Dundalk October 23

In all we have 21 juvenile athletes competing with two girl’s teams in ages 15 & 17. On the county front, the U/11 girls have a strong team, led by Gowran athlete Rose Kennedy. The U/11 boys also have a very useful team with Hugh Morgan and Colm Doherty, St Joseph's likely to be the front runners. The U/13 team have strong athletes in Eleanor Kennedy, Gowran., Niamh Bird, St Joseph's, Niamh Farrell, Thomastown and our own Bronagh Kearns. The boys U/13 could see Luke Morgan pick up a county medal with help from Conor O'Shea, KCH, Eoin Manning of Thomastown and Gowran athletes Conor Fenlon, Gerry Walsh , Ben Lahart and Gordon Treacy. The U/15 girls have two top class runners in Maria Kennedy, Gowran and  Sarah Hennessy, St Joseph's, while Daniel Davis could well lead the boys U/15 team home. The U/17 girls led by county champion Gretta Kennedy from Gowran and well supported by Leanne Foskin and Sally Forrisral o St Joseph's and could do well. The U/17 boys are a very experienced side with Ciaran Phelan and Tom Barry from Aughavillar; Robbie Kavanagh, Thomastown; John Fagan, Brian O'Shea,  Stephen O'Keeffe, Niall Quinlan KCH and Brian Dillon, Castlecomer. The U/19 girls have a strong Castlecomer base with Lucia Brennan, Janette Boran and Rebecca Dowling. In contrast the boys team will have a strong St Joseph's base with David Bird, Peter Meggs , Martin Manning and John Doody. However it could well be St Senan’s Colin Butler and Eoin O'Shea, of KCH who will spearhead the attack. Best of luck to all our athletes.

Novice Races

St Senans will have three athletes competing in the Leinster Novice race held in conjunction with the juvenile championships and in the ladies race Adele Walsh will be looking for a top placing. Always a difficult and unpredictable race to forecast but her recent form suggests that she is capable of competing with the best and should lead the county team home. In the men’s race both James Howley and Damien Walsh are part of a very strong Kilkenny county team and will be looking to make the scoring six in a race in which Eoin Everard of KCH could well feature. Other strong contenders for county places include, Mark Ginnety and Paul Cody of KCH along with Niall Sheehan, Gowran.

Masters Class

Larry Lacey, St Joseph's, current O/40 and O/45 county Kilkenny Champion is obviously the in form veteran or master to be politically correct. He should get good support from club-mates Bill Doherty and Rocky Mernagh, along with KCH duo, Seamie Murphy and Ken Deevy. The ladies masters team consists of Maria Walsh, Maureen Kennelly, Teresa Daly and Irene Hennebry all of KCH.