A Successful morning in Stradbally

Storm Bert subsided for a brief period on Saturday last which left calm and dry conditions for the Leinster Cross Country Relays and Development Races. The event took place in the familiar setting of Stradbally Hall meaning athletes didn’t have to travel too far. The club had a number of teams in action in the mixed relays with 2 girls and boys representing the club across the Uneven age groups. In a testament to the great work taking place in the club it was fantastic to see a number of teams across each of the age categories as well as a large showing in the Leinster Development Races which took place after the relays.
The club were very successful in the relays with no less than 4 sets of medals gathered across U11, U13, U15 and U17 races respectively. The U11 team took gold with Penelope, Edwards, Ava and Liam all running great races over the 250m legs. The club had two other teams in the U11 race who ran brilliantly but just missed out on the medals. The U13 team repeated the success of the U 11s where Bailee, Darragh, Roisin and Shane brought home the second set of gold medals for the club. Críoadh, Eabha, John and Cathal also competed in the U13 Relay but finished outside the podium places.   Next up it was bronze for the U15 team of Aoibheann, Jake, Lily and Adam who competed over the longer distance of 500m. The final medallists in the relays were Aine, Eoghan, Cara and Will who won silver medals in the U17 race.  
The Leinster Development races formed the second part of Saturday’s programme with any athlete who didn’t win and individual medal at Leinster’s eligible to compete. The club had great numbers in action. In the U 11 race the girl’s team finished 10th Club and 6th County. Lily, Grace, Meadhb, Anna and Erin all ran steady races progressing through the field throughout.  The Boys U11 team just missed out on medals when they finished 4th Club and 5th County after packing well around the course. Rian led the team home followed by Charlie, Brennin, Reuben, Conor, Sean, Ciarán, Ethan and Matthew who all ran well. The Girls U13 did manage to get themselves on the podium when they were led to victory by Bailee Bolton’s fantastic 1st place. Abigail was next in 9th place also claiming an individual medal. They were followed home by Ella Murray, Ella Lyons, Ellie, Sofia, Lucy, Eve and Emma. The Girls claimed gold medals in both the Club and County competitions. Inspired by the U13 Girls, the U13 Boys repeated the success of the Girls when they claimed gold medals in the Club competition but just missed out on County medals finishing in 4th. Dara Murphy led the team home, followed by Darragh Buggy, Páidí, Joseph, Fionn, Callum, Rian, MJ, Dara McDonald, Cian, Charlie, John and Ryan completed the team. In the Girls U15 race Chelsey Dolley won an individual medal finished in 6th place and her teammates Leigha and Lily helped out the Laois County team win silver medals in the U15 competition.
The final Juvenile Cross Country race will take place in Tramore on Sunday 1st December where many of these athletes will be in action.