Munster cross-country title for Niamh O’Sullivan

DENNEHY’S farm in Beaufort at the foot of the Mcgillicuddy reeks provided a perfect setting for the Munster Senior, Junior and Juvenile Crosscountry relays on Sunday last, and from a Kerry viewpoint the senior women’s race was the highlight of the day.

In this 5km event Niamh O’sullivan went to the front after 1k and powered ahead from there to the finish to regain the Munster Senior cross-country title.

For good measure the ever improving Maria Mccarthy had an excellent run to take the bronze medal. Along with Mary O’connor and Ann Mangan, Niamh and Maria helped Kerry to silver medals in the Inter-county section.

A big field of runners faced the starter for the senior men’s 10k race. The winner was Michael Carmody from Limerick. The lead Kerry runners were Arthur Fitzgerald 8th, Robert Purcell 9th, Donal O’callaghan 16th, James Doran 18th, George Mccarthy 25th and Darren Burke 27th. These six runners combined to secure bronze medals for Kerry in the Inter County section.

Bridget Dennehy was our leading athlete in the junior girls 4k when placing 4th followed by Niamh Clifford in 6th David O’keeffe ran a solid race in the junior men’s 6k to take 6th position.

The juvenile relays which got the action underway provided plenty of excitement. Our girls U-16 team of Ciara Kennelly, Abbeygail Lynch, Natasha Myers and Aoife Kerins finished 4th. Our U-10 boy’s team of Niall Carey, Jack O’connor, Kieran O’sullivan, Cilian Cronin and Thomad Clifford were the Bronze medallists.

The girls U-12 team had an excellent outing when impressively winning their event. The team was Shena O’brien, Sophie Lynch, Orla O’reilly, Fiona Doyle and Kathyln Moriarty.

The boys U-12 team of Tristan O’donoghue, Conor O’brien, Cathal Collins and Donal Geaney placed fourth.

The girls U-14 team of Christine Cooper, Michala Mulcahy, Katy Reidy and Helena O’sullivan came third while the boys U-14 team of Patrick Warren, Michael O’leary, Fiachra Clifford, Michael Foley and Niall O’shea was second.

National Masters

KERRY had a good representation at the National Masters Indoor Championships in Nenagh on Sunday last. The county had gold medal winning performances from Mike O’connor in the O-60 walk. Sile O’donoghue O-40 shot and long jump, Pat Murphy O50 walk, Patsy O’connor O-55 shot and Patrick O’shea O-60 3,000m.

Other medallists were Brid Stack, Jerry Mccarthy and Jim O’shea.

MEL O’callaghan was a gold medalist in the pole vault at the recent Munster Junior championships. This result was omitted inadvertently from the report on this fixture.

Killarney 5k Winter Series

THE 5k Winter Series in the Demesne Killarney gets underway on Saturday, January 21 starting at 11am. There will be four legs in the series and runners need to complete three to qualify for a price. For more information call Tom Joe O’donoghue on 087 9339087.

A.A.I Games and combined events

THE A.A.I games and National combined events Championships will be held in Nenagh on Saturday, January 21. Kerry expects to have a good representation at both theses events.

Kerry Schools Cross-country

Championships

KERRY Schools Cross Country Championships will be held today (Wednesday) at the Demesne, Killarney. The first race will begin at 11.30am. Kerry Schools medals will be presented to the first six individuals and first three teams (4 to score). Shields for the Best Overall School in girls and boys events. FIXTURES Qualification for Munster Schools Cross-country Championships this year is through regional qualifiers at North and South Munsters. North Munsters will be held on Thursday, January 26 at Salesians, Pallaskenry. South Munsters will be held on Friday, January 27 at CIT, Bishopstown, Cork. Munster Schools will be held on Thursday, February 9 at CIT. Irish Schools will be held on Saturday, March 10 in Galway.