(report & photos by Tom Laffan)

The Woodies National UnEven Age XC championships took place on December 15th in conjunction with the Novice Championships on the grounds of Waterford Institute of Technology just on the outskirts of Waterford city. The event was hosted by Waterford Athletic Club in association with Athletics Ireland. We were familiar with this venue as it hosted a Munster XC championship last year but changes to the course layout this year removed the severe hill climb which proved very challenging last year. It was still nonetheless a very testing course for all athletes today but the well organised course layout also provided ample opportunity for free flowing running. Waterford AC have to be commended for the excellent facilities, event organisation and for the warm welcome provided to all. Given the storm like conditions on the previous day we were very lucky to escape with a relatively dry day with a light enough wind. It is worth noting that the competition to qualify for this national event is very hard to achieve and all athletes who competed today should be very proud to achieve such a high standard. Bandon Athletic club had 18 athletes who qualified across the various juvenile ages.
The first race of the day was the Girls U11 and we were very well represented by Jane Buckley, Clare Flynn, Lilly Munday, Nicola Tuthill , Orla O’Sullivan, and Amy O’Donoghue. There was large field of 150 competitors in this U11 race and all the girls ran really well today to take silver club title. After winning 3rd club in Munster back on November 10th in Castlelyons , to win the 2nd place national club title is a remarkable result so well done girls and coaches. Jane Buckley also earned herself two other Gold medals by helping Munster and Cork win the Provincial and County titles.
Keelan Crowley was our next club athlete in action competing on the Cork team in the Boys U1 race. There were 158 athletes in Keelans race and he ran a very strong race and was a crucial scorer on the Cork team helping them will the Bronze medal place. Grainne Mulcahy competing on the Cork team in the Girls U13 race ran very well and just missed out on the scoring Cork team.
The Girls U15 of Laura Nicholson, Aoibh Cassidy, Niamh Munday, Caoimhe Ni Suilleabhain, Alice Symington and Moira Barrett were our next team in action and they had a 3500m course to complete. All girls ran really well today in a very competitive race and all should be delighted with their performances. Laura Nicholson competing out of age today scored on the Cork and Munster teams helping them Gold and Silver. In the Girls U17 the team of Fiona Everard, Sinead Caulfield, Lulu Keane and Bethany Haigue had a 4000m course to cover with two loops of the challenging hill to complete which was a real test of stamina for all. Fiona competing out of age earned herself an individual medal by finishing in 9th place. She was the 2nd Munster athlete home and helped Munster win the Bronze medal. Fiona, Bethany and Lulu also scored on the Cork team helping the county win the bronze medal place. Fiona is in action next on January 4th when she competes on the Irish team in Celtic Games Cross Country in Antrim.
Ronan Duggan was our only club athlete competing in Novice championship today running on the Cork team. He had a great race working his way up through the field throughout the race. He finished in 34th place out of a competitive field of 222. He was the 5th Cork athlete home and he helped the County team win the silver medal place.
Well done to all athletes and supporters who have braved various XC courses and weather conditions over the season. I’m sure you are looking forward a festive and well earned break. Merry Christmas to all.

Selection of pics

The Munster  Juvenile Cross Country Development and Munster Master Championships took place in Beaufort, Co.Kerry today and all athletes competing were treated to a great course in a very picturesque Kerry setting. The event was being hosted by Star of Luane AC in conjunction with the Kerry County Athletics Board.  We’ve competed at this same course last year so most of athletes knew that the course was run over a fast flat course with a lovely mountain back drop. The overcast but dry and fresh day provided excellent running conditions.
 
The Girls U9 team of Maeve Kelly, Aoibheann Cotter and twin sisters Aisling and Kate O’Connor. All four girls raced the 750 m loop with great determination and were well rewarded by taking the 1st Munster club prize. This is the first Munster medals for this group of girls so well done. Maeve and Aisling won individual medals by finishing in 5th and 11th place. Maeve, Aisling and Kate also scored on the Cork team helping the county win Gold.
 
The rest of the juvenile races for the day were left to he boys in the club to challenge. The Boys U11 team of Ruairi Harrington, Mark Collins, Max Hallahan, Luke Quinlan, Jacob O’Driscoll and Callum McCourt were next up for the club and they had a 1000m loop course to complete. The race was went off fast form the start and race positions continued to change throughout the race – all boys ran really well to earn themselves the well deserved Munster club winning title. Luke(5th), Callum(6th) and Mark(10th)  won individual medals and also scored on the Cork team helping them to win Gold.
 
Fionn Harrington and Andrew O’Leary competed up and age in the U13 boy’s race and they had to run over 1500m loop course which took the athletes out over the second field.  Andrew ran a very strong race and should be very happy with his placing. Fionn who recently competed in U12 National Championships finished in 11th place today earning himself an individual medal and was also the 6th Cork scorer helping the county team win Gold.
 
David Laffan, Fiachra Harrington and Owen McCarthy competed in the Boys U17 race over a 3000m course. All 3 lads ran great races today and with David (8th) , Owen (10th) and Fiachra (13th). David and Owen won individual medals and also scored on the Cork team winning Gold. Fiachra was very unlucky to miss out on 12th place, he set the pace for the entire race with the Carrig Nabhfear athlete in pursuit and just missed on the final sprint to the finish. The boys U19 team of Alan Cremin, Adam Casey, Killian McSweeney and Ciaran Murphy had a 4000m course to complete. Ciaran and Adam challenged one another stride for stride for the first 3000m but with 1000m to go Ciaran pushed on to take the Munster title with Adam finishing in 2nd and Killian in 3rd. Alan had a great run today and was a crucial member of the team helping the club win the Munster title. All four lads also helped to ensure that Cork won the Munster title.
 
Carmel Crowley competed in the Women’s Masters and she battled from the start for the lead position and ran a great race to finish in second place. She did however win the O45 section of the race. Tom Laffan also competed in the means masters race and with the much appreciated vocal support from fellow club supporters he had a very enjoyable run.
 
Well done to all today.
Report by Tom Laffan. Pictures by Tom and Finbarr Harrington