Louth Championships 12th October

Runners were treated once again to glistening sunshine, that wouldn’t have been out of place in the midst of summer, for the Louth Championships in DKIT on Sunday 12^th October. The mud and muck that we expect at cross-country events was no-where to be seen and instead, spectators were happily reaching for their sunglasses. Hannah Stewart running in the Girls U-17 4000m got proceedings off to a fantastic start coming in 1^st place after a truly gritty performance. Next up was the Intermediate Men’s 8km and Glenmore AC were delighted to have ten men stepping up to the plate to represent their club. Shane Toner blazed a trail coming home to finish in a very strong 1^st position followed by Hugh Cashell in 3^rd position and along with Shane Lynch and Paul Savage, this foursome came in 2^nd team position. They were followed closely by Kenneth McBride who managed an incredible sprint finish, Ciaran Walsh, Patrick Reilly, Paddy White, Aaron Cumiskey and Gavin White. Next it was back to the Juveniles with a big field lining out for the Girls U-9 600m. Lucy White put in a determined run to finish in 3^rd position followed by her gutsy team-mates Chloe McCarragher, Anna Dawson, Orlagh Daly, Saoirse McBride, Aoife McGee and Sarah Mallon. The Glenmore boys U-9 ran valiantly all round, doing their club proud – Cillian Murphy, Cathal Walsh, Fionn O’Reilly and Adam Sharkey. In the Girls U-11 1500m – Laoise McElroy put in a stellar performance and with the ever-improving Lisa Conlon and Ava Brady, Kate Reilly and Caoimhe McBride, they finished in bronze team position. Katie McGuiness and Caitlin Savage also gave their best in a very challenging race. James Sharkey ran a very strong race in the boys U-11 1500m, as did Oisin Fitzgerald and Shane Rogan, both showing great potential on their first cross country outing. They were followed by the courageous trio – Sean McCarragher, Shaun Quinn and James McBride. Next up was the Girls U-13 2500m with Ciara Quinn, Nicole Barry, Katie Conlon and Erin Gray exceling to bring home a Silver team medal, followed by their fearless team-mate Breanna Savage. Boys U-13 ran an equally impressive race with James McArdle blazing a trail home to finish in 2^nd position and with his team-mates Niall Brady, Sam Dawson and Ethan Murphy, secured a fantastic 1^st team position. Ian Arnold and Daragh Brady (running up an age) also ran very well, doing their club proud. In the Girls U-15 3500m event, team spirit paid off once again with Maeve White, Ellen Barry and Nicola Ferguson bringing home a bronze team medal, followed by Katie Mallon, Aimee Farnon and Kate Arnold. Finishing off an exceptional day of team work from all Glenmore athletes was the U-15 boys 3500m where Eoghan O’Connor, Fionn Reilly and Glen Stewart showed great strength in a very competitive race to finish in 3rd team position. After a very successful outing, both Juveniles and seniors alike are continuing to train in preparation for our annual Kearney & McBride event on the 19^th October.