Cross country times impress

SLIGO AC were well represented in all age categories at the recent National B Cross Country Championships in Clarinbridge, Co Galway.

Rachel McGoldrick had a great run to kickstart the day’s racing, coming across the finish line in a superb 3rd place in the U11 Girls. Joe Campbell followed shortly after with a strong performance to also come 3rd in the U13 Boys.

There were some fine performances also in the U15 Girls and Boys races.

Jack Connor, Eoin Carty, Sam McDermott, Jack Cawley and Daragh Williams put in a great team performance to achieve Silver in the U 17 Boys race.

The relay events then took place and relay teams competed in the U12 Boys and Girls races and the U14 Boys and Girls races.

All athletes competed well in difficult conditions and in very competitive fields.

A big thank you to the Club’s ever enthusiastic Cross Country coach Rory Connor for organising the teams.

Thanks also to Anne McHugh and Terry Hayes, as ever, for their ‘back room’ work. Well done all.

Next up were the Masters ladies team and Masters men’s team. Both teams competed well. The day’s racing concluded with fine runs by Aoife Egan in the Intermediate ladies and Donal Melly and Matthew McMeekin in the Intermediate men’s.

The Master Women’s race was very well contested and it was a proud day for Corran AC’s Sara Doohan as she led the 180 Women home. Sligo AC had great performances from Mari Johnston 43rd, Cindy McCarthy 134th, Carmel Fallon 135th, Aisling Cawley 140th and Deirdre McCrae 160th.

The Masters Men’s race was another great race with Paul Moloney of Mallow AC emerging victorious. Shane Hayes was the first Sligo AC runner to finish in an excellent 25th.

There were good runs also from Seamus Somers in 38th, Rory Connor 120th, Bill Carty 122th, Conal Sexton 130th, Trevor Hunter 141st, Karl Boyce 165th, Niall Melvin 205th, Brendan McCarrick 211th and Hugh McGowan 229th. Overall, the M35 Team was 13th while the M50 Team was 7th.

The day finished with the Intermediate races and the men’s winner was Michael Harty of East Cork AC.

Sligo AC were well represented by Matthew McMeekin in 66th with Domhnall Melly next in 67th.

Well done to all Athletes who ran in extremely tough conditions.

Sligo RFC U12s defend the line during the Exhibition match with Wicklow in Donnybrook Stadium.

The runners had to put up with wintry weather.

Some of the Sligo AC ladies at the cross country.

Sligo AC runners put in good performances.