ULSTER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Letterkenny Juvenile News

November 2009

GIBBONS ULSTER CHAMPION, MCARDLE, RYAN AND CROSSAN MEDALLISTS

What a contrast in the weather, two weeks ago the even age Ulster C.C championships in Coleraine experienced the worst of rain, winds and cold. A battle against the elements. On Sunday last beautiful Fintra beach hosted the un-even age championships and sunshine of the summer type enabled athletes to compete in great conditions with a dip in the ocean afterwards a real bonus. Letterkenny AC found these age groups more difficult and any medals achieved were certainly deserved with standards very high and big numbers in each race made for competition of the best.

U11 GIRLS
CROSSAN BRONZE
An individual medal in the first race gave the Letterkenny supporters a great lift.

Arlene Crossan hit the front from the gun and this fierce competitor was never out of the first six as the battle continued. An Ulster medal in bronze medal position was no more than she deserved as once again Arlene indicated her potential future. She can now look forward to Coleraine (6th Dec.) when she represents the Ulster regional squad in the national finals. As well younger sister Laura who a magnificent placing (10th), what a talented pair.

Alana Clarke (25), Laura McCann (42), Shauna McFadden (45) and Edel Smith (59) bravely battled into a club 4th place.

U11 BOYS
RYAN SILVER
A great run by Jordan Ryan who took the individual silver medal. Jordan also was to the fore during this competitive event and a very determined finish just saw him edged out of gold medal position but he too qualifies to represent Ulster in Coleraine. Eoghan Bradley (29), Conor O`Donnell (38), Sean Curran (40) and Darragh Morrison (46) brought the team into fifth placing.

U13 GIRLS
MCARDLE SILVER
Again the black and amber colours were prominent as this large field headed away on a tough assignment. Natasha McArdle brought her county winning form to Fintra and this stylish athlete battled bravely into silver medal position. Natasha can also look forward to Coleraine in four weeks time with confidence, likewise Ciara Finnegan who had a great (15) placing which should see her on the county team. Eimear Walshe (25), Sara Boyce (48) and Sara Boyle (69) completed a brave attempt by these young girls.

U13 BOYS
GIBBONS GOLD
Two silver and one bronze individual medal after three races was an impressive haul as this field headed onto competition, but those colours of medals were never in Peter Gibbons thinking. A very impressive Ulster gold awaited Peter as he led from gun to tape and was indeed a very comfortable and impressive winner. What chance of a national medal for this fine prospect? Team gold indicated the quality at the club at this age so roll on Coleraine as Oisin Toal (6), Matthew Sweeney (14) and Ethan McCrossan (23) provided great backup to Gibbons.Jack Patton (32), Stefan McCrossan (36) completed this squad.

U15 GIRLS
Lisa Gibson (29), Jane Gormley (30), Rose Boyle (38), Niamh Cannon (39) and Emma Horgan (55) continue to give all their efforts to the club and in a large quality field they bravely battled their way to the finish.

U15 BOYS
Again a quality field, and with the majority of this team out of their age group, no medals but again a brave outing. Sean Boyle (34), Odhran Doherty (40), Conor Morrison (41), John Russell (56), Patrick Doherty (70) and jack Boyce (74).

U17 GIRLS
Emily Greenan (14), Monica O`Connor (21) and Catherine Boyle (24) once again indicated their club allegiance by putting themselves on the line in a tough 3000 metre event. Sadly one more runner in this age group would surely have brought an Ulster team medal.

U17 BOYS
Not so the boys who brought home the team silver medal and carrying the teams hopes in Coleraine. Another great display from Mark English (4) who qualifies for the Ulster region, John Gibbons (14), John Foley (24), Geariod McGeehan (28) and Daniel Carr (34).

U19 BOYS
The Letterkenny boys completed a fine days athletics by taking the team gold, Adam Friel (9), Kevin Kilkenny (13), Ciaran McBride (14) and Enda Joyce (16) bringing home the honours. Next outing even age national finals in Kilbeggan on Sunday 22nd November.