• UK Cross Challenge, Home Countries International & Celtic Nations Cross Country (U17 events)
• Temple Newsam Leeds
• Saturday 8th of February 2025

On Saturday the 8^th of February in Temple Newsam in Leeds as part of the UK Cross Challenge, Home Countries International and Celtic Nations Cross Country, Athletics Ireland sent over U17 athletes to take on the best of England, Scotland and Wales. There was over 4200m of an undulating course that wasn’t for the faint hearted and our athletes really stepped up to the plate. The English age groups are different to our own which meant that both Boys and Girls were running against older athletes but this didn’t faze our athletes.

First up were the U17 girls and Freya Renton doing her usual stuff led from gun to tape to take an emphatic victory on the day.  She was followed in 5^th place by her sister Holly and backed up by Madison Welby in 6^th and 12^th Beth Reamsbottom, which meant that Ireland came away with the Team Gold along with an individual Gold and Bronze for Freya and Holly in the Celtic competition. Our Development Girls placed well to give valuable support;13^th Abby Smith,17^th Rachel Keany, 19^th Emma Stewart and 22^nd Kari Foster earning them a 4^th place finish in the Celtic competition.

Next up were the Boys and after seeing the girls race so well they were excited to get going. Charlie O Neill gave it a good go against the English and just ran out of steam on the last hill where he was passed by Luke Walsh (6^th)  to take the Celtic Gold with Charlie (8^th)  taking Celtic Bronze and being backed up by David Warjak in 11^th and Ciaran Consindine in 16^th, gave Ireland team Gold in the Celtic competition. The story then gets even better as Ireland also had a development team in both the Boys and Girls races and Ireland’s Boys Development Team won Bronze in the Celtic competition. The boys placings were as follows, 12^th Luke Merrigan, 15^th Jack Mahon, 18^th Adam Noone and 28^th Rory Armstrong.

This was the first time that these athletes got a chance to represent their Country and they did it so well.  This International pathway is how many of our senior athletes started out into International competitions and it is vital to help other young athletes gain experience and gain confidence going forward.

Athletics Ireland would like to congratulate to all of our athletes and team managers (Mark Connolly, Niamh Fitzgerald, Catriona Duffy and Tom Thompson).

Overall Results Summary:

IRELAND CELTIC XC TEAM U17 GIRLS

• Freya Renton – Westport AC 1^st (00:12:56) – *1st GOLD Celtic Competiton
• Holly Renton – Westport AC 5^th (00:13:28) – *3rd BRONZE Celtic Competiton
• Madison Welby – City of Lisburn AC 6^th (00:13:29)
• Beth Reamsbottom – Mid Sutton AC 12^th (00:13:44)

*Team GOLD in the U17 Girls Celtic Competiton

IRELAND DEVELOPMENT XC TEAM U17 GIRLS

• Abby Smith – Shercock AC 13^th (00:13:45)
• Rachel Keaney – Newbridge AC 17^th (00:14:05)
• Emma Stewart – Dromore AC 19^th (00:14:10)
• Kari Foster – Willowfield Harriers 22^nd (00:14:23)

*4th Team position in the U17 Girls Celtic Competiton

IRELAND CELTIC XC TEAM U17 BOYS

• Luke Walsh – South Galway AC 6^th (00:11:56) – *1st GOLD Celtic Competiton
• Charlie O Neill – Donore Hariers AC 8^th (00:12:00) – *3rd BRONZE Celtic Competiton
• David Wajrak – Portlaoise AC 11^th (00:12:07)
• Ciaran Considine – South Galway AC 16^th (00:12:20)

*Team GOLD in the U17 Boys Celtic Competiton

IRELAND DEVELOPMENT XC TEAM U17 BOYS

• Luke Merrigan – Leevale AC 12^th (00:12:08)
• Jack Mahon – St L O’Toole AC 15th (00:12:15)
• Adam Noone – Templeogue AC 18^th (00:12:35)
• Rory Armstrong – Lagan Valley AC 28^th (00:13:16)

*Team BRONZE in the U17 Boys Celtic Competiton

Full results: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7293300999177895936

-Tom Thompson (Juvenile Committee)