Celtic International Cross Country Cardiff, Wales

Post date: Jan 22, 2013 12:8:8 PM

CELTIC INTERNATIONAL – CARDIFF, WALES

Fearghal Curtin wins Gold team medal

Fearghal Curtin competed in the U17 Irish team at the Celtic International Cross Country race in Cardiff on Sunday 20th January. Thankfully the flight departed with both the U17 Girls and Boys teams from Dublin on Saturday morning with only a minor delay despite severe weather conditions in Wales. A snow covered ground greeted them on arrival much to the delight of the athletes. The race was held at Blackweir Fields, Cardiff right across the road from their hotel. The venue resembled a ski resort on Sunday as there had been very heavy snowfall. This made it heavy going for the lads as they had a gruelling 5,650m run a lot of which was through woodland with underfoot conditions difficult and very chilly. However all the athletes gave a great account of themselves and won the team event beating Scotland by two points; Wales and Ulster also had teams.

First in were Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track) 3rd, Pierre Murchan (Celtic DSD) 4th both given a time of 19.47 as they were so close; next in was Fearghal Curtin of Youghal AC 6th in a super time of 20.07 and Luke Horgan of Leevale 10th 20.46. This was a brilliant achievement for this team and for Fearghal who is in a younger age group than the lads. Well done also to the girls team which were also victorious and to Siofra O’ Flaherty who won the race; her team included Eimear Fitzpatrick , Isobel Odlum and Aoife Mulroy. Unfortunately Aoife Hamilton of West Waterford who also qualified could not compete on the day. Many thanks to team managers John McGrath and Evelyn O’ Reilly for looking after lads so well. More photos available at www.youghalac.com/photos