On Saturday last the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International took place in Belfast with Helen McCready representing Rosses AC in an Irish vest.
It was to prove to be a great day for the Irish Ladies W40 team where Helen took to the line to represent her country. 114 women from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took to the course together running the 6km with Ireland taking team gold. Helen had a phenomenal run to finish 11th overall and 6th W40 and take gold back to the Rosses with her W40 team mates. Days like these are a dream for most so they must be cherished and appreciated and the club is proud of Helen and her achievements.
Rosses AC’s Helen McCready in action for Ireland.
On Sunday, action switched to the All Ireland Juvenile Cross Country Championships in Fermanagh. This is one of the biggest days of the year on the athletics calendar with the All Ireland Juveniles cross country as well as the National Senior men’s and women’s races. The day began with the u12 where Enya Logue and Caitlin Sweeney were representing Donegal. The tough 2k course was a real test but the girls were more than able as both finished in the top 60 of a race with over 200 athletes and Donegal finishing 6th team. The u14 girls had Aileen Logue running for Donegal and she decided to go with the early pace. As the race went on over the 3k distance and the many hills she paid a little for the early pace but really good experience in a huge field of athletes.
Rosses AC’s Leah Ward, Hannah McGee and Keavea Gallagher who represented Donegal at the All Ireland Cross Country Championships.
In the u14 boys, our club team of Eli Duffy, Evan Ward, Ben McGee and Aidan Lynch went as Ulster Champions. Eli, Evan and Ben had strong runs going with the main pack and all 3 showed they are well able to mix it with the best in Ireland. In the end it was a top 50 placing for the 3 boys with Aidan Lynch running a really gutsy race and after a slow start worked his way through the field to finish middle of the pack. The team finished 8th.
Rosses AC U14 boys who finished 8th at the All Irelands in Fermanagh.
Next up was the combined race for the U18 girls and junior (u20) race and it was brilliant for the club to have 3 girls in this race. Kevea Gallagher in the junior girls race has been training really consistently and really well and showed the improvements she has made with the 4k course not being a bother to her and she finished just outside the main bunch and should be happy with her progress. In the u18 girls race Hannah McGee and Leah Ward have really applied themselves to training over the past months and it showed as both battled with the best around Ireland and came away with solid performances that they can build on. Well done to all who travelled to support and help on the day.
Over in the Netherlands at the 15km Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen, Bernie Boyle made the trip having run this race before and wanting to test herself again finishing it a brilliant 7th out of 667 in her age category in a great time of 1:02:35.
There was good news also with 4 Rosses juveniles selected on Donegal Teams for All Irelands in Tramore, Co. Waterford on the 1st of December. U15 Girls: Aileen Logue. U15 Boys: – Ben McGee, Evan Ward. U19 Girls: Hannah McGee. Well done to all and enjoy representing your country. Dates for Diary and not to be missed – Rosses AC Juvenile Christmas Party first and after another fantastic year for the club at juvenile level it’s time to take off the spikes and get on the dancing shoes. Don’t make a brilliant evening this Sunday November 24th for the Jingle and Mingle evening from 6pm to 8pm at the Waterfront Dungloe. Disco, spot prizes, games, refreshments and selection boxes. Let’s Party !!! The Senior Presentation night is Saturday 7thDecember at 7:30pm in McCafferty’s Leitir. All welcome and please let Charlie Postie, Martini Mulhern or any committee member know you are going to secure a ticket. Great night promised.