The Munster Novice and under 23 Cross Country Championships took place in Riverstick last Sunday. Conditions were real cross country with the going very heavy and the terrain undulating, a true test of fitness and a challenge for everyone who competed in the races. Both races were very competitive, and every position was hard fought and well earned.
In the women’s race we had seven athletes representing the Club and it is great to report that they put in brilliant efforts in such trying conditions. Kealey Tideswell was well placed throughout the two-lap race and ran very well when finishing 8th. Then we had Moya Whelan also running very well, she was well placed in the high teens throughout initial stages of the race and then put in a great effort over the closing stages when finishing 14th overall and won the under 23 bronze medal. Hot on her heels was Suzanne Shine. Suzanne is having a brilliant cross-country season so far, County Novice and Intermediate Champion, she went out strong and as the race progressed, she was improving all the time and put in a great effort when finishing 15th overall. Then we had Sarah Whelan, another athlete having a great cross-country season, also running very well especially over the last km when finishing 31st. This quartet combined very well when winning the Inter Club bronze medals on 68 points, while Kealey, Moya and Suzanne also helped the County team to win the inter County bronze medals. We also saw great performances from Sareen Walsh 40th, Michelle Doherty 48th and Jennifer Quinlan 52nd.
In the men’s race over four laps Paul Minogue ran very well when finishing 19th. Then we had Joey Feery also running well when finishing 37th. Both Paul and Joey were on the County team that won the Inter County Silver medals. Then we had David O Kelly making his club debut on this challenging course and he should be very pleased with this performance which saw him finishing 69th. We also had good performances from Michael McNamara 88th and Niall O Ceallaigh 93rd. The Club was 11th.