FARRANFORE MAINE VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB

CROSS COUNTRY

The Munster Senior & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country Championships was held in Galbally, Co. Limerick on Sunday 12th November. Following a very wet Friday and Saturday thankfully the sun shined throughout the competition. The course was relatively flat with plenty of stick mud following the heavy rain over the last week. Jessie Lynch was our youngest competitor today as she competed in her very first Munster Championships. Taking on the U9 750m with well over one hundred competitors. Following a slow start, Jessie began to advance through the field of young athletes and eventually found herself in the top ten group of runners. Jessie fought hard and finished in sixth place earning herself an individual medal.

Next up was Shauna McCarthy who was competing out of age in the U15 3500m race. Again a large field of athletes in this race. Shauna ran extremely well negotiating the heavy muddy conditions very well and remained in the top 12 throughout the first 1500m lap. As other athletes began to find the course challenging, Shauna looked very strong as she continued to advance her position and eventually finished in third place overall. A great achievement.

In the Munster Senior Women’s 8000m, 4 lap race we had four athletes competing. Maria McCarthy settled into third position from the gun and ran very well putting a large gap between herself and the fourth runner. Maria held onto her third place position to finish on the podium. Next home for our club was Mary Daly, competing for the very first time at Munster level. Not far be- hind was Caitriona Barry and our fourth athlete was Grainne Tier- ney.

With their combined points they won first place for club team. This is a great achievement and may well be the very first club gold team medal at senior level. Maria and Mary were also part of the Kerry County team to win silver, just a few points behind Cork team. George McCarthy was our only male competitor today as he competed in the Senior Men’s 10K, 5t lap race. George ran well.

On Sunday 19th November is the Munster Masters & Juvenile club Relays Cross Country Championships. This will be held in Riverstick, Co. Cork. Best of luck to all our masters competing.

CLUB TRAINING

Maria’s Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise Classes every Tuesday starting @ 7pm at the Sports Hall in Farranfore. €5 per class

Juvenile Training is on every Thursday @ 6:30pm in Farranfore GAA grounds. Open to all registered juveniles aged 8yrs (Born 2007) and upwards. This will be in preparation for the Munster Juvenile "B" Cross Country Championships to be held in Beaufort on Sunday 3rd December. €2 per session Secondary School/Junior / Senior training on every Thursday at 6:30pm in GAA grounds Farranfore. This is endurance training for cross country preparation. €2 club member, €4 non club member.

ATHLETICS FIXTURES

Saturday 18th Nov.: British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships, Derry Sunday 19th Nov.: Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club Cross Country Championships, Riverstick, Cork Sunday 26th Nov.: AAI Senior, Junior & Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships, Abbottstown Sunday 3rd December: Munster Juvenile "B", Junior & Intermediate Cross Country Championships, Beaufort, Kerry Sunday 10th December: An Riocht AC, Run Rudolf Run 5K in Castleisland

Sunday 17th December: National Uneven ages, Novice WIT, Waterford Tuesday 26th December: Our Club St. Stephen’s Day 5K Road Race / Fun Run @ 12noon in Farranfore

Please contact club secretary, Mary, 085-1909509 to register for competitions in advance See Kerry & Munster Athletics website for full fixture lists & timetable for events.