24th November 2008 - Results and Fixtures

Inter Counties Silver for Offaly Ladies
The Inter Counties Cross Country Championships took place last Sunday on a cold and windswept Tramore Racecourse in county Waterford. These championships bring together the best Cross Country runners in the country who as well as running for individual glory also represent their county in the quest for team honours.
The Ladies race was run over 8,000 metres on a good dry course that was made difficult by the inclusion of a few hills and the cool wind. The race started off at a fast pace and Offaly women Edel Mooney, Pauline Curley and Liz Cuskelly were up among the leading group. At half way eventual winner Linda Byrne from Dublin was in the clear and the field was stretching out behind her. Offaly woman Edel Mooney who was having the proverbial blinder of a race was maintaining her position in the top fifteen. So too was Pauline Curley followed by Liz Cuskelly. Behind Liz, Maire Triona Keane and Pauline Lambe were running very strong. Edel Mooney maintained her form to finish in a great 10th place closely followed by Pauline Curley in 12th. Maire Triona Keane ran one of her best races to finish 27th whilst Pauline Lambe who now lives in Waterford showed she is in great form by coming home in 30th position. Liz Cuskelly finished in 32nd place and Ann Carroll ran strong throughout to finish 45th.

Dublin won the team competition with 16 points with the Offaly women coming a fantastic second with 79 points with Antrim third on 88 points.

The Mens race was next up and was run over 10,000 metres. In a very competitive race Barry Minnock was the first Offaly finisher in 35th place. Declan Fahey appreciated the good ground conditions and ran strong to finish 55th followed closely by Adrian Curley in 58th. John Harkin showed he is getting back to form with a fine run to come home in 66th place just ahead of Catch Grennan who is still hampered by injury. Just behind Catch in 70th place was Martin Carroll and next came John O’Connell who ran strong throughout to finish in 80th position
In the team competition Offaly finished in third place in Grade B with a total of 351 points with Cork the winners with 155 points and Wexford second on 336 points.

Full Results
Womens 8K 10 Edel Mooney 31.33; 12 Pauline Curley 31.45; 27 Maire-Triona Keane 33.15; 30 Pauline Lambe 33.25; 32 Liz Cuskelly 33.54; 45 Ann Carroll 35.21.

Mens 10K. 35 Barry Minnock 35.22; 55 Declan Fahey 37.35; 58 Adrian Curley 38.05; 66 John Harkin 38.31; 67 Catch Grennan 38.34; 70 Martin Carroll 38.41; 80 John O’Connell 41.49.

Winter League
The first leg of the Winter League takes place this Thursday, 27th November. It will be run over 3000 metres and starts at 7pm sharp. Three teams have been selected and are posted up on the notice board. For anyone who wishes to run and who is not currently on a team, just come up on the night and you will be added to a team.

Memberships are now due and cost 35 euro for the year.

Fixtures:
27th November; Winter league- first leg at 7pm.
30th November: Winter League-second leg at 10am in Charleville Estate
7th December; National novice Cross country championships; Ballyhaise Co. Cavan
11th December; Winter league- 3rd leg at 7pm
16th December; Grand National at 7pm. Presentation of prizes afterwards in Eugenes.

Training: Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am (except on a Race day). New members always welcome. On these dark evenings, it is important that all members wear reflective clothing when running on the roads.