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Month: November 2019

Grand Nationals in Abbotstown 2019

Grand Nationals in Abbotstown 2019

After the heavy rains of late, the National Cross Country course in Abbotstown provided a challenging and muddy venue for the 2019 Even Age and Senior National Cross Country Championships.  The nationals represent a culmination of the year for many – a chance to show the fitness gains made in the long weeks and months of training since the Summer, but also tricky to be right on the day.  Coming from Connacht, the standard can be a shock to the system and…

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Great weekend for Mark, Caron and Jack

Great weekend for Mark, Caron and Jack

Mark 3rd from left with the Irish M45 team Mark Davis made his international debut at the weekend when representing Ireland in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country held in Aintree on Saturday. It was a fantastic achievement for Mark to be selected to represent our country and just reward for years of dedication to the sport. An impressive performance saw Mark place 9th overall and in the process help the Irish team to silver medals behind England and ahead…

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Best of luck Mark!

Best of luck Mark!

Mark racing to victory in the Headford 8k 2008 (photo nicked from Athenry AC website) Best of luck to coach extraordinaire and cross country specialist Mark Davis who represents Ireland this Saturday in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships on the fabled grounds of Aintree racecourse. There’s clearly something in the water in Cahercrin that helps its residents make the grade for Aintree or Cheltenham! To my knowledge, Mark becomes the first coach from the club to be selected…

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Medals Galore in Beautiful Beleek

Medals Galore in Beautiful Beleek

The morning was cold and misty on the road from Galway but as we neared Ballina the sun cracked through to reveal a beautiful Cross Country Course.  Each time I visit Beleek I get a little more envious – with the ample grass, hills, wooded loops, clubhouse and track, it really is a showcase Athletics training facility and is improving all the time – a credit to all concerned.  The event was run splendidly by host club Moy Valley AC…

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Leanagh Claims National Bronze!

Leanagh Claims National Bronze!

Leanagh Gilligan with a super performance at the Irish Schools Combined Events in Athloneto place 3rd in the Senior Girls age group A number of athletes from the club made the short trip to Athlone IT yesterday for the Irish Schools Combined Events where Leanagh Gilligan shined to claim the bronze medal in the Senior Girls Pentathlon. It was Leanagh’s first individual national medal since soaring to the gold medal in the U12 Girls High Jump in 2013 despite going close…

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Info for tomorrow’s xcountry in Ballina

Info for tomorrow’s xcountry in Ballina

The Connaught Cross Country Championships (under 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, Seniors, Master’s) will take place in Belleek, Ballina on the 10th of November with the first race to start at 12:00. The finest cross country runners from the Western region encompassing the counties of Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford will descend on the beautiful North Mayo town to take on the beautiful but challenging parkland course. Moy Valley Athletic Club, in consultation with Ballina Municipal District, are…

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Autumn Gold in Stunning Sligo

Autumn Gold in Stunning Sligo

The venue was Calry, Sligo – a course with a reputation for mud, hills and more mud. With the heavy rain of late spirits were muted in the cars on the nearly 2 hour drive from Craughwell – however when we got out and walked the mist-covered course, we had a pleasent surprise.  The long drags were still there, but the course was runnable with only about 200m of the 1km lap that were really muddy.  Rumour has it the…

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