Last Sunday athletes from Waterford made the long trip to Ballyhaise Co.Cavan for the All Ireland Cross Country Championships and it proved very successful for three who emerged as winners in their particular grades.
In addition the county team had a fine team victory in the men’s Novice race.
The Winners
In the ladies novice race there was a brilliant win by Patricia Barry from Ferrybank AC and again at Novice level Ravis Zakis from West Waterford had a very positive run to finish 4th overall and he led the Waterford team to a famous victory in the Inter County section.
The other members of the team were Frank Halley Ferrybank 8th, James Ledingham WWAC, Ferdia o’hAodha, Ferrybank AC, Sean Stillwell WWAC, Gavin Downey Ferrybank, Kevin Cooper, F/B, Harry O’Brien F/B, Graham Power, Kevin Kenneally WWAC .
Ferrybank AC won the silver team medal in the novice mens also.
Two Juvenile Victories
In the juvenile section there were two Waterford victories. Shane Quinn De La Salle was a runaway winner of the U-17 title to add to the U-18 he won in Tramore a few weeks back. On Sunday he was never in danger and retained his unbeaten run in All Ireland Cross Country Championship since his first win in the U-13 grade, the second under-age win came from a young athlete from West Waterford AC Sinead Flynn and she too did it in style against the best of the country at U-11 level.
In the boys U-19 section two athletes from Ferrybank AC had very good runs after being up in the leading group all through. Paddy Flynn took the silver medal and just two places behind in fourth place was Paddy Hogan. Other athletes to figure prominently were Elma Nugent WWAC 10th, U-19 Rhuin Mitchell and Gary Cantwell KCK, Kate Veale WWAC, twins Beth and Kitty Walsh, Niamh Ryan and Cormac McCann Ferrybank. In the U-19 girls inter club team section Ferrybank AC were third and WWAC U-11 girls were 4th.
European Cross Country
Next Sunday the European Cross Country Championships are in Brussels and four athletes from Waterford are on the Irish teams. Daivd McCarthy WWAC will run on the Irish U-23 team and his sister Loraine who runs with Ferrybank will compete at Junior Level.
The others running are both from Ferrybank and on the Junior Men’s team Paddy Flynn and Paddy Hogan – we wish all four the very best.
Local Races on Sunday
City race in aid of Waterpark NS will start at the RSC with entries from 10am.
The other race is starting at The Marine Bar on the main Dungarvan to Youghal Road and again entries will be taken at the venue at 10am. The proceeds go to the South-east Cancer Foundations new unit in the city.
Winter League
The Paddy Byrne winter league in the city is attracting hundreds of participants each Thursday and after this week there will be a break until the New Year. Anyone who is doing the Baldy man Run on December 28th might like to take a sponsorship card at the RSC for the Alzheimer Society.
On St.Stephen’s Day at 11am WWAC have their annual 5 Miles Charity Run in Dungarvan.
Joe Calls It A Day
After an absolutely brilliant career inMasters Athletics, Joe Gough WWAC has finally called it a day. In his time Joe won 45 Irish titles, six British, two European and world silver medals also. In the years ahead not alone in the Masters track and field but also in the various road races around the country Joe’s presence will be missed.
All involved in the sport wish him all the very best.
