Team medals at National Cross-Country Championships
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, Downings in the far north idyllic setting in Co Donegal hosted the 123 National Senior &U23 Cross Country Championships.
This was the first time the championships have been held in Donegal since 1999 and host club Cranford AC really pulled out all the stops in putting on an event which was extremely well prepared and organised. The competition was fierce in all races and for those who didn't make the long trip to Donegal, they were provided with excellent live coverage via the Athletics Ireland Youtube channel.
In the women’s Senior and U23 8000 metres race, there were superb performances from the Tullamore Harriers' team of Laura Mooney, Nadine Donegan, Emily Grennan and Sarah Flanagan. These ladies were up against the best in the land taking into account the top 3 in U23 and Senior races will automatically qualify for the European Cross Country Team in Italy next month. Sarah Healy UCD A.C. took the Senior title with Ciara Mageen City of Lisburn AC 2nd and defending champion Michelle Finn Leevale AC 3rd.
The senior ladies took 3rd club team medals in the B category and with the addition of Danielle Donegan who competes with UCD AC but declared for her home county, they came home with silver county medals in the B Category too. A great result indeed.
Danielle and Laura (who just arrived home from the USA in the past few days) both had excellent runs to make the podium taking 2nd and 3rd U23 respectively.
In the equally exciting Senior and U23 men's race, the line out included a very high calibre group of men. Darragh McElhinney UDC AC was the eventual winner after a very tacticle run, with Hiko Haso Tonosa Dundrum South Dublin AC 2nd and Peter Lynch Kilkenny City Harriers 3rd. 1st for Tullamore Harriers in the 10,000m race was Michael Murphy (58th place) with Liam Brady (90th place), Darragh Carroll (144th place) and Sean Reynolds (172nd place). Congratulations and well done to all who lined out for the club and to the supporters for making the long trip to Co Donegal.
Honours for John in Donegal!
The All Ireland Cross Country Championships in Co Donegal was an outstanding success and 2 great men were rightfully honoured on the eve of the event. Athletics Ireland honoured Eamon Giles AAI Life Vice President Founder member and Chairman of the host club Cranford AC. The club is celebrating 60 years in existence and has produced many great athletes including Olympians. Cranford AC then honoured John Cronin President of Athletics Ireland. John entered the sport of Athletics through Cranford AC in the early seventies and used to train at the Rosapenna Hotel and Golf resort where the 123.ie Athletics Ireland National Ireland Cross Country. It was a proud and emotional weekend for John as he returned to his roots to preside over a very successful and spectacular event which captured the imagination of the athletic community both present and watching on live stream. Huge credit is due to Cranford AC. Congratulations to John and Eamon.
Fixtures
December 4 - Novice & Uneven Ages – Cork
December 15 - Winter League 5k
December 20 - Grand National
December 25 - Offaly Hospice Mile
December 31 - New Year's Eve race
Training
Senior Training: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.
For any enquiries contact club captains Sean 0851742418 or Anna 0868248928