Round 1 Leinster Cross Country 24th October 2010

Round 1 was held in the grounds of Belvedere House, Mullingar, in fantastic Sunshine. First up were Emma Browne, Fina Hayes and Aibhine Grimes, competing in the U12's, unfortunately the girls fellow team member Kate Harris had to pull out just before the start. Never the less the girls were put in their pen and they awaited the gun!, then they were off in a very competative race the girls ran up and down a number of hills that made up the 2k tough courseand they were all glad to see the finish line. The girls finished Fina80,Aighine 81 & Emma 91 in a race that had over 160 competitors. It was the first time both Emma and Aibhine competed at Leinster level, Emma Bowne has also moved up an year to compete. So well done the girls. Fina and Emma will compete in the Next round of the Leinsters also on 7th November in Wexford,

Next up was Liam Murphy, this was his debut race, Liam didn't compete in the Kildares. Liam had a good start and moved forwards passing out many athletes on the way. Liam was also running 2k, again a very competative race and he gave it his all, with legs turning to jelly he made his last push on for the line and finished a very respectable 33rd again out of over 150 athletes. The kildare boys team finished as the 2nd County and Liam scored on this team, he was the fifth Kildare Boy home and earned himself a well deserved Silver medal (he hasn't received it yet). Liam will now run on the Kildare team at the All-Ireland Championships.

U14 boys were up next, Conor Kiely, Conall Hayes and Sean Flanagan, all the boys got out well but unfortunately lost some ground during the 3k race, they all raced well, but I'm unsure of where they finished, its hard to judge with 160 in a race. The Kildare team were 3rd County but they results aren't up on the Leinster web site yet so not sure if all the lads scored on the Kildare team. So watch this space.........well done boys. Conall and Sean will also be competing on 7th November. Leinster have posted the results, delighted to say that Kildare County Boys U14 took third County and both Sean (27th) and Conall (37th) scored on the Kikldare team.

The last competitor was Conor Murphy, stepping up a year and running a very tough 6k. Conor got a good start and was with the leaders at 2k, not sure what exactly happened, Conor began loosing ground and the learders began to pull away, at 4k Conor dug deep and regained his concentration and did well to finish a very respectable 14th, just missing out on the provincial team. Kildare County did not have an u18 team in this race unfortunately. Conor will compete in his own age group on 7th November in Wexford. Best of luck all.

Many thanks to parents for your continued support and thanks to Liams dad Willie for the photo's. They will be posted for you to see.