The Leinster Cross Country championships took place over the weekend in the new venue of in Tinahely, County Wicklow.
Conditions were perfect, with good underfoot conditions and a mild day welcoming everyone to the Wicklow venue.
In the Senior Men’s race, Cian Kelly ran a superbly judged race, working his way through the field for a 3rd place finish, leading the St Abban’s to 3rd place as Laois were crowned winning County team.
After strong performances at the County Championships, St Abban’s athletes hoped to carry their form into the Leinster competition.
The day got off to a brilliant start with the Girls U-11 race. Penelope McMahon and Ava Brophy both positioned themselves well throughout the 1500m race and in the sprint for the line Penelope gathered another place or two, finishing in 4th with Ava just behind in 6th.
This was a very strong start for the team competition and with the help of Meabh Kearney, Kate Kelly and Lily Knowles the team finished in 2nd place.
The girls also contributed towards the Laois County team which finished just outside the medals in 5th place.
Liam Doyle (8th) and Conor Keegan (11th) both had top 12 finishes in the Boys U-11 leading the club team to victory.
Sinead Fitzpatrick ran superbly to take victory in the Girls U-13, while the Boys U-13 team went well with St Abban’s first four athletes finishing inside the top 20, which was good enough for 2nd Club and 3rd County.
Laura Ayres had a solid run in the Girls U-15 finishing 8th. Will Duffy had a top 12 finish in the Boys U-17 and scored along with Kalem Buggy on the County team who finished 2nd.
Rachel Ayres had a great run finishing 5th in the Girls U-19.
After watching the Girls U-11, the Boys U-11 put in a similarly strong performance with Liam Doyle leading the team home in 8th place. Just behind him was Conor Keegan in 11th which meant both won individual medals.
Edward McDonald and Sean O’Doherty were next home in 14th and 19th positions which saw the lads claim gold medals in the team competition.
With the addition of Rian Bolton, Conor Kennedy, Sean McDonald, Tom Condron and Brennin Haughney who all had great races this team looks very strong as they head towards the All Ireland’s in for weeks’ time.
Next up were the Girls U-13 who raced over 2500m. Sinead Fitzpatrick moved herself to the front early on and ran a very strong race to take 1st place.
Behind her were Bailee Bolton in 19th, Roisin Kearney in 39th and Naoise Buckley in 83rd.
When the teams score was added together the girls were just outside the medals in 4th place. Ellie Knowles and Lucy Brennan completed the team running strongly throughout.
In the Boys U-13 race, the lads packed very closely together throughout and this was reflected on the team score sheets which sae them take second place overall.
Eoin Dowling led the team home in 14th, Shane Kelly was 15th, John Conway 17th and Daire O Sullivan was 20th. They were just pipped for 1st by Mullingar Harriers who had a total of 64 points just 2 ahead of St Abban’s.
Harry Brennan, Cathal English, Darragh Murphy, Fionn Campbell, Callum Kenny and MJ Dowling completed the St Abban’s athletes in action with Harry and Cathal both also contributing towards the county team which finished in 3rd place.
Laura Ayers led home the Girls U-15 team in a fantastic 8th place, qualifying her through to the National competition in December. She was backed up by Zoe Dunne in 23rd, Katie Hartnett 37th, Chelsey Dooley 39th and Mollie Kelly in 50th.
The girls team finished just outside the medals in 6th place. The County team also finished just outside the medals in 4th place.
In the Boys U-17 race Will Duffy was first home for the club in 12th place which will also qualify him for the Nationals.
Behind him was Kalem Buggy in 35th, James Hyland 49th and Shane Stynes in 50th. Will and Kalem were both scoring members on the Laois team who finished in 2nd place.
In the Girls U-19, Rachel Ayers finished in 5th place which will qualify her through to the All Irelands and her team mate Caitlin Dillon Byrne finished in 27th.
In the penultimate race of the day the club had 2 athletes in action. Niamh Quinn continued her good run of form when she finished in 17th place with Emily O Shea close behind in 19th.
The Senior Men’s race completed the days action where it was great to see a team on show from the club. Cian Kelly continued his progression over the winter months with a 3rd place finish.
Brian Kelly was next home in 1oth. Fresh from his first marathon, Stephen Hunter was next to finish in 21st and the evergreen John Fenlon completed the team in 25th.
David McEvoy was our final athlete in action finishing in 30th. When the team scores were added together the club finished in 3rd place behind Mullingar Harriers and Tullamore.
With the addition of Jack McMahon from Ballyroan/Abbeyleix and Daniel McLoughlin from Oughaval the county claimed gold medals.
