Kildare XC Championships (Day 2) - Results

The second round of the Kildare XC Cahmpionships took place in Kilcock, there were seven teams entered on the day along with individual girls, boys and masters.

Girls U9 team

Fiona Coghlan, Kate Harris, Carragh Hayes and Lauren Boyle, the team was called to the start, it was their debut race, the girls were cheered on by their parents and coaches. Caragh was home first in 9th position followed very closely by Katie 11th, Lauren 26th and Fiona 29th, the team finished 4th overall in the team event - well done girls.

Boys U9 team were next, again for all the boys it was their debut race: the teams was as follows;

Ruairi Mac Suibhne, Joshua Dunne, Cian O'Regan, Daire Whelan, David Brennan, the team lined up and were eager to go, there was 60 athletes listed in this race. Joshua approached the finish in great style and was the first home in 10th position followed by Cian O'Regan, Ruairi 26th, Daire 27th and David 29th. The team were 4th overall, well done lads.

Girls U11 team as follows;

Catherine Jones, Ciara Brennan, Cliona nic Shuibhne, Fina Hayes, Emma Cahill, running spikes on - the team approached the start again there was a big field in this race. They got off to a good start, with Catherine leading the team, they had plenty of support along the way with their parents shouting and running alongside. First home was Catheine who turned and waited for the rest of her team, Cliona 21st, Ciara Brennan 25th, Fina 27th and Emma Cahill brought the team home. These girls were great, smiles all round they finished 4th in the team event .

Boys u11 team as follows;

Patrick Flanagan, Connal Hayes, Oisin Casey, David Wright and Tim Garland; the lads got down to business and again in was a very large field. The race was very competitive. Patrick had a great race a finished 6th, hot on his heels Connall Hayes 8th, Oisin in his debut appearance for the club 32nd, David again his debut 34th and Tim Garland brought his team home. The lads finish 4th in the team event.

Boys U13 team as follows;

Sean Flanagan, Lousie Hartnett, Alex howell, Darragh nolan, Connor kiley, Shane Roche, Adam Kenny and Connor Garry. Sean, Darragh Connor Kiely moved up from U12s to make a full team; the lads got down to business straight away and were up against fierce competition from St Cocas, Celbridge and Naas. Sean made his move and was comfortable over the 1200m, Sean was fist home 5th, followed closely by Louis 9th, Alex 13th, Darragh 20th, Connor Kiely21st, Shane 26th, Adam 31st his first race and Connor Garry brought the team home also his first race. The lads did very well and were rewarded for their efforts in winning silver in the team event. Congratulations boys and best wishes in the leinsters

Girls U15, we had three competing for the club in this 1500m race, Julie Boyle, Emma Toner and Roisin Flanagan who had moved up from U14 to make a team. Unfortunately they were one short on the day. Not letting this effect them the girls went out and put in solid performances. Julie finish well in 11th, Roisin 14th and Emma in 16th place. The girls were cheered on by many of the younger athletes, parents and coaches.

Boys U15, two lads in this 2000m race Connor Murphy and Basit Eniafe, this was a very competitive race and conditions underfoot were slippery. Connor had a good solid performance but faced tough competition from St Cocas and Naas. In the closing stages of the race Connor gave his all and finished in 5th position with Basit in 12th. Well done lads and best of luck in the Leinsters.

Girls U17 Erica Dixon - 2000m another competitive race with rivals from Naas, St Cocas and Crookstown Millview, a steady performance saw Erica finishing just out side the medals in 4th. Best of luck in the Leinsters

Girls U19 Aine O'Connor - 3000m Aine lead from the start and was very relaxed and comfortable throughout her race, she finished well ahead of her competitor winning the race in style. Well done Aine, best of luck in the Leinsters.

The final race of the day was a first for Le Chéile, Masters Men 3000m- Mr Tony Brennan and Mr John O'Regan. Having been told to warm up on numerous occassions they finally got the message and limbered up. They stepped up to the line and got down to business. They faced competition from St Cocas, Naas, Crookstown and a full team from Celbridge. Tony took an early lead (not sure if that was a wise decision) and unfortunately lost some ground in the later stages of the race, both men were cheered on by the juvenile athletes and most importantly their children. Larry Kelly made a move at the 2000m and was follwed by a Newbridge Athlete, John stepped up a gear and was in 3rd position and he remained in that position to the finish. Tony finished 7th overall. As this race is catagorised by age, John won the Master 1 race and Tony (the elder lemon) was runner up in Master 2. Well done boys - Congratulations also as both men have been selected for the Kildare County Master team that will compete in the Leinster. Unfortunately John is unable to run on this day as he is running the Dublin City Marathon on the 27th October next.

A hugh thanks to all who assisted on the day, parents, athletes and a special thanks to Rob Harris (Kate's dad and new addition to coaching team) who took lots of photos and even got a chance to demonstrate another string to his bow and administered first aid.