Castlegar AC hosted a very successful Open Cross Country event last weekend, along with the Galway Senior and Masters Championships in Galway Racecourse.
Neasa Ni Ainifein of Ennis Track claimed the honours in the Senior Ladies race, ahead of Orla Duffy of Dublin City Harriers and Caitin Hughes of Swinford AC. First home in the Galway championships was Catherine Thornton of GCH, ahead of clubmates Phoebe Whiteside and Esther O'Flaherty in second and third.
The Men’s race was a fast-paced one, with a lead pack featuring William Fitzgerald, Oisin Murray, Oisin Davis and Mark Hanrahan breaking away early on the 8km circuit. Fitzgerald of Craughwell AC bided his time, and the Irish international powered away midway through the race to take victory by a good margin. Oisin Murray placed second for An Riocht AC and Oisin Davis of Craughwell third.
At Junior level, Simon Kelly of Ennis Track won the combined U17/18 and Junior event, with Claudia Coyle first lady home. Roxane Sands of Moy Valley won the U14-U16 race, and David Fraser of Craughwell AC took the Boys section. In the U12-13 event, Aoibheann Corcoran of East Galway and Philip Griffith of Claremorris were first in.
Ennis Track won the Men’s Open team event with a dominant squad, while in the County section GCH won both Men’s and Women’s team events.
This weekend sees the Galway Even Ages Championships take place, again in Galway racecourse in Ballybrit. The races will run from U10s through to U18, alongside the Juvenile events the Galway Novice Men’s and Women’s races will be held.
The Galway Primary Schools Cross Country Championships take place on September 30 and October 7 next. Open at all third to sixth class pupils, the first day is semi-final day and this year it will take place in Galway Racecourse, with the finals in Renmore as usual.
Entry is via Schools and entry forms have been issued to all schools.
