Autumn Open International Cross-Country

Many of our athletes were in action on Sunday at the Autumn Open International Cross-Country held in Abbotstown. The event usually marks the beginning of the Cross Country for our senior athletes. It also attracts some great athletes from Great Britain who compete against Ireland’s best athletes. Cheryl Nolan continued her recent good form with an excellent 4th place finish in the Senior Women's race which was won by Bandon’s Fiona Everard. The race was held over 6km at the National Sports Campus where Cheryl was among the leading group throughout until the final lap where the leaders separated themselves. The Men’s race was held over 8km with Brian Kelly finishing in 41st. Brian has been busy in recent weeks after finishing in the top 5 in the Defence Forces ‘An Cosantóir’ event held in the Phoenix Park.
The National Juvenile Inter-Club Cross-Country Relays were also held as part of the Autumn Open event. St Abbans had four teams in action. In the U12 Mixed relay the team of Penelope McMahon, Liam Doyle, Ava Brophy and Conor Keegan finished just outside the medals in 4th place. The U13 Boys team finished in 21st with Rueben Kelly, Edward McDonald, Paudi Murrin and Sean O'Doherty making up the team.  The U14 Mixed Relay team of Roisin Kearney, Cathal English, Bailee Bolton and Daire O’Sullivan finished in 12th place while the last team competing were the U15 Girls who went over the longer distance of 4x1000m. The team of Ella Murray, Mollie Kelly, Ellie Knowles and Laura Ayres finished in 10th place overall. Well done to all of these teams who competed. It is the clubs first time to send multiple teams to these championships where the standards are extremely high. Athletes will now look forward to Gowran next week where Day 1 of the Leinster Cross Country Championships will take place.

European Master Athletics Championships

Well done to Peter Condron who was competing at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Maderia throughout the weekend. Peter was part of the Irish Masters Mixed (O40) 4x400m Relay who finished in 4th place, and the Men’s (M40) 4x400m Relay who unfortunately had to retire after the first leg due to injury. Well done to Peter who combines coaching and competing at a very high level.