MENAPIANSA.C.

Peter Mulvany and Ger Mulhall took to the streets of Dublin over the bank holiday weekend for the Dublin City Marathon. Ger finished in four hours 14 minutes and Peter finished in six hours three minutes.

The first round of the winter league took place on the track in Enniscorthy recently. Ideal weather conditions brought out a big crowd with over 200 athletes taking part. There was a great turn-out from the club, with 46 Menapians competing.

For many of our young athletes it was the first time they represented the club in competition and they all did themselves and the club proud. It was also heartening to see athletes who normally sprint, jump or throw taking part to help the club pick up valuable points.

The club had four race winners. Cian Donovan sprinted down the home straight to win the Under-10 race. Eimear Halpin ran a thrilling final lap to win the Under-14 race.

Nathan Murphy put a very frustrating year of injury behind him to win the Under-15 race, while the Wexford Under-16 cross-country champion, Róisín O’Reilly, won the Under-16 race.

Well done to everyone who took part and a big thank you to all who helped out. A full list of results is available on the Menapians Facebook page.

The next round of the league takes place on Friday, November 17, in Enniscorthy, starting at 7 p.m. Menapians are in second place overall behind United Striders. Registration opens at 6.15 p.m.

The Leinster Juvenile uneven age cross-country championships were held in Adamstown on Sunday. The weather was very good, with the event being blessed with sunshine throughout and while there was a strong breeze, the course was sheltered so it was never a factor in the races.

The course was challenging but fair. Underfoot conditions varied with parts of the course being excellent but in other places quite soft.

First in action for the club was Cian Donovan, competing in his first Leinster cross-country championships. He had a great run. There was a huge field in his Under-11 race.

A good start put Cian up with the leaders and as the field spread out over the lap, he stayed in touch and finished with a great sprint down the home straight. Cian finished 32nd overall, fourth home for the Wexford team and the Wexford team was fifth overall.

Sinéad O’Reilly was next in action in the Under-13 race. A careful start saw Sinéad establish herself among the race leaders during the first lap. At the end of the first lap, she was in tenth place.

The hard training of late paid off and during the last lap she moved up to sixth place.

Last year, Nathan Murphy created club history becoming the first athlete to qualify for the All-Ireland cross-country championships with the Wexford team. Sinéad now joins him on the list of Menapians that have qualified for All-Ireland cross-country championships, becoming the first girl from the club to do so.

Her All-Ireland championship will take place on Sunday, December 17, in Waterford Institute of Technology.

Ciara Dolan ran in the Under-15 race. She had a good run at the county championships in Ferns a few weeks ago, finishing eighth.

The course and high standard of competition put it up to Ciara in this race but she performed well, running steadily throughout in what was her first time competing in the Leinster championships. She finished 51st overall, the eighth Wexford athlete over the line.

Well done and thanks from Menapians to all those who organised and helped out at the event. Hopefully we will see more Leinster athletics events in Wexford next year.