Mayo AC women win four medals at Connacht Cross-Country League

FOLLOWING Mayo AC's success in the British & Irish Masters International Cross-Country Championships in Santry on November 12 last, there was some more good news the next day after the third leg of the 2022 Connacht Cross-Country League was held at Roscommon Racecourse.

The third leg was well organised by Roscommon Athletics County Board. Despite heavy rain, the course was in good grassy condition, though the inclines were deceptively tough.

A number of underage events preceded two adult races – women's 5k and men's 7k. Final league results show that Mayo AC won four medals – an excellent performance by a number of runners who ran brilliantly in three very competitive legs.

They all put in a mighty effort at the three locations in Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon on testing courses and in challenging weather conditions.

In the women’s O35, Paula Donnellan won silver (places in three legs - 13, 6, 11), while in the women’s O50, Noreen McManamon won bronze (places in three legs - 21, 8, 16), while Joan Walsh finished sixth.

Pauline Moran won gold in women’s O65. It's another medal to add to the two she won at the British & Irish Masters International on the previous day at Santry.

Pauline was the only O65 competitor in legs one and two, and did not have to run at Roscommon after her efforts at Santry.

In women’s club teams, Mayo AC won bronze behind Sligo and North Sligo.

A number of Mayo AC women in the three legs contributed to the club’s total of 165 points: Angela O’Connor, Colette Tuohy, Breege Blehein, Joan Walsh, Noreen McManamon, Paula Donnellan and Pauline Moran.

Congratulations to the individual medal winners – Pauline, Paula, Noreen – and to the club team, which who won bronze.

Well done to Joan Walsh in particular. She showed the joy of running despite tough conditions and was a key member of the O50 team.