Tough racing conditions for schools runners
The top 12 finishers in the 3rd/4th class girls race.
Athletics: The 44th North Mayo Primary Schools Cross Country Championships took place in Belleek, Ballina, last Thursday, September 17, in conditions that could only be described as challenging. Torrential downpours, brief spells of sunshine and a stiff southerly breeze combined to test the hundreds of pupils from schools across North Mayo who lined out for the annual event.
Despite the difficult weather and increasingly demanding underfoot conditions, competitors produced four exciting races, displaying tremendous determination and stamina around the testing parkland course.
The event was organised by Moy Valley Athletic Club with valuable support from the local Civil Defence. Prizes for the top 12 finishers in each race were presented in the form of vouchers sponsored by Gerry Kenny Sports. Organisers expressed their gratitude to Gerry Kenny Sports for supporting the competition and helping to encourage young athletes on their sporting journey.
The opening race of the day saw Aoibhe Marie Carr (Bonniconlon NS) move into the lead midway through the contest and hold off a strong challenge from Pippa Clarke (The Quay, Ballina) to claim victory. Eve Williams (Breaffy) finished third, while Saoirse Gillespie (The Quay) produced a strong finish to take fourth place.
Individual results: 1, Aoibhe Marie Carr (Bonniconlon); 2, Pippa Clarke (The Quay, Ballina); 3, Eve Williams (Breaffy); 4, Saoirse Gillespie (The Quay, Ballina), 5, Erin Rafter (Bonniconlon); 6, Leona Foody (Behy); 7, Ali Smyth (The Quay, Ballina); 8, Naoise Loftus (Crossmolina); 9, Zahra Murphy (The Quay, Ballina); 10, Erin McNamara (Crossmolina); 11, Gemma Flannery (Behy); 12, Abbey Sweeney (The Quay, Ballina). Teams: 1, The Quay; 2, Breaffy; 3, Crossmolina.
John Lynott (Crossmolina) made the early running before being joined by Jack Sweeney (Rehins) and Cillian McHale (Behy). As the field climbed the demanding Belleek hill, Sweeney made his decisive move and held firm to the finish. McHale claimed second, while Lynott completed the podium places. Donnacha Tobin (Behy) and Noah Helly (The Quay) followed in fourth and fifth respectively.
Individual results: 1, Jack Sweeney (Rehins); 2, Cillian McHale (Behy); 3, John Lynott (Crossmolina); 4, Donnacha Tobin (Behy); 5, Noah Helly (The Quay, Ballina); 6, Brody O'Neill (Behy); 7, Tadhg McHale (The Quay, Ballina); 8, Luke Devers (Currabaggan); 9, Seán Bourke (Currabaggan); 10, Tom McDonnell (Mount Palmer); 11, Seán Gilmartin (Currabaggan); 12, Conor Golden (Cooneal). Teams: 1, Behy; 2, The Quay; 3, Currabaggan.
With the course becoming increasingly cut up following the earlier races and persistent rain, athletes faced an even tougher challenge in the girls' senior race. Eve McHale (Behy) set the pace from the outset and stretched clear to secure an impressive victory. Arianna O'Flynn (The Quay) was second, while Lauren McHale (Currabaggan) produced a determined run to finish third, ahead of Ysanne Harrison (The Quay).
Individual results: 1, Eve McHale (Behy); 2, Arianna O'Flynn (The Quay, Ballina); 3, Lauren McHale (Currabaggan); 4, Ysanne Harrison (The Quay, Ballina); 5, Aoife Butler (Breaffy); 6, Alimay Grimes (The Quay, Ballina); 7, Zara Gardiner (Crossmolina); 8, Aoibhe Judge (Bonniconlon); 9, Sadie Clarke (The Quay, Ballina); 10, Ailbhe Sweeney (Currabaggan); 11, Sophie Flannery (Behy); 12, Niamh McElligott (The Quay, Ballina). Teams: 1, The Quay; 2, Crossmolina; 3, Currabaggan.
The final race of the day featured a lead group of five athletes who quickly broke clear of the field. The demanding hills gradually split the leading pack, with The Quay duo Joe Tighe and James Kelly running shoulder-to-shoulder to secure first and second places. Jamie Sweeney (Culleens) took third, while Beau O'Neill (Behy) and Charlie Maguire (The Quay) finished strongly to claim fourth and fifth.
Individual results: 1, Joe Tighe (The Quay, Ballina); 2, James Kelly (The Quay, Ballina); 3, Jamie Sweeney (Culleens); 4, Beau O'Neill (Behy); 5, Charlie Maguire (The Quay, Ballina); 6, Iarlaith O'Donnell (Currabaggan); 7, Lorcan Walsh (Bonniconlon); 8, Danny Loftus (Crossmolina); 9, Harry Ruane (The Quay, Ballina); 10, Keith Rafter (The Quay, Ballina); 11, Cillian Carr (Bonniconlon); 12, Cian O'Flynn (The Quay, Ballina). Teams: 1, The Quay; 2, Culleens; 3, Bonniconlon.
