the day.

Limerick Parkrun at the University of Limerick have announced additional dates on Christmas Day, December 25 and New Year's Day, 9.30am from the University of Limerick Boat Club.

The Tom Walsh Memorial 10K run and 5 Mile walk takes place on Sunday, January 11 in Caherconlish at 12pm. Entries are still available through Eventmaster.