Weekend Roundup 15th December 2018

15th December 2018

The National Cross County for Uneven ages was held Navan. 22 athletes set off to Navan today. The Racecourse in Navan is tough with a hill start, a series of sharp bends and a 100m hill on the home stretch to the finish. But the U11s felt the course was handy compared to last year’s mucky Nationals in Galway with snowstorms. Storm Deirdre orange warnings for the afternoon had everyone anxious to get the races over before the heavy rain and gale force winds hit the country.

Well done to all the athletes competing, participating in the Nationals is such a big achievement. Races had up to 180 athletes, the top athletes from the counties and provincials. The competition is tough and it comes with lots of pushing, shoving, falling and tears. But it also comes with great personal performances and individual satisfaction. Hats (woolly ones!) off to anyone who gets the chance to participate and survives to become club legends.

Highlights today included Hannah Kehoe in the girls U15 who took to the lead on the home stretch and pulled away from the chasing group. Emma Landers (Youghal) produced a last gasp surge on the uphill finishing straight to catch Hannah a short distance from the finish. Silver for Hannah. Hannah was also part of the Leinster team which came 1st. Amazing achievement to come home with 2 National Medals. In the Boys U15, Billy Coogan ran a very steady race and finished strong moving through the pack from 30th to finish in 23rd. Billy was the 4th Kilkenny boy home and the county team came 3rd. Bronze for Billy!

We had 3 Novice athletes participating, Katie O’Brien, Dean Rowe and Johann Muller. Katie’s first national competition and she did well to finish 108 in a field of 151. In the Men’s Novice a huge field of 254. Dean came 62nd and Johann 201st. Both were on the county team which came 12th.

Athletics Ireland Race Report and Full Results

Gowran Club Results:

U11 GIRLS – 1500m
70 Orla Brennan
112 Lucy Coomey
118 Eve Doyle
145 Ailbhe Steger
146 Eimear Brennan
152 Kate Hayden

16th Club Team

Full U11Girls Results

U11 BOYS – 1500m
44 Tom Kehoe*
46 Conor Carroll*
97 Tomas Carroll*
124 David Magee
147 Sam McAviney

*6th County Team
12th Club Team

Full U11 Boys Results

U13 GIRLS – 2500m

53 Ruth Fogarty
79 Rachel O’Neill *
80 Hazel Coogan
128 Alexandra Brennan

Sarah Kehoe (DNF)

*4th County Team
15th Club Team