from Munster Express The largest cross country meet in the country went ahead in Tramore racecourse last Sunday and thousands people from all over Ireland gathered in what were blustery conditions. Waterford AC had the course perfectly laid out and all the races were run off smoothly The winners of the senior races were Alan McCormack in the men’s, while the women’s title went to Linda Byrne. KCK had four athletes competing, all in the U16 age group.
Gary Cantwell was the star of the show on the day for the club when he picked up two medals, an individual All-Ireland medal and All-Ireland gold for the regional competition. With over 100 of the strongest U16 athletes taking to the start line, the competition was extremely tough. Gary Cantwell flew out from the gun and was at the business end of the field from the start. Gary produced an excellent final quarter and powered home in 9th place, with the top twelve securing individual All-Ireland medals, and so took his All-Ireland medal. In 2006 Gary came home in 24th position in the U14 boys All-Ireland Cross Country, he followed that up last year with a 14th place finish in the U15 final and now in 2008 Gary has brought that down to 9th, a very encouraging statistic and shows he is improving every year and definitely heading in the right direction. Further good news followed when Munster finished first in the provincial standings and with Gary a scoring member on that team he took his second All-Ireland medal of the day this time gold. Well done!
Boys U16 Team
Gary was joined on the starting line by Isaac Lineen, Rhuain Mitchell and Johnny Skehan.
Rhuain Mitchell, competing a year out of his age, continued to show improvement when he powered home in an impressive position. Rhuain who finished in 3rd place at the recent U15 Munster Championships can now look ahead to his own All-Ireland’s with real confidence and with another strong run behind him, he is sure to motor well.
Johnny Skehan has had a whirlwind of a couple of months. Joining the club only in October Johnny has competed in two Munster Championships and qualified to run in the All-Irelands, an excellent achievement in itself for such a short period of time. In the race Johnny once again showed improvement and he battled excellently, crossing the line in a top 60 position.
Isaac Lineen who is enjoying his strongest season to date, got out to a very strong start and his strong running throughout brought him home well up the field. KCK finished 8th in the club team standings and Waterford took 7th in the county competition.
Medals galore in Dungarvan
The county B cross country championships went ahead the Sunday before last and KCK had lots of athletes winning medals on the day. There were eight juvenile races on the day with the top 6 athletes home got individual medals.
Chris takes County Title
Newcomer Chris Janes went in the boys U15 race and turned a lot of heads in what was his very first race for the club, when he took an impressive victory to claim his first county title. Chris was always among the top three and his extremely impressive finishing held off his rivals and he crossed the line in first position.
Silver for Emily Keane
Young Emily Keane put in a super performance in the girls U9 race. She got an excellent start and moved herself into medal contention at the half way stage. From there to the line Emily put the boot down and put in an excellent run to take 2nd place and the silver medal.
Padraig takes Silver
Our second silver in the U9 age group came when young Padraig Hallahan produced a mighty run to come home in 2nd place. This was Padraig’s first run for the club and with his older brothers well used to the cross country circuit Padraig seemed a real natural! Well done!
Frank comes second
Frank Heffernan lined up out of his age in the boys U11 race. His powerful running got him among the leaders from the start and he battled all the way to the line and was rewarded with an excellent silver medal.
Aran and Eoin win medals
Two more athletes from the club lines up beside Frank Heffernan in the boys U11 race. Aran Hassett, who continues to show improvement with every run, came home a very impressive 4th place to take his individual medal. Closely behind him was Eoin Curran, who made his first appearance on the cross country circuit. Eoin, competing a year out of his age, produced an excellent run and crossed the line in 5th place for another medal, well done. These boys who will be joined by Kieran Tobin and Peter Behan will definitely motor well this Sunday in the Munster B’s competition and should be in the shake up for the team medals.
Excellent runs
Hannah Mei produced her strongest run to date when she came home in 5th position in the girls U9 race to claim her individual county medal.
Her sister Tao, who is still two years below U9 stormed home in a super 8th position. Jodie Hassett, competing a year out of her age, separated the two sisters when she came home in 7th place after another convincing run. Well done to all three girls.
Tara Fitzgerald was our sole competitor in the girls U11 race and she battled very strongly and came home in 7th position, well done.
Medals for Brendan and Aaron
Young Brendan Gough, competing in his first race for the club took to the line in the U9 race and after a terrific run, crossed the line in 5th place to capture a well deserved medal. Aaron Whelan made a successful comeback when he also took 5th place this time in the U13 race.
Aaron who is improving ever week had a very strong run to take his individual medal.
PJ Coffey also made a very good comeback and came home in 7th position in the boys U13 race, a super run, well done.
Munster B Cross Country this Sunday
The Munster B Cross Country Championships take place this Sunday in Killeagh, Co. Cork.
There is a bus leaving Kilmac Old Post Office, athletes be in attendance at 9.45am sharp, it will stop in Lemybrien at approx 9.55am and Dungarvan at 10.10am.
