With four individual provincial titles, three silver and one bronze individual medal on top of four team gold gold, Westport AC athletes were the ones to watch at the Connacht Even Aged Cross Country Championships on Sunday 2nd November. Loughrea AC, the hosts, were well organised on a difficult day with cold, breezy showery weather making things tough for almost 500 competitors – Juveniles, Juniors, Novices, Seniors and Masters.

Westport ACs U12 girls got the day off to a flying start in their 2000m race with Roisin O’Brien and Laura Moran(both running out of age) both winning gold county medals.  The U12 team was also made up of Katie O’Grady, Rachel Twohig, Nora Holmes and Kate Grady, who all ran their hearts out. Next up was the U12 boys 2000m race where Malcolm McEvilly came storming home in first place. He was followed by Shane O’Malley who won the bronze. Next home for the team was Conal Dawson, Harrison Quinn, Con McNamara, Ted Horan, Richard O’Donnell and Finbar McLaughlin, all of whose excellent performances led to this fine team winning gold for Westport and also county gold for Mayo.

In the U14 girls 3000m Saoirse O’Brien once again put in an amazing performance taking the gold while running out of age.  Anna O’Riain also had a fantastic race coming home in 7th place.  Their teammates, who all ran extremely well were Kate Moran  Briana Bruton (both running out of age) and Sarah Staunton – a brilliant team, once again winning gold for their club and county. Westport AC gained another individual silver medal with Cillian Heaney(running out of age) coming second in the U14 Boys 3000m.  Cillian was followed closely by Thomas Devaney, who ran a great and came home in fourth place.  Rossa McAllister, again running out of age was next home for the team(6th), while their teammates Sean Doherty(9th), Oisin Ryall(10th running out of age) and Ethan Lloyd chased home at great speed leading this fine team to win the team gold medal and aiding Mayo to win the county gold.  Unfortunately Luke Dawson did not finish the race as he was sick on the day.

Next up was the U16 girls 4000m race where Aoife O’Brien breezed home winning gold both as an individual and for the Mayo county team.  The U16 boys 4000m race followed with some excellent performances from Aaron Doherty(running out of age) taking the individual gold, followed by Cian McAllister in 7th place (again out of age), together with their teammates Eoghan McLoughlin(9th)and Alex O’Riain(11th) winning the fourth gold medal of the day for the club and all contributing to the county also winning gold.

Next was Sorcha McAllister, running out of age, in the U18 girls 4000m running a superb race taking home the silver medal. Con Doherty, who has just moved out of the juvenile section, competed in the Junior Boys 6000m taking home the silver medal. The final competitor of the day was John Fahey in the senior mens race where John came 12th in the masters category.  Well done to all the athletes – a great day for Westport. The All-Ireland Even championships will be held in Dundalk IT on Sunday November 23rd. Click HERE for Results Click HERE to view photos