The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Solid Cross-country performances
THE Munster Novice and Juvenile Even age Cross-Country Championships took place at the Limerick Racecourse on Sunday. In the novice men’s race George McCarthy (Farranfore Maine Valley) was the first Kerry man across the line in 14th place overall with John Heaphy from Listowel second county runner to finish, also in the top 20.
Also competing were An Riocht men Kevin Griffin, Colm Lyons and Noel Carr.
In the Juvenile categories there was fine running from Farranfore’s youngsters in huge entry fields, with Ryan Vickers 4th in U-10 boys, Rhian McCarthy 18th in U-12 girls and Shauna McCarthy 7th in U-16 girls. Ben O’Connor (St. Brendan’s) was 11th in U-10 boys and Ivan Quigley from Iveragh was 6th in U14 boys.
Two Star of the Laune athletes finished in the top 20 – Marina Eager was 15th in U-14 girls and her sister Kerry was 11th in U-18 girls. Well done to all the athletes who will now represent Munster at the national finals.
The Munster competition clashed with the Spar Autumn Cross-Country Open and Cross-Country Experience which attracted athletes from both Ireland and abroad. An Riocht had success in the Masters categories with Niamh O’Sullivan taking top honours in the F55 group and Majella
Diskin finishing second in the F60 race. Suzanne Neilan was 9th in F40.
Niamh O’Mahony ran a fine race in the Junior Women’s category to finish in 6th place overall. Her cousin Conor, competing in the senior men’s race, finished in 28th position.
Competing in the M-45 category was Donal Leahy (Lios Tuathail) who finished in 5th place – a result that will hopefully see him selected for the Irish Masters team for the Celtic Cross-Country Games.