A very brief newsflash on the fantastic performances of Galway senior athletes in the International Masters cross country in Santry today. The race features teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with teams in each age category M35, M40, M45 etc..

Craughwell AC had the honour of two of its senior squad representing the country, with Gerry Ryan in the M45 category and Peter O'Sullivan in the M35 category, while Athenry AC's seasoned senior international Paul McNamara was making his debut as a masters international in the M35 category.

With all age groups running the same race, the extraordinarily gifted Gerry Ryan led the entire field for over two-thirds of the race and was only passed in the last 200m with Paul McNamara in a group of 4 who edged past. Paul took individual 4th place in a time of 27:04, with Gerry in 5th place in the same time on the provisional results. Peter O'Sullivan made the big step up to this level with a fantastic 5th place finish on the Irish M35 team.

When the scores were totalled Ireland won the team title in both the M35 and M45 races, so three international gold medals will be winging there way back to Galway tonight!! Well done Gerry, Peter and Paul!!

Summary results are at: – http://www.irishmastersathletics.com/documents/Mens%20Results_2010-1.xls.

And (I hear you ask) what about the fantastic achievements of our juvenile teams and our novice womens team today at the Connacht cross country championsips … give me a chance, I have alot more to type so check back later!