Mayo AC medal success at National Cross Country Championships
Mayo AC had a great day at the the National Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships on Sunday, winning F50 team and three individual medals.
The event took place at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown. Due to recent weather conditions and the impact on the course, Athletics Ireland revised distances and races took place over a 1k loop.
Mayo AC had a total of 13 members competing on the day. They were in three teams: intermediate (representing Co. Mayo), Over 50 women and Over 65 men. Masters runners also competed in their respective categories.
In the first race over 3,000m, the 1k loop was already well cut up from the previous juvenile races, making for a very challenging task. Nevertheless, the Mayo AC Over 50 women's team of Colette Tuohy, Angela O’Connor, Ruth Carney and Pauline Moran claimed silver with a wonderful performance, amassing a total of 259 points. They were just pipped for gold by one point by City of Derry Spartan AC's 258.
The Mayo AC team finishing order (and times) were as follows: Colette Tuohy 36 (14:09); Angela O’Connor 68 (14:56), Ruth Carney (Swift) 75 (15:04), Pauline Moran 80 (15:11). They were ably supported by Joan Walsh 111 (16:07) and Mary Browne 122 (16:42).
In their respective age categories, Colette Tuohy (W55), Angela O’Connor (W50) and Mary Browne (W65) were unlucky to miss out on bronze with fourth place finishes.
However, there was a brilliant return to the podium for Pauline Moran, who won gold W65 again in another powerful display, crossing the line 45 seconds ahead of second placed Linda Finnegan.
There was more to celebrate when Mary Murphy claimed silver F70 with a great run over the very mucky course.
Mayo AC’s W65 team were seventh in a very competitive field. They were led home by John Jennings with a very strong run in 16:09, which earned him a well deserved individual bronze M70. He was followed by Ronnie Naylor (M65) and Jimmy Feeney (fifth M70). Full credit to the three of them for making up a W65 team.
There was success also for the Mayo county team in the intermediate women’s race over four laps. Caitlin Hughes of Swinford AC won bronze and led the county team to bronze (four to count). Caitlín was supported by Sue-Ellen Griffith (Claremorris AC, 32nd) and Mayo AC’s Paula Donnellan Walsh (46th), Lucy Tuohy (47th) and Katie Gibbons (55th).
All in all, it was another very proud day for Mayo and Mayo AC.