This year’s Irish Life Health National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country Cross Country Championships took place in the WIT Sports Arena, Waterford today (Sunday 17th December). It showcased Ireland’s top young athletes in the final Irish Life Health championship of 2017.
There was plenty to savour and watch at the Novice and Juvenile uneven championships as Nakita Burke (Letterkenny A.C.) had an exciting victory in the women’s novice race, just ahead of Sinead Kevany (Midleton A.C.) and Lauren Dermondy (Castlecomer A.C.) who were second and third respectively. Jack MacGabhann (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) who crossed the finish line in first place ran an excellent 6000m race with his teammate Paul O’Donnell finishing second and Kevin Moore (Dundrum A.C.) finishing third.
There was plenty of excitement in the juvenile uneven races as Cait O’Reilly (Annalee) got the day off to a great start by holding off her competitors in a tight finish to take victory in the Girls U11 race while Conor Liston (Mullingar Harriers A.C) went on to win the boys U11 race.
Aoife Brown (Metro St Brigids A.C.) crossed the finish line in first place in the Girls U13 race. Oisin Duffy (City of Derry A.C. Spartans) won the boys U13 with time to spare, winning his race in impressive style.
Aimee Hayde (Newport A.C.) led the field home in the U15 girl’s race, while in the boys U15 Ulster Champion Sean McGinley (Olympian Youth & A.C.) had an excellent individual victory, leading the race from start to finish.
The U17 girls saw another impressive victory with Sarah Healy (Blackrock A.C. Dublin) claiming victory over Holly Brennan (Cilles A.C.) who finished behind in second and Lucy O’Keeffe (Youghal A.C.) in third place. Conall McClean (St. Malachy’s A.C.) impressed in the boy’s side of the U17 age category.
In the U19 women’s race, Niamh Carey (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) held off to win the gold. Jamie Battle (Mullingar Harriers A.C.) gave an impressive performance who came in ahead of Efern Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers A.C. in second and Donal Farren (Letterkenny A.C.) in third.
Full results of the Day HERE
Source: Athletics Ireland
Photo Credit: Athletics Ireland
