from Galway City Harriers Winter arrived in Swinford just in time to greet the juvenile athletes for the Connacht cross-country. GCH athletes coped well with the poor conditions on a testing course. Swinford AC did a great job with the organising & there was tea, coffee & scones to help thaw out the weary souls. Because of the bank holiday weekend we fielded weaker teams in some age groups & incomplete teams in others.
Maebh Brannigan led home our under 12 girls to bronze medals in 4th place. laura Ann Costelloo was next finisher in 7th, Shauna Hynes 20th, Aisling Ni Fhlatharta 32nd, Sinead Minihan 37th & Sky Saoirse Nash 46th. The under 12 boys went one better finishing 2nd team. Keegan Kelly was first home in 8th place, John Maher 9th, David Carter 11th, Ronan Esslemont 30th & Nathan Heaney 47th.
Alanna Lally finished 3rd in the under 14 girls race with Emma Johnson 21st, Eleanor Whyte 28th and Elisabeth Maher 44th. The team finished 5th.
Colm Hughes ran a great race in the under 14 boys finishing 2nd. Enan McGuire better known for his javelin throwing finished a great 6th.
Michelle Maher finished 5th in the under 16 girls race with Sarah Johnson 13th.
David Bohan made light of the horrible conditions fishing 2nd in the under 16 boys race. Shane Fahey was next finisher in 9th place, Keith Fallon 15th, Rory Coyle 19th & Anthony Hebron 20th. In the team event GCH finished with the same points 45 as Ballina, but Ballina won on count back.
Eimear Hanahoe finished 3rd & Rachel Shaw 4th in the under 18 girls race. Gearoid O’Connor finished 8th in the under 18 boys race.
Bernie Kelly was our sole senior running on Sunday & she finished a creditable 3rd in the women’s masters race.
