Day 1 of the Laois Cross Country championships took place in the familiar setting of Bernard’s Field, Tolerton on Sunday last.
Athletes were greeted by wet conditions upon arrival, with the weather detiorating as the programme progressed.
Day 1 sees the even ages toe the line and serves as the first County Cross Country event of the year.
The course was very similar to previous years, with plenty of hills to really test athlete’s stamina and strength.
In the Girls U-10, the St Abbans colours were very much to the fore with the club taking the first 8 places.
This also saw the club take both gold and silver medals in the team competition.
Ava Brophy took the victory and she was followed home by Penelope McMahon, Realtin Byrne, Lily Knowles, Meabh Kearney, Kate Kelly, Amelia Flanagan, Beibhinn Byrne and the club’s athletes were rounded out by Erin McGuinness in 10th place.
In the Boys U-10, Liam Doyle led the St Abbans contingent home with Edward McDonald close behind in 2nd with Callum Williamson from Ballyfin finishing in 3rd.
Conor Keegan, Sean O Doherty, Reuben Kelly, Brenin Haughney, Tom Condron, and Rian Bolton all came in from 4th to 9th place ensuring St Abbans claimed gold and silver team medals.
The Girls U-12 was once again dominated by St Abbans athletes with the first 6 positions claimed by the club’s athletes.
Sinead Fitzpatrick led the girl’s home with a dominating performance. She was followed home by Ellie Knowles, Roisin Kearney, Anna Kennedy and Abigail Daly.
With Sophie Dowling in 7th and Amelia Fitzgerald in 8th St Abbans claimed gold and silver medals in the team competition.
The depth of athletes at this age group was on display again with St Abbans also claiming the bronze team medals.
Leah Kavanagh, Naoise Buckley, Sarah Milton and Emilia Pamplega ensure all the medals stayed with the host club.
The Boys U-12 was a similarly dominating performance by the St Abbans contingent.
The first 11 positions were claimed by St Abbans athletes with all team medals also claimed by the club.
Eoin Dowling won the race, Shane Kelly, Daire O Sullivan, John Conway, Cathal English, Harry Brennan, Rory O Doherty, Paudi Murrin and Dara Murphy rounding out the top 11 positions.
In the Girls U-14, Ella McLoughlin from Oughaval was victorious. Chelsey Dooley from St Abban’s finished in 2nd place with Katie Hartnett from St Abbans close behind in 3rd.
Zoe Dunne and Molly Kelly completed the St Abbans team who claimed gold by the smallest of margins, just 1 point.
Adam Kelly from St Abbans won the Boys U-14 where he paced himself well throughout to take victory.
Sean Finnane from Oughaval finished in second place and was followed by Noah Carter form Ballyroan Abbeyleix & district.
In the Girls U-16, Kate McLoughlin from Oughaval won gold, Siobhan McLoughlin from St Michaels came in second place and Aine Carter from St Abbans claimed the bronze medal.
In the Boys U-16 race Sean McAuliffe (St Michael’s) claimed gold while Tadhg O Comraidhe (Emo/Rath) finished in second place Riley Connolly (St Michael’s) finished in third place.
Rachel Ayers from St Abbans was the dominant winner of the Girls U-18 where she led from gun to tape to take victory. With Della McLoughlin from Oughaval finishing in second place.
The Boys U-18 was a similar story with recent addition Craig Finn from St Abbans dominating the race.
St Abbans claimed each of the podium places with John Delaney in 2nd and Fionn O’ Sullivan in 3rd place.
The weather got progressively worse as we headed for the Novice ladies race with the wind and rain teeming down.
Kate Connolly from St Michael’s prevailed the winner followed by Aileen Lynch from St Abbans claiming a silver medal. Aisling Stapleton from St Michaels claimed bronze.
The Men’s race was a very tight affair with the team competition separated by just 3 points.
David McEvoy from St Abbans took the overall victory, separating himself from the rest of the field and looking strong throughout the closing stages.
Richie McLoughlin from Oughaval claimed silver, while Daniel McLoughlin finished in third place.
