Some fine individual runs saw several athletes make the top three in the county, while there were gold medal winning performances from Daniel Davis and Colin Butler. 
We had two teams among the medals but it was disappointing to note that because some athletes failed to turn up on the day, the other team members lost out in several races, where we would otherwise have won team medals. Let’s hope that’s the last time this happens. 
A remarkable feat by the Kennedy sisters from Gowran, Rebecca, Rose, Eleanor, Maria and Gretta saw them win five individual medals from U/9 to U/17. The day closed on a bright note for St Senans when the crack vets team of PJ Irish, PJ Dwyer and Gerry Madden scooped the silver medals with a heart-stopping (or close enough) performance in the O/45 race!!

Ladies First

The first athletes into the fray were in the U/9 race and here Dervala Kearns, Tara Lacey, Michelle McDonald, Hannagh Irish and Clare McEvoy ran brilliantly. Dervala took silver and Tara bronze, while Michelle, Hannagh and Clare were all well placed. Well done girls. 
In the U/11 race there was another individual medal as Gemma Aylward ran a super race to take bronze. Also having a great race was Sarah Molloy who is improving with each week. 
In the U/13 age group Bronagh Kearns was just outside the top three in 4^th place following another fine run, while Ciara Kennedy showed good strength coming through strongly to finish in 18^th place. Karen Costelloe was also well placed as were twins Orla and Aoife Butler. The team were unlucky to finish just outside the medals in 4^th. 
The girls U/15 race saw the club win it’s first team medal of the day as Rosanne Kennedy and Chloe Laffan in 6^th and 7^th place were ably backed up by Eimear Brethnach (12^th), Fiona Dennehy(13^th) and Sarah Dollard(15^th) to earn the team the silver medals. 
In the U/17 race the club again won silver with Leanne Foskin taking individual silver as well. Laura Fennelly ran a strong race to finish 4^th while Clare Walsh was also well to the front in 7^th. However great credit must go to Janet Moore, who showed true grit to be the vital 4^th scorer in 16^th place. 
In the U/19 race Catherine Fennelly was our only competitor and she ran strongly throughout finishing well up in 4^th place at the finish.

Whew Hugh!!

First of the boys into action was Hugh Morgan and although giving away a year to his competitors he ran the race of the day battling shoulder to shoulder from gun to tape with Colm Doherty of St Josephs, who it’s fair to say is a chip off the old block! In the finish Hugh was pipped on the line but what a performance from a real little warrior. Backing him up with another fine run was Donagh Meyler, who is training hard and improving with each outing. 
In the U/13 race another Morgan was involved at the cutting edge of the action, as Luke worked his way through the field and although he got up with the leaders was just outkicked in the final 20m placing 4^th. Luke is a another talented performer and is a name to watch for the future. David Walsh ran a good race too and fought hard all the way to the line, finishing in 13^th place. Next up was Daniel Davis and he too found himself in a battle, as he disputed the lead with of KCH throughout. On the final hill Daniel kicked hard and there was no way he was going to be caught on the run in. A super run, well done Daniel. Again he had strong team mates in William Walsh and John Vereker who placed 7^th and 12^th. Sadly as they were short a 4^th member they missed out on what surely would have been team gold on the day. 
Our final juvenile runner was Colin Butler in the U/19 age group and again this was a two horse race as he and Eoin O’Shea of KCH tested each other over the full three laps. On the final lap Colin put in a surge and gained 10m but O’Shea fought back up the last hill, however Colin is a strong finisher and he kicked again for another superb win. Now resident in Limerick, he is having his best season to date and is now an athlete to be reckoned with. 

Well done one and all, a great start let’s hope Stage 2 in Castlecomer next Sunday is just as successful.

Silver Threads among the Foxy

The last race of the day was the O/45 3000m, where all eyes were on the battle between Lar Leacy of St Josephs and Ken Deevy of KCH. Also in the fray was talented 400m/800m runner Bill Doherty of St Josephs. From the start Leacy made the running with Deevy a few yards back followed by Mile Hyland of KCH. On the second lap Doherty moved to 3^rd with the KCH team packing best to take gold. Hostilities will resume in Castlecomer next Sunday.