ATHLETICS | Niamh and Cian get the cross country season off to an exciting start for St Peter’s AC
St Peter’s AC at Star of the Sea AC meeting in Drogheda
The 2019 cross country season kicked off at the traditional Star of the Sea meeting last Sunday with a number of St Peter’s AC athletes producing some fine performances that bode well for the season ahead.
In the U15 age group, both Niamh Brady and Cian Gorham ran brilliantly. Niamh competed in a stacked field but showed her own class to hold on and win silver. After finishing off her track season so well, Niamh has many reasons to be optimistic for the season ahead. Not only was she the first Louth athlete home in the race, but also the first from Leinster.
Cian Gorham is starting to reap the rewards for his dedication to training and once again he ran a really brave race. After overcoming an athlete who was blocking his path with 200m to go, Cian eventually broke past him and chased after the leading athlete, eventually losing out in a photo finish!
In the U14 girls' race, Elle Smyth ran strongly and held on for an impressive top 10 finish. In the boys U13 race, both Harry O’Reilly and Ben McKeown showed great bravery in a large field. Both lads have been busy lately with multiple sports and gained valuable race time which they will benefit from later in the season.
Dearbhla Allen put a recent fractured wrist injury behind her and ran an excellent race to finish in the fourth position and take her place on the podium. Dearbhla is a really great example to her fellow athletes as she wouldn’t allow a cast on her arm to prevent her from taking part.
The club had two athletes in action in the girls' U11 race. For once, Hannah O’Reilly had to run without her twin sister Emily who recently sustained a broken arm, while Aoibhinn Hughes also ran really well on a testing course. It is hoped Emily will be back in action sooner rather than later.
In the U10 boys' race, Cian Smyth battled his way through the field to finish well and pass several athletes on the home straight. In the girls' U10 event, Niamh Allen and Tatiana Zenderowska both gave a great account of themselves while Caoimha Morgan, in her very first cross country race, made a fine debut in the U9 race.
