Galway Cross Country Championship - Day 1 Even Ages & Seniors

Ballinasloe & District Athletic Club had a very successful day in Tuam last Sunday, October 4th in Day 1 of the Galway Cross Country Championships.  Our club won 30 medals including 12 individual medals – 3 gold, 2 silver & 7 bronze along with 4 team events comprised of 1 team gold, 2 team silver & 1 team bronze.

The u10 girls got off to a flying start in the 1000m with Aoibheann Fitzpatrick leading strongly from start to finish, she ended up well in front of the pack to win gold. Kayla McKeon had a great run finishing in 3rd place to earn a bronze medal followed closely by Clodagh Killeen who had a super run finishing in 4th position and Ciara Power (who was running out of age) had a splendid run finishing in 8th place. Both Clodagh and Ciara also earned bronze as anyone finishing in the top 10 in the u10 earns a medal.  Ruth Kilkenny (who was also running out of age) put in a very strong performance finishing in 12th position & just missing out on earning an individual medal. These 5 girls collectively put in a tremendous team effort & won the team gold.

The u10 boys had a great run also with Niall Jennings putting in a brilliant performance leading for much of the race and ended up in 3rd position to win an individual bronze medal. Michael Coyne also won a bronze finishing in 8th place. Two of their team-mates also finished strongly with Fionn Ryan in 14th place and Jamie Coyne in 16th. Due to their strong performances, they received silver in the team event.

The club had three girls running in the u12 girls 2000m. They were all running up an age, with Ava McKeon finishing in 3rd place with a splendid run.  Mya Kelly and Roisin Grealy both had a good run also.

The club also had four boys running in the u12, 2000m race.  Shane Fitzpatrick had an excellent run finishing in 3rd place to win bronze. Conor Harley also had a super run finishing 4th.  Adam McGreal ran well finishing in the top 10 and Mark Kilkenny (who was running out of age) followed closely behind to finish in 14th place. The boys won silver in the team event.

James Burke and Rowan Harley both ran well in the u16 boys 4000m.  James finished 6th and Rowan in 10th place.

Brian Burke ran out of age in the u18 boys 6000m and had a spectacular run finishing in 2nd place to win silver.

Two of our coaches Anne Burke and Paula Harley ran in the Senior Women’s 4000m along with Ali and Kate Burke and Suzanne Naughton. Ali and Kate Burke both ran in the novice category and had a fantastic run finishing in 1st and 2nd place earning individual gold & silver. Anne Burke was the next woman from Ballinasloe to cross the finishing line, who had a splendid run winning gold in the F50 category. Suzanne Naughton, Paula Harley and Suzanne Killeen all performed superbly and these six women won the team bronze for Ballinasloe. Well done to all of them.

Ballinasloe & District Athletic Club would like to congratulate everyone who participated, it was great to see so many teams representing our club.