Strong start from West Muskerry AC
THERE were fantastic results from the West Muskerry AC on Sunday last at the West Cork Cross Country Championships, their opening race of the cross-country season. It was the first competition for a lot of the athletes and they all proved they are great athletes when everyone of them crossed the finish line.
In the girls U12 1,500m, Eabha Ni Chonaola went to the front very early on in the race. She paced herself throughout the race and there were only two of them left in front with 800m to go. In the last 150m both girls sprinted for the finish line and Eabha proved the stronger on this occasion, finishing in first place.
She also captained the team to gold. The team included Eabha Ni Chonaola, Rebecca O’Neill, Anna Lucey, Grace Duarte, Siobhan Ni Bhriain, Grace Nash, Olivia Moynihan, Suin O’Connor and Roise O`Connor.
In the Girls U14 2,000m, Lucia Duarte also had a superb race. She stayed with the lead pack and battled hard over the tough but fair course. She sprinted with 300m to go and was well deserving of the bronze medal. She captained her team to the bronze medals. The team were Eimear O’Sullivan, Kate Downey and Fern Mullane.
In the Boys U16 3,000m, the West Muskerry boys put in a fantastic effort and were well rewarded. Darren Moynihan finished in second place and Breandan O’Sullivan put in a fierce battle right to the finish line and was awarded third place. Paul Downey made his comeback after being out injured for a few years and he ran superbly. The team finish in first place.
In the Girls U16 3,000m, Brigin Kelleher went out with the lead group and on the final lap the lead group were well clear of the rest of the athletes. In the sprint to the finish Brigin was awarded the bronze medal. The icing on the cake came when the team won the gold medals. The team were Brigin Kelleher, Rachel Kelleher, Aoife Downey, Lisa Kingston, Siobhan O`Leary and Beibhinn Moynihan
The Girls U10 1,000m was a very exciting race and they were well rewarded for their efforts winning the gold medal. It was s great achievement as it was their first-time in a cross country race. The team were Isobelle Lucey, Emma Purcell, Aine Kierse, Aisling Ring, Aine Duff, and Milly Bullman
In the Boys U10 1,000m, Darragh Manning had a stormer and was with in the lead group all the way. In a massive sprint to the finish line between all four lead boys, Darragh just got caught and finished fourth.
He captained his team to the silver medals – Darragh Manning, Tristan Mullane, Cal O’Driscoll and Fionn Fabrizi.
In the Junior Men 4,000m, Sean O’Sullivan made a comeback after stopping for his Leaving Cert and he finished in third place.
He captained the team to the gold medals – Tadhg Manning and Conor Lucey.
In the Senior/Novice and Master Men the West Muskerry men were out in force. Medal winners were Patrick Lynch and Sean O’Lionaird, first and second in Master and Richard Lucey was third in the Novice and the team won silver. The team was John Cronin, Henry Browne, Michael McSweeney, Richard Lucey, Patrick Lynch, Sean O’Lionard, Jeremy Kelleher and Jim Lucey.
Meanwhile, there was gold for Para athlete Stephen Bradley in the discus and a gold medal in the javelin on Saturday last at the Throws fest.