Following Mayo AC success in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country at Santry on Saturday November 12, there was some more good news the next day after the third leg of the 2022 Connacht Cross-Country League was held at Roscommon Racecourse.
The third leg was well organised by Roscommon Athletics County Board. Despite heavy rain the course was in good grassy condition, though the inclines were deceptively tough. A number of underage events preceded two adult races- women's 5k and men's 7k.
Final League results show that Mayo AC won four medals. An excellent performance by a number of runners who ran brilliantly in three very competitive legs.
They all put in a mighty effort at the three locations in Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon on testing courses and in challenging weather conditions.
In women’s o35 Paula Donnellan won silver (places in 3 legs = 13, 6, 11)
In women’s o50 Noreen McManamon won bronze (places in 3 legs = 21, 8, 16); Joan Walsh finished 6th
Pauline Moran won gold in women’s o65 – another medal to add to the two she won at the British and Irish Masters International on the previous day at Santry.
Pauline was the only o65 competitor in legs 1 and 2, and did not have to run at Roscommon after her efforts at Santry.
In women’s club teams Mayo AC won bronze (1st Sligo 95, 2nd North Sligo 148).
A number of Mayo AC women in the three legs contributed to the club’s total of 165 points: Angela O’Connor, Colette Tuohy, Breege Blehein, Joan Walsh, Noreen McManamon, Paula Donnellan, Pauline Moran.
Congratulations to the individual medal winners: Pauline, Paula, Noreen and to the Club Team who won bronze.
Bualla bus mór for Joan Walsh in particular, she showed the joy of running despite tough conditions and was a key member of the o50 team.
