Laois athletics club enjoys medal-winning weekend in Gowran

The Laois club enjoyed a superb weekend on the country’s cross-country circuit before taking on the Dublin Marathon and hosting a Halloween disco

St Abban’s AC athletes enjoyed an outstanding weekend, claiming three Leinster cross-country titles, two individual bronze medals and several team medals in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, on Saturday, October 24.

Despite rain, wind and muddy conditions, the club celebrated individual gold medals for Conor Keegan in the under-12 boys, Sinéad Fitzpatrick in the under-16 girls and Emily O’Shea in the novice women’s race.

Ava Brophy claimed bronze in the under-12 girls, while Bailee Bolton secured third place in the under-14 girls. Fitzpatrick also helped the St Abban’s under-16 girls team to silver, while Keegan contributed to bronze for the under-12 boys. The under-18 men’s team also claimed club bronze, with Will Duffy finishing sixth individually. Duffy, Kalem Buggy and Eoin Mulkerrins helped Laois secure county team gold, while Chelsey Dooley and Katie Harnett contributed to county silver in the under-18 women’s competition.

O’Shea was particularly impressive in the novice women’s race, leading from start to finish and extending her advantage to 50 seconds over the final kilometre. Siobhan Burke finished 20th. Thanks were extended to Gowran AC for hosting the championships, as well as the athletes, parents, coaches and officials who supported the club.

Runners from the club also tackled the Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday, October 25.

Colin Coyne led the club’s recorded finishers in 2:40:03, while Stephen Lawler broke the three-hour barrier with 2:55:17. William Kelly finished in 3:07:22, Seán Sourke in 3:38:37 and John Sourke just three seconds later in 3:38:40. Caitriona McDonald clocked 3:53:03, Stephen O’Neill finished in 3:56:26 and Eugene Mohan dipped under four hours in 3:59:53. James O’Regan and Carmel Hughes also completed the demanding distance.

Meanwhile, the club’s Monavea clubhouse hosted a Halloween disco, with skeletons, witches, pumpkins, vampires and minions among the colourful costumes. Thanks were extended to everyone who organised the event and helped provide an enjoyable evening for the club’s younger members.