Congratulations to the Clongowes Junior Cross Country team of Daniel Reilly, Greg Reilly, Harry Arkwright and Douglas Oman (pictured above, standing) on winning the Kildare County Cross Country title held in Newbridge College in October. Congratulations also to the Minor team of Stephen McAleese, David Gannon, Nickolas Kennedy and Gavin Larkin, who secured silver (above, kneeling). Individual medalists on the day included Jack O’Leary (Syntax), Nickolas Kennedy (Elements) and Daniel Reilly (Rudiments). Well done to all.
Further success was achieved at the annual Three Counties Cross Country Championship, a developmental series of races held this year at Knockbeg College, Newbridge College and St Laurence O’Toole’s Athletic Club in Carlow. This increasingly popular and prestigious series is open to all schools in Kildare, Carlow and Laois and regularly hosts as many as 1,000 athletes from up to 40 schools in categories ranging from minor to senior.
While the emphasis is on participation, there is a serious competitive edge and some outstanding performances from the Clongowes boys (pictured above) deserve mention. The Minor A team – Nickolas Kennedy, Stephen McAleese, Gavin Larkin, Michael Medeiros – came second in Division 1, Minor C – Sean Brogan, Johnny Hennebry, Kieran Clohessy, Christian Duffy – won gold in Division 2, Junior A – Daniel Reilly (pictured right), Greg O’Reilly, Douglas Oman, Robbie Savage – won bronze in Division 1 and Intermediate A team – Matthew Odlum, Pedro Johansson (pictured below), Morgan O’Callaghan, Jack O’Leary – won gold in Division 2.
The real measure of success, however, is the ever increasing levels of endurance, speed and enthusiasm amongst the entire cross country team. Well done to all!
Mr Shane Heslin
