Six individual winners at county C.C

Silver and bronze plus team medals for LAC

October 2009

The first county championships at cross country saw a very well attended (even age group) enjoy a lovely autumn Sunday and a well organised track at stranolar where Finn Valley hosted some exciting juvenile races.

Letterkennys young squad can be well placed with their first outing of the season returning with six county champions, four silver medallists and three bronze at individual level while three team gold, two team silver and one team bronze heralded in a new season on a positive note.

U/10 GIRLS
First gold medal and impressive winner Laura Crossan can look forward to a long and successful athletic career with this impressive showing. Definitely one for the future, Alana Clarke (5th), Jennifer Kilcoyn (13th) and Maeve McEniff (20th) brought a team gold so the medal haul began.

U/10 BOYS
A great team gold here with good packing by the Letterkenny lads Conor O`Donnell (bronze medallist), Ronan Frain (5th), Oisin Bradley (6th) and Cormack Doherty (9th) indicating the bright young talent at the club.

U/12 GIRLS
Another Crossan medal, Arlene Crossan battled bravely over the 1000 metres race but had to settle for silver in a close finish. Out of her age group here, Arlene can go close in the U/11 race next Sunday in Killybegs, Another one for the future. Ciara Finnegan (8th), Sarah Boyce (13th), Niamh Farrell (27th) and Shauna McFadden (29th). All contributed to very good team silver.

U/12 BOYS
Oisin Toal was quite brilliant taking the individual gold after a great battle in a large field of very competitive youngsters. It will be interesting to see how this fine young prospect will do in the Ulster Championships next month. Team gold also came here with great back up from Michael McGrory (5th), Jordan Ryan (9th), Ethan McCrossan 10th), jack Patton (11th), Kevin Kealy (12th), Stefan McCrossan (13th) and Eoghan Bradley (17th). Intensive training nights for the next few weeks will be the orders for these young lads in the hope of qualifying for national finals at this age group.

U/14 GIRLS
new names are appearing in the horizon for Letterkenny juveniles after quite a golden era over the past few years and none more so than another gold medal winner Natasha McArdle, this girl was never headed in a big field over 1200 metres and her majestic stride and storming run saw her run out an easy winner. Also out of her age group, Natasha should surely add the U/13 title to her collection in Killybegs. The clubs U/13 athlete of the year is another who can take the club to further glory, Lisa Gibson (14th) and Emma Horgan (32th) so no team medals here.

U/14 BOYS
Remember these names and here`s another Peter Gibbons, another out of his age group. Peter had the best run for the club in his early athletic career, taking silver medal he surely should also be to the fore in Killybegs. Sean Boyle (6th) also had his best run for the club and with John Russell (7th), Conor Morrison (8th), Patrick Doherty (13th), Enda McBride (15th) and Thomas Dawson (19th) providing great back up team silver was justified.

U/16 GIRLS
Well done to Rose Boyle, Jane Gormley and Niamh Cannon who battled bravely over 2000 metres, another runner and these girls would surely have won a team medal.

U/16 BOYS
Another county title for the very impressive Ruari Finnegan, the 3000 metre race was never in doubt as he led impressively from gun to tape. Again good back up from Odhran Doherty (8th), Ciaran Lynch (11th), but again no team medals.

U/18 GIRLS
Emily Grennan (gold), Monica O`Connor (silver) and Catherine Boyle (bronze) made it a 1-2-3 but sadly again a team medal was un done with the non appearance of a few team mates. Emily was most impressive.

U/18 BOYS
Again a Letterkenny 1-2-3 with Adam Friel (gold), Kevin Kilkenny (silver) and John Foley (bronze) and a brave Ciaran McBride (6th) ensuring a team gold for this team who will surely benefit by the return of Mark English who missed this event through flu.

So a good day and a good collection of medals, hopefully all and more will turn up for the un even age group in Killybegs next Sunday (U11-13-15-17-19). Bus leaves Charlie’s Cafe 10.15 am €10 bus and entry.