Munster Schools Cross-Country championships
Date: 12/2/09
Togher athletes were well represented at today’s Munster Schools Cross-Country championships held at Tramore Racecourse Co. Waterford.
The course proved to be attesting one with long climbs and also some long downhill stretches. It was a very successful day for the clubs athletes winning two team titles, bronze in another and an individual silver and bronze medal.
First into action were the Douglas CS minor boys team racing in their first ever Munster championships. The team battled well with some outstanding runs, and was led home by the inspirational Alan Ring in 15th place. He was backed up by great runs from Brendan Couch, Paul Lehane and Daniel Mason.
The Junior boys raced over 3,500m and here the Douglas CS team and Colaiste Daibheads Ian Hartnett were looking to make their mark. Ian settled into the leading pack from the start and eventually pulled away with Sean Tobin (4th in u15 All-Ireland Cross-Country before Christmas). The two had a great battle with Tobin proving the stronger but only by 15m or so. This was a superb race for Ian racing over this distance for the very first time. Behind Ian, Billy Murphy was having another fine run leading in the Douglas CS team in 15th position and with Gary McCarthy 19th, Eoin Bourke 20th and John Durcan 21st the team took the bronze medals in a very competitive team contest.
The inter boys team were without the services of South Munster Schools champion Patrick Coleman who is holidaying in Australia but still put in a dominating display winning the team contest easily. Peter Hanrahan had a fine run finishing in 3rd place and with great runs from Cullen Lynch 9th, Andrew O’ Keeffe 12th, and Mark Seacy 13th they easily took the gold medals. Other great runs came from Conor Foley, Emmet Bracken, Rob O Neill and Jamie Sullivan all in the top 30.
The senior boys raced over 6,500m and had a mighty battle with Thurles CBS for the team title. The Douglas CS team was minus two of their top men due to exams but battled to a team win. It was neck and neck throughout the race with only a point or two separating the teams at times. Douglas CS lads packed well with Brian Murray leading the team home in 11th, Adam Kelleher 12th, Alan O’ Brien 13th. A special mention is deserved of Captain Alex Kelly who really stepped up his performance today to win the title for Douglas CS. Alex battled heroically throughout and held onto the vital 17th place and thus helped the team win the title by a mere 1 point. Douglas CS was also awarded the best overall cup for the 5th consecutive year.
Well done to all the athletes on a superb days racing and with the full teams back for the All-Ireland Schools championships on March 7th we look forward to more success.
Photos from Tramore
Togher athletes were well represented at today’s Munster Schools Cross-Country championships held at Tramore Racecourse Co. Waterford.
The course proved to be attesting one with long climbs and also some long downhill stretches. It was a very successful day for the clubs athletes winning two team titles, bronze in another and an individual silver and bronze medal.
First into action were the Douglas CS minor boys team racing in their first ever Munster championships. The team battled well with some outstanding runs, and was led home by the inspirational Alan Ring in 15th place. He was backed up by great runs from Brendan Couch, Paul Lehane and Daniel Mason.
The Junior boys raced over 3,500m and here the Douglas CS team and Colaiste Daibheads Ian Hartnett were looking to make their mark. Ian settled into the leading pack from the start and eventually pulled away with Sean Tobin (4th in u15 All-Ireland Cross-Country before Christmas). The two had a great battle with Tobin proving the stronger but only by 15m or so. This was a superb race for Ian racing over this distance for the very first time. Behind Ian, Billy Murphy was having another fine run leading in the Douglas CS team in 15th position and with Gary McCarthy 19th, Eoin Bourke 20th and John Durcan 21st the team took the bronze medals in a very competitive team contest.
The inter boys team were without the services of South Munster Schools champion Patrick Coleman who is holidaying in Australia but still put in a dominating display winning the team contest easily. Peter Hanrahan had a fine run finishing in 3rd place and with great runs from Cullen Lynch 9th, Andrew O’ Keeffe 12th, and Mark Seacy 13th they easily took the gold medals. Other great runs came from Conor Foley, Emmet Bracken, Rob O Neill and Jamie Sullivan all in the top 30.
The senior boys raced over 6,500m and had a mighty battle with Thurles CBS for the team title. The Douglas CS team was minus two of their top men due to exams but battled to a team win. It was neck and neck throughout the race with only a point or two separating the teams at times. Douglas CS lads packed well with Brian Murray leading the team home in 11th, Adam Kelleher 12th, Alan O’ Brien 13th. A special mention is deserved of Captain Alex Kelly who really stepped up his performance today to win the title for Douglas CS. Alex battled heroically throughout and held onto the vital 17th place and thus helped the team win the title by a mere 1 point. Douglas CS was also awarded the best overall cup for the 5th consecutive year.
Well done to all the athletes on a superb days racing and with the full teams back for the All-Ireland Schools championships on March 7th we look forward to more success.
Photos from Tramore
