FARRANFORE MAINE VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB

CROSS COUNTRY

The County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country championships were eld in Firies on A beautiful sunny Sunday 9th October. Hosted by our club we wish to pay special gratitude to PJ Walsh and his family for providing all the facilities for a second year. It is not easy to find suitable locations for our cross country competitions so we really appreciate it. The course was a 1000m loop with a gradual 400m climb and a bit of mud mixed in.

In the Juvenile U9 Girls 750m loop we had four girls competing. Rhian McCarthy ran a great race to come from the back and with a sprint finish to take the U9 title. Grainne Costello was just behind her in third place. Kaylagh O’Connor & Clodagh Shanahan, both competing in their very first cross country race did very well and with the combined positions the team of four girls won gold. In the U9 boys we had Marcus Clifford, Evan Doolagh, Keelan Kelleher & Kevin O’Shea. No individual medal but they did pick up team silver medal for there efforts.

In the U11 Girls 1500m race we had five girls competing. Eabha McCarthy was very strong on the hill and continued to pass throughout the race. With 300m to go she began to open up a gap and won comfortably. Next home from our club was Mairead Walsh in 11th place, Doireann O’Shea 18th, Meabh Dineen 23rd and then Niamh O’Shea. With their combined positions they were the fourth team overall. In the U11 boys we had a sole runner, Diarmuid Kirwan. Diarmuid had a good race and towards the end he began to gain a few places. He just missed out on a individual medal. In the U13 2500m race, Shauna McCarthy continued to show her dominance in the cross country scene. She won the race very comfortably. Aine O’Shea, who would not be accustomed to running long distance, did very well also to finish the distance strong in 17th place.

We had a team in the U13 boys race. Cian Spillane had to work hard throughout the race where he and two other boys we stuck together in the lead group throughout the race. It was on the final 300m when Cian upped the pace and won the U13 title. Conal O’Mahoney equally ran a great race to finish in 6th, Cormac Costello was 9th, Malachy Kirwan was 11th and Ben Fleming 15th. They won team gold.

New to the club, Cillian Kerins competed in the U17 5000m race. Cillian, who is a talented footballer playing for Milltown/Castlemaine, ran very consistently throughout the race. After 3K he began to open a big gap and in the end won very comfortably. David Kenny won silver in the U19 7000m race.

In the Intermediate & Masters Womens 4500m race, there was a big turnout again this week by the ladies. Maria McCarthy won the race overall and took gold in the O40 Category. Niamh De Hora was second and won the Intermediate tille. Farranfore club won the Intermediate team title. The Masters ladies had a great day out by taking first and third in the team categories. Well done to Maria McCarthy, Bernie O’Mahoney, Marie McKenna, Pauline Joseph, Grainne Tierney.

In the Intermediate & masters 7000m race we had Garvin Cronin competing in his very first Intermediate XC race. Garvin ran well and was extremely happy with his performance. A great introduction to the cross country scene. George McCarthy was the first home from our club and had a good battle with his mate Rob Purcell (Gneeveguilla) throughout the seven laps. Dermot Dineen ran very well and was not far behind. Well done to Michael O’Connor who took gold in the O65 category.

Well done to everyone who turned out and competed. The next county XC event is the Seniors and Juvenile Even ages Relays on Sunday 30th October in Cahersiveen. Relay distances is 500m for all ages.

CLUB TRAINING

Juvenile Training is on every Tuesday and Thursdays in Farranfore GAA grounds starting at 6pm. Open to all registered juveniles aged 8yrs (Born 2008) and upwards. This will be in preparation for the Cross Country Championships €2 per session

Cardiorespiratory, Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise Class every Tuesday @ 7pm indoors at Farranfore Sports Hall, Coached by Maria McCarthy, this programme is designed to improve all the components of fitness that constitute physical fitness of an individual.

Secondary School/Junior / Senior training every Thursday starts at 6:40pm in GAA grounds Farranfore. This is endurance training for cross country preparation. €2 club member, €4 non club member.

ATHLETICS FIXTURES

Sun 16th Oct. National Open Cross Country incorporating the British & Irish Masters Trials, Abbottstown.

Sun 23rd Oct Munster Novice/ U23 & Juvenile Even Age Cross Country, Ballinahina, Carraig na Bhfear, Co. Cork

Sun 30th Oct. Kerry County Senior / Junior & Juv. Relays, Cahersiveen