Busy weekend for St Abban’s athletes in Kilkenny and Dublin
Emily O'Shea winner of Leinster Novice
RAIN, wind and muck provided a true cross-country test at the Leinster cross country Even Ages and Novice Championships in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny on Saturday, but St Abban’s athletes rose to the challenge in tremendous style.
The club celebrated three new Leinster champions, two individual bronze medals, club team silver and two club team bronzes. St Abban’s athletes also contributed to gold and silver medals for Laois in the county competitions.
Every athlete deserves credit for battling through the difficult conditions, with parents, coaches and officials turning out in great numbers to support them. Thanks also go to Gowran AC for hosting the championships.
Ava Brophy delivered a courageous performance in the U/12 girls’ race, keeping her composure and controlling her position in the field to claim bronze despite a nasty cut to her heel from a spike. Síomha Brennan finished 40th, Meabh Kearney 62nd, Fiadh Kelly 82nd, Lucy Fraser 100th and Rosie Culliton 133rd.
Conor Keegan was in superb form in the U/12 boys’ race, showing true grit and determination to take the Leinster title in style. Joe Leonard finished 19th, Rian Bolton 22nd and Elliot Keyes 49th, combining with Conor to secure club team bronze. Ciaran Doyle rounded out the club’s showing in 61st place.
Bailee Bolton produced a memorable finish in the U/14 girls’ race. Surging through the pack on the final turn, she found another gear when it mattered most to snatch a superb bronze medal. Penelope McMahon followed in 29th, with Kate Kelly 89th and Sorcha Sullivan 100th.
Liam Doyle led the St Abban’s challenge in the U/14 boys’ race with a fine 16th-place finish. Jack Ramsbottom placed 30th, Edward McDonald 35th, Dónal Farrell 43rd, Paudi Murrin 52nd and Callum Kenny 67th.
The U/16 girls’ contest provided a thrilling finish, with Sinéad Fitzpatrick pushed all the way by Lily Walsh of Mullingar Harriers. With the title still in the balance in the final strides, Sinéad showed fantastic staying power and timed her dip to perfection to take gold right on the line.
There was further reward in the team competition. Ella Murray finished 25th, Ellie Knowles 26th and Mollie Kelly 43rd, joining Sinéad on the silver-medal-winning St Abban’s team.
Dylan Donovan led the club home in the U/16 boys’ race in 23rd place, with John Conway finishing 48th.
Chelsey Dooley and Katie Harnett gave the club more reason to cheer in the U/18 women’s competition. Chelsey finished 13th and Katie 22nd, with both contributing to a well-earned county team silver for Laois.
The U/18 men also enjoyed an excellent day. Will Duffy’s strong sixth-place finish set the tone, followed by Kalem Buggy in 13th, Eoin Mulkerrins in 30th and Micheal Connors in 41St Their combined efforts secured club team bronze, while Will, Kalem and Eoin also helped Laois claim county team gold.
Annabelle Lawlor recorded a fine seventh-place finish in the U/20 women’s competition. In the U/20 men’s race, Shayne Stynes finished 23rd, with Jake Kelly close behind in 25th.
Special mention goes to Emily O’Shea, who delivered a commanding performance to become Leinster novice women’s champion. Looking strong throughout, Emily led from gun to tape. Over the final kilometre, she doubled her advantage from approximately 25 seconds to 50 seconds, sealing an emphatic victory.
It was a richly deserved reward for Emily’s hard work, and a proud occasion for her coaches and training partners. Siobhan Burke backed up that success with a strong 20th-place finish.
David McEvoy led the club home in the novice men’s race in 33rd place, followed by Thomas Kenny in 39th and Chris Fraser in 67th.
From the fields of Gowran to the streets of the capital, the weekend’s sporting action continued on Sunday, October 25, as St Abban’s runners tackled the Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
Months of training were put to the test over the famous 26.2-mile distance, with the club’s runners producing a series of performances to be proud of.
Colin Coyne led the recorded St Abban’s finishers home in an excellent 2:40:03. Stephen Lawler also enjoyed a memorable day, breaking the three-hour barrier with 2:55:17, while William Kelly completed the course in a fine 3:07:22.
There was little to separate Seán Sourke and John Sourke, who finished just three seconds apart in 3:38:37 and 3:38:40 respectively. Caitriona McDonald recorded a fine 3:53:03.
Stephen O’Neill crossed the line in 3:56:26, and Eugene Mohan dipped under the four-hour mark with 3:59:53. James O’Regan completed his marathon in 4:08:57, while Carmel Hughes brought her day’s efforts to a finish in 7:02:41.
Congratulations to all the club’s finishers on completing a demanding challenge and representing St Abban’s on one of the biggest days in Irish athletics. Times listed are provisional live timing results.
Halloween celebrations
There was a different kind of excitement at the clubhouse in Monavea as the Halloween disco brought a colourful cast of characters together for an evening of fun.
Skeletons, pumpkins, witches, vampires and minions were among those making an appearance, with imaginative homemade costumes helping to set the scene for a lively celebration.
A sincere thank-you goes to everyone who organised the party, decorated the clubhouse and provided the entertainment. Their efforts helped make it a special occasion for the club’s younger members.
