A fine chapter in our club’s history was written in mud covered Gowran today. Our junior ladies led by Maebh Richardson in 4th place and Hannah Kehoe in 6th place won the junior championship. Both girls had been running in California last weekend so this was quite a contrasting event. They were supported on the team by Pia Langton 25th,  Isabella Burke 41, Hazel Coogan 103 and Ruth Cody 141. Pia, Hazel and Ruth placed 11th, 66th and 99th respectively in the u18 race. Our junior men despite their best efforts didn’t do as well as the ladies. No great shame in finishing 7th. Scorers were Billy Coogan 11th, Myles Hewlett 23rd, Ruairi McEvoy 61 and Matthew McCarthy 141. Ruairi was also 26th in the U18 race.  

Our senior men, with ten on the team, were superb. Peter Lynch returned from Oklahoma on Thursday for the race and had hoped to replicate a podium finish as he had done in Donegal in 2022. To his disappointment that wasn’t to be. After a tough battle up front with the opposition and the under foot conditions he had to settle for 8th. The consolation was leading the team to gold. Outstanding “Master” performances form Eoin Everard 15th and Brian Maher 25th pushed the team forward. Cathal O’Reilly 1n 24th (4th in the U23 race) brought the score to 72 points – tied with North Belfast Harriers. KCH won on countback to the delight of the large support. The rest of the team finished as follows:- Gerry Forde 34, Jamie Gahan 54, James Ledingham 96, Padraig Ruane 148. Eamon O’Connor 160 and Graham Bourne 177. There was further call for celebration as the County Kilkenny team, comprised of the first six KCH men, won the bronze medals. 

Both teams, Junior ladies and Senior men, as a result of their victories today qualify for the European Club Championships in Portugal next February.

Our under 12 girls placed 15th. First home was Kate Kelly in 10th place. As second scorer on the second placed Leinster team she won an all Ireland silver medal. Other team members were Ella O’Flaherty 99, Eva Arslan 116, Mealla Crowley 127 and Casey Cleere 128. The u12 boys were represented by three boys. Daniel Greene went to the front from the start and after a fine race finished a comfortable second. Eoin Hoyne and Tom Hardiman finished in 104 and 140 respectively.

The never say die efforts of the under 14 girls brought them bronze All-Ireland medals. Sinead Cormack was relentless as she picked off runners to finish 16th. She had Katie Byrne 46th, Emma Kelly 63rd, Ellen Cormack 98 and Hannah Devine 164th in support. Sinead collected a silver with Leinster. Daire O’Flaherty 122 and Fiach Crowley 134 gave a good account of themselves in the boys u14 race.  

Clodagh O’Callaghan 17th won silver with the under 16 Leinster team. Eimear Cormack and Evelyn McEvoy placed 121 and 138 respectively.

Having completed this testing course none of these athletes may fear cross country in the future.