Clean sweep for An Riocht in Farranfore

Tessa Dennison

THE final day of the county cross country championships took place in Firies on Sunday 14th and was hosted by Farranfore AC. After a blustery few days the athletes were blessed with a calm day and perfect conditions for cross country running. It was the turn of the Juvenile Relays, Junior and Senior distances.

Kerry athletics would like to thank all the land owners for the use of their grounds for these championships. We also congratulate all the athletes who have taken part in the Kerry cross country events and to all the clubs and supporters who have help marshalled and steward the events.

There was a clean sweep for An Riocht AC in the Senior Women’s and Men’s races with the top three spots and gold team medals going to the club in both categories. Shona Heaslip took the women’s title with Niamh O’Sullivan second and Sharon Cahill third.

The men’s title went to Conor O’Mahony with James Doran second and Tim O’Connor third. The Junior Women’s title went to Niamh O’Mahony (An Riocht), second was Maeve O’Sullivan (Star of the Laune) and third across the line was Emily Pierse (Lios Tuathail).

Oisin Spillane (Tralee Harriers) won the Junior Men ahead of Daragh O’Leary from Killarney Valley and Luke O’Callaghan from An Riocht.

The excitement of the day as always was the relays and the thrill of the juveniles competing against one another. There were some great performances from these young athletes and thrilling battles to the finish.

Boys U10 1st Tralee Harriers AC, 2nd Kenmare AC, 3rd Farranfore Maine Valley AC

Girls U10 1st An Riocht, 2nd Star of the Laune AC, 3rd Lios Tuathail AC

Boys U12 1st St. Brendan’s AC, 2nd Lios Tuathail AC, 3rd Spa-Fenit Barrow AC

Girls U12 1st Spa-Fenit Barrow AC, 2nd Farranfore Maine Valley AC, 3rd Lios Tuathail AC

Boys U14 1st Killarney Valley AC, 2nd Spa-Fenit Barrow AC, 3rd Kenmare AC

Girls U14 1st Lios Tuathail AC, 2nd An Riocht, 3rd Farranfore Maine valley AC

Boys U16 1st Farranfore Maine Valley AC, 2nd Killarney Valley AC, 3rd Gneeveguilla AC

Girls U16 1st Iveragh AC, 2nd Gneeveguilla AC, 3rd Farranfore Maine Valley AC

Kenmare AC finished first overall with a final tally of 218 points to take the Juvenile Cross-Country Shield for the ninth consecutive year. Runner-up was Farranfore Maine Valley AC with a tally of 165 points and in third place is Iveragh AC with a final total of 124 points.

Up next is the Munster Juvenile Even Age, Novice & U-23 Cross Country Championships on next Sunday in Beaufort. Kerry Athletics asks clubs to support this event and help with the marshalling.