Talent often runs in families and this was in evidence at the weekend where three members of the Crowley family from Timoleague were competing at the AAI Inter County and Juvenile even age Cross Country Championships on November 27th. Carmel is a seasoned Senior and Masters athletes and her children Gerard (U16) and Carina (U14) are literally following in her footsteps on the running circuit. The event was held in Sligo this year which necessitated a long trip for the competitors. Thankfully it was one of the better days of the weekend with only one or two showers in evidence. Carmel Crowley finished in 18th place in the Senior Women’s race which earned her a place in the gold medal winning Cork team. Seasoned Cross Country athlete Aisling Everard had a fine performance which earned her a 7th place finish at U16 level in a 4K run. This was Aisling’s first individual All Ireland medal but she was unfortunate to one position short of winning a place on the Irish Team to compete in the Celtic Games International Cross Country Championships. She also won a bronze County team medal. Gerard Crowley finished in 41st position the boys U16 race. Running a 2k race U12, Laura Nicholson (25th), Niamh Calnan (34th) and Moira Barrett 37th were on the Cork team which won silver. Completing the team which won bronze club team medals were Gráinne Mulcahy, Ciara McKeon and Ella Stack. Conor Calnan finished in 38th position in the Boys U12 race also over 2k. Conor also won a County Team gold medal. Following in 56th place was Christian Buttimer. Also running well were Michael Laffan, Naoise O’Flahertaigh, Ciarán Roberts and Cian Kingston. The U14 girls had a 3K run with Fiona Everard finishing in 26th place, Carina Crowley, 35th. Ingrid Burns and Eva Stack completed the team. Well done to the athletes on qualifying and competing at All Ireland level.
The Munster Juvenile B and Masters Cross Country Championships were held in Limerick on 20th November. Orla O’Sullivan finished in 7th place in the girls U9 race which earned her an individual medal. The team, which included Meabh O’Flynn, Amy O’Donoghue and Deirdre Brown won the team gold for the club. Ruaraí Harrington competing U9 finished in 6th place and won both an individual and a gold County medal. Ella Stack and Fionnuala Murphy finished 2nd and 6th respectively in the girls U11 race. Completing the team which won the silver club team medal were Michelle O’Donovan, Cora Ní Gallchóir and Saoirse McCarthy. The rerun of the Girls U11 A race was incorporated into the B Championships where Gráinne Mulcahy won an individual medal for an 8th place finish and also a gold Cork County Team medal. There had been s a false start in the race at the A Championships in Clonmel. The boys U11 team of Andrew OLeary, Fionn Harrington, Jack Payne, Aodh O Gallchóir, Mark Gash, Jack Calnan and Jack Lucey won the bronze club team medal. David Laffan finished in 19th place which earned him a place on the silver medal winning Cork team and Thomas McCarthy competing in his first Munster Championships had an excellent 5th place finish. Carmel Crowley took the Munster Masters Women’s title and was on the Cork F40 team which won gold. Tom Laffan also won gold in the M40 team finishing 8th over all and 6th over 40.
Club registration will be held over two nights, Monday 12th and Wed 14th at the Grammar School. It is essential that all members pay their membership fees as soon as possible in particular any athletes who will be competing in early 2012. No athlete will be entered in competition unless they are registered. It was agreed at the AGM that there would be no increase in fees, therefore it is again €40 for adults, €30 for Juveniles and €100 for a family.
The annual Donagh Coughlan Road Race will be held on Monday 2nd January 2012 at which there will also be a walk.