Teenagers fly the St Abban’s flag in Gowran with adults hitting the streets of Dublin

Day 1 of the Leinster Juvenile Even Ages, U/20 and Novice Cross Country Championships were held on Saturday last in Gowran. It was a fantastic day for the club with over 50 athletes competing from U/12 all the way up to Novice.

At Leinster juvenile level the first 12 athletes qualify automatically for National Championships as well as the medallists in the club and county team competitions. Overall, five teams from the club qualified through to Nationals as well as some members on Laois teams and plenty of individuals also.

In the first race of the day, Ava Brophy and Penelope McMahon were right at the business end of the race throughout. Ava came home in third with Penelope right behind her in fourth. Meabh Kearney and Kate Kelly completed the team ensuring they won bronze team medals, while the Laois team finished just outside the medals in fifth.

In the Boys U/12 2000m, Shane Keegan led the St Abban’s charge finishing in eighth place. His clubmates were tightly packed behind him with Liam Doyle 21st, Sean O’Doherty 24th and Rian Bolton 31st. This was good enough for third club team and bronze medals. Sean McDonald, Reuben Kelly, Brennin Haughney and Donal Farell also helped to complete the Laois team which finished in fifth place.

The Girls U/14 race saw more St Abban’s girls at the head of the field. Sinead Fitzpatrick showed her cross country pedigree when she took victory and she was closely followed by Baille Bolton in fourth place. Ellie Knowles, Ella Murray and Aoife Lawlor completed the team who won gold medals in the club competition but had to settle for fourth county.

In the Boys U/14 Eoin Dowling led the St Abbans team home in sixth place. Daire O Sullivan 19th, John Conway 20th and Noah Bergin in 28th saw the club claim bronze medals and book their place at next month’s Nationals. The county team which finished in fifth place was completed by Cathal English, Shane Miller and Callum Kenny.

Laura Ayers was the club’s sole competitor in the Girls U/16 4km. She ran a strong race to finish in 10th place and safely qualify herself through for Derry. Laura was a scoring member of the Laois team which finished in sixth place.

In the Boys U/16 Jake Kelly 29th and Dylan Donovan 33rd helped the Laois team to fifth overall. In the Girls U/18 5km, Annabelle Lawlor 16th and Aine Carter 23rd were both scorers on the Laois team who won silver medals.

The Boys U/18 narrowly missed out on team medals when they had to settle for fourth. Will Duffy was first home for the club in 10th place. Kalem Buggy was next in 25th, Shane Stynes in 38th and Eoin Mulkerrins completed the team in 48th. Both Will and Kalem helped the Laois team to silver medals.

Siobhan Burke made a return to competition when she finished 44th in the Novice Women’s 4000m. In the Novice Men’s race Thomas Kenny was first home for the club in 29th. David McEvoy wasn’t too far behind in 38th, Billy Ramsbottom was next in 41st and Patrick Dunne completed the team in 57th. This was good enough for sixth club. Also competing on the day were Richie Harte, Thomas Fitzgerald, Janes Nolan and Fran Fleming. Thomas, David and Billy also scored on the Laois team that finished in fourth place.

Well done to all who competed and a huge congratulations to those who qualified through to the Nationals which take place in four weeks’ time in Derry. Day 2 of the Leinster’s (Senior and Juvenile Uneven Ages) take place in two weeks’ time at Kilbeggan Racecourse on Saturday 8 November.

Dublin Marathon 2025 Bank Holiday Sunday in October only means one thing for the majority of marathon enthusiasts in Ireland. This year was no different with over 20,000 people taking part in the Dublin City Marathon.

The club had string representation across the field and plenty of supporters out across the city. Colin Coyne was first home from the club with an impressive 2:38. Damien Fitzgerald ran 3:25. William Kelly ran 3:27. Caitriona McDonald was first lady home for the club in 3:47. She was closely followed by Sarah Fleming in 3:48. John and Sean Sourke ran together crossing the line in 3:50 with Ethna Sourke just two minutes behind in 3:52.

Well done to all of these athletes who will enjoy a much deserved rest in the coming days and weeks.