Laois ladies reign supreme at All-Ireland Intermediate Cross Country Championships

Avril Deegan and Kate McDonald took 1st and 2nd in the All-Ireland Intermediate 5000m Cross-Country Championships. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

placeholder image — Avril Deegan and Kate McDonald took 1st and 2nd in the All-Ireland Intermediate 5000m Cross-Country Championships. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

It was a great day for the Laois athletes on Sunday in Gowran Park as Avril Deegan claimed gold in the 5000m All-Ireland Intermediate Cross-Country Championships while Kate McDonald finished second to secure a Laois 1-2.

Deegan, running in the Dublin City Harriers' colours, hails from Cullohill and is a well-established athlete in her field. This was a long-awaited comeback for the Cullohill woman as she had been struggling with a persistent injury, which makes her triumph even sweeter. The Laois woman has represented Ireland on many occasions and at the age of 24, she has a bright future ahead of her.

McDonald, running out of Ballyroan-Abbeyleix & District A.C., also known for her stint on Ireland's Fittest Family in 2018, where her family finished second. Her second place finish on Sunday made sure it was good day for all involved in Laois athletics.