Tuesday, November 13, 2018

DECLAN DOES THE DOUBLE AS ELLIE & KEN IN THE MEDALS

Declan Kennedy wins U13 Connacht title to add to U12 crown


Connacht medals for Ellie O'Rourke, Patrick Kennedy, Riaghan Guckian, Oran Butler and Ken Kennedy


Another great day at the Western Region Cross-country last Sunday, this time in Belleek Park in Ballina at the Uneven Ages Championships with some superb performances from our athletes.

Top of the pile was Declan Kennedy who added the U13 title to the U12 he won in Sligo the week before, a harder run against older opposition but a fine performance with his brother Patrick also turning in an excellent display in eighth place.

The two lads teamed up with four Ballinamore AC runners to take third in the Inter County race.

Ellie O'Rourke turned in a superb performance to take second in the U17 Girls race, a big improvement on Sligo and showing what she is capable of.

Riaghan Guckian also made a big breakthrough as he qualified for his first ever Connacht team when he finished ninth in the U11 age group. A superb run from Riaghan who always produced strong performances. Oran Butler finished 20th in the same race, unfortunate to slip on the steep hill twice but a strong display nonetheless. The two lads combined with four other Leitrim runners to take home bronze medals in the Inter County race.

Our newest Connacht medalist is probably one of our oldest first timers - Ken Kennedy showed that Declan & Patrick didn't lick it off the ground as he finished third overall in the Masters Section of the Adult Cross-country League, another strong performance seeing him grab the bronze by a point but also just one point off the joint winners.

Ken was 16th across the line and seventh Master in Ballina. Michael Keane was also in action as he finished 28th overall in Ballina and in the series, he was 17th overall, a great result considering his results were hampered by not getting to run in the first leg. Well done lads

Emily Reynolds and Kirsty McHenry both put in strong displays to finish 34th and 22nd respectively in the U13 and U15 Girls races respectively, two very intense races.

Susanne O'Beirne completed our line-up in Ballina as she finished 19th overall and tenth Senior athlete, giving her fifth overall in the League.

Emily Reynolds was the only Leitrim competitor in the U13 Girls race as she finished 34th while in the U15 event Kirsty McHenry finishing 22nd.

Thanks to all the parents who travelled with athletes to Ballina and for sending us back a few photos that you can see on Facebook.

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