Michael making his mark
WEST Muskerry AC travelled to Conna to compete in the County B Cross Country Championships on a bitterly cold day.
In the boys U9 there was no catching the mighty new talent on the scene, Michael McElroy. He was not going to let anyone pass him and was a clear winner by over 20 metres. Unfortunately, the U9 boys team finished just outside the medals in fourth place but all ran superb. They were Michael McElroy, Tristan Mullane, Cal O’Driscoll and Cormac Healy.
In the girls U9. All four girls battled hard around the course and in the final stages Pippa Murphy sprinted for home and was well deserving of the bronzed individual medal. Pippa also helped her team to the gold medals. Her teammates were Lisa Carey Martin, Aine Duff and Emma Purcell.
In the girls U11, on display was another fantastic team getting better with every race. Rebecca O’Neill battled hard after coming back from injury. She sprinted up the home straight and was well deserving of her fourth place individual medal. Rebecca helped her team to the gold medals and her team mates who helped make it happen were Grace Duarte, Eanna Duff, Muireann O’Sullivan and Sarah Neville.
In the boys U11, Conor Nash was well up for the race. He stuck with the lead group all the way and in the last 150m there was a breakaway group of three. They sprinted all the way home with Conor coming home in third place. He helped his team to the silver medals. The team were Conor Nash, Rory McElroy, Michael Dunne, Ronan O’Neill, Conor Hourihan, Ciaran O`Sullivan, Michael Kelleher and Mark Andrew Dineen.
In the Girls U13, Lucia Duarte stayed with the lead group all the way around on the first lap. On her second lap she was in a group of five athletes and with 200m to go they started sprinting for home where Lucia was well deserving of the fourth place medal. This was her first individual medal at a County Championships.
In the Girls U15, Danielle O’Neill was another athlete to give 100 per cent over the course. She too stayed with the lead group and positioned herself well for the final Sprint. She was well deserving of her fourth place medal.
In the Boys U15, Rory Duggan, who has only been competing for a very short time, battled hard with the athletes in his race and was well deserving of the fifth place medal.
Munster Silver for Eabha Ni Chonaola
It was an eventful day for the athletes of West Muskerry AC when they travelled to Two Mile Borriss in County Tipperary on Sunday last. Again, the weather was showery and cold but all athletes came well prepared.
In the Girls U11 1,500m, Eabha Ni Chonaola ran a superb race. She settled in on the first lap and picked athletes off on the second lap. With 200m to go she gaining speed and took off for home. She was well deserving of the silver medal.
Eabha also received the gold medal for the Cork team. In the club team competition, the girls all ran superb finishing in 8th position. They team were Rebecca O’Neill, Enna Duff, Grace Duarte Anna Lucey, Grace Nash, Muireann O’Sullivan, Katelyn Cronin and Hayleigh O’Shea.
In the Boys U17, Tadhg Manning is starting to make his way back after an injury and he ran superb. He had to fight hard over the first couple of laps but settled into his own stride and sprinted for home finishing in 10th place. He was delighted his race and is looking forward to the All-Ireland now. He also helped the Cork team to the gold medals. His team mate Dara Myres also ran superb.
In the Girls U19 Caoimhe O’Leary again had a superb battle over the 4k course. Caoimhe settled into the race and was awarded the silver medal for the Cork team.
In the Boys U9 750m Michael McElroy had a fantastic run and he battled hard all the way to the finish. He was delighted with his individual 9th place medal. Michael also won the gold medal as part of the Cork team. His teammates finished in 4th place. They were Darragh Manning, Tristan Mullane, Cormac Healy and Will Neville.