All-Ireland joy for Wicklow athletes in Waterford

THERE was All-Ireland joy for several County Wicklow athletes last weekend at the national cross country competition in Waterford.

Baltinglass duo Abbie Doherty and Valerie Doogue and Dunlavin’s Alva Hennessy brought home gold to west Wicklow when they joined their Kilcullen comrades Amy and Leah Tyrell to win gold in the under-11 team event under the flag of Crookstown Millview.

Over a very difficult course, the girls finished in 18th, 19th, 25th and 45th place and recorded a fantastic total of 108 points with their nearest rivals coming in the form of Finn Valley from Donegal who amassed 144 points.

Inbhear Dee also had a memorable championships. Alex Carey came home in fourth position in the under-13 age group and secured a gold with Leinster in the inter-provincial competition.

Ailbhe Flynn finished sixth in the under-19 girls race while the Inbhear Dee under-19 girls also took the team bronze with Hana Blake, Nicole Devitt and Tamaki Onodera running superbly.

Hana and Ailbhe had further success when they claimed giold with the Leinster team

At under-19 level, Inbhear Dee’s Derry Crammond was 10th in what was a tough race and brought home another gold medal with the Leinster side.

From L to R: Amy Tyrell, Abbie Doherty, Baltinglass, Leah Tyrell, Grace Parke, Dunlavin, Alva Hennessy and Valerie Doogue, Baltinglass with their trainer Deirdre at the presentation of medals in Waterford IT last Sunday.