Today was an historic day for KCH with two teams from the club, Junior Ladies and Senior Men, representing Ireland at the European Club Cross Country Championships held this year in Albufeira, Portugal. They were there by virtue of their respective victories in the National CC Championships held in Gowran in November 2023.
The ladies managed by Niamh Richardson finished 10th out of 14 teams competing – a fine achievement. Being without Maebh Richardson and Hannah Kehoe, the first two finishers in the national juniors, Clodagh O’Callaghan got the call to help fill the gap. This she did by placing 29th today. Isabelle Burke was 31st and Pia Langton 33rd. A total of 93 points to earn 10th place. Hazel Coogan was sub on the team.
The men were managed by Noel Richardson. Like the ladies, the team was weakened by the unavailability of US based Peter Lynch and an injured Brian Maher. Nevertheless they fielded a strong team with Eoin Everard 46, Cathal O’Reilly 55, Ger Forde 63 and Jamie Gahan 90. With 31 teams participating their points score of 164 left the team in 17th position. James Ledingham was the team sub.
KCH is proud of the work these athletes, together with their coaches, have put in over the years and the standards they have set and achieved for themselves, plus being such role models for others to follow. Congratulations.
Note. Ger Forde’s performance – participation even – was remarkable given his 136th place in the Seville Marathon last week in 2.23.24.