Joyce’s fine run earns place on national squad

AISLING Joyce of NUIG proved to be the standout local performer with a fourth place finish in the junior ladies race at the National Cross Country Championships held in Dublin last Sunday.

The talented Claremorris native’s fine run has also earned her selection on the Irish Junior team for the upcoming European Cross Country Championships which will be held in Chia, Italy on December 11. She is coached by Matt Lockett.

The Galway men’s and ladies senior teams made a brave attempt to retain their National Cross Country team titles, but ultimately fell short on the day. In the face of stiff competition, Galway men’s squad were the sixth county team home.

Andrew O Donnghaile of GCH was their top finisher in 59th place, just ahead of Brian Furey of Rathfarnham and GCH’s John Moroney. Their other team scorers were Vincent McGuinness of Crusaders AC, followed by GCH athletes Alan Kelly and the ever-improving Timmy Jones.

There were good runs also from Castlegar AC’s Rob Lennon, Tuam’s Sean Burke, as well as GCH’s Brian O Connor in what was a hugely competitive field which included many Irish internationals. The ladies team were also placed sixth county team, with Laura Shaughnessy of DSD leading the squad home in a creditable ninth place. Always in the lead group, it was only in the last lap Shaughnessy dropped back, but she will surely feature at the top end of Irish athletics in future years.

Niamh Hennelly of GCH and Irene Gorman of Crusaders were both placed well in a high-quality field, with Ann Marie Hynes of Tuam rounding off the Galway team effort.

Jamie Fallon of Craughwell AC just missed out on an Irish berth in the Junior men’s race, finishing in seventh place. In the juvenile events, GCH U18 boys squad were seventh team home, with Eanna Folan, Gary Martyn ,Thomas McStay and Michael Healy all running well for the city club.

Ben Ryan of Craughwell AC took 16th place in the U16 boys race, with Craughwell 12th team overall. The GCH U12 girls finished tenth, while their U14 girls team were placed 13th.

Ballinderreen 10k

South Galway AC ‘s annual Ballindereen 10k was held on Sunday last and it was Matt Bidwell of GCH who took yet another race victory, clocking a fast 32.29, with Colm Turner of Limerick AC second and Michael O Connor of GCH third.

Jean O’Connor of GCH was the first woman home in 42.23, with Rita Kierce second and Maeve Flannery third.