National Novice and Uneven Ages engages captive audience

Big numbers in Dundalk

There was another excellent showing at the Irish Life Health National Novice and Uneven Age Cross Country Championships in Dundalk IT today (December 11).

The European Cross Country Championships may have taken centre stage in Chia, Italy but this didn’t deter the big domestic numbers in Dundalk.

There was plenty to savour and watch as 800m specialist Fiona Kehoe (Kilmore) had her best cross country result to date with an excellent victory in the women’s Novice 4,000m ahead of North Down’s Jessica Craig and Rachel Gibson who were second and third respectively. Sportsworld packed well to win the team title ahead of Leevale and Dunboyne.

Scott Rankin’s (Foyle Valley) brave run for home was reeled in by in-form JP Williamson of Derry Track Club who took the honours. Rankin settled for silver with Derry Track Club rounding out the podium with a fine run by Conan McCaughey. Clonliffe Harriers won the team title ahead of Derry Track Club and North Belfast Harriers.

Erin Leavy (Dunleer) got the day off to a rousing start with a home win in the U11 girls with MSB’s Thomas Bolton winning the boys race. Mullingar Harriers won both team titles.

Oisin Kelly (Cranford) won the U13 boys with Fiona Dillon (Thomastown) on top in the girls. Westport won the boys team title with Youghal winning the girls.

Lucy Holmes led West Waterford to the team title in the U15 girls with an excellent individual victory while Cian McPhillips (Longford) won the boys race with Westport winning the team.

Louis O’Loughlin’s (Donore Harriers) treasure chest of medals was added to with gold in the U17 boys where Westport made it a hat-trick of team titles. Abigail Taylor (DSD) put aside the disappointment in Abbotstown two weeks ago to win the U17 girls along with helping her club to the team title.

Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry) had a good win in the U19 girls with Inbhear Dee coming out on top while Paul O’Donnell guided DSD to the team title with a classy victory in the U19 Boys.   

Click HERE for full results