Local athletes in action

Long distance runners from the four provinces of Ireland as well as Europe made their way to Santry Demesne on Sunday for the European Cross-Country championships. The parkland course located at the rear of the famed Morton Stadium held up very well for six great races to decide European individual and team cross-country honours. It was a proud day for two local athletes with Andrew Ledwith (Fr Murphy AC) and Sarah Treacy (Moynalvey / Kilcloon AC) both earning international selection on the strength of their recent national championship titles. The Irish athletes should be very pleased with their efforts. The Irish u-23 men's and women's teams were well placed in their respective events especially as they have a number of runners eligible in the age group for the next two years. The influence of people like Enda Fitzpatrick and particularly Ann Keenan-Buckley in mentoring these emerging talents is paying dividends. The importance of building team spirit through group training was evident. The layout of the course afforded the 6,000-plus spectators great views of top-class international athletes in full flight. Both Ledwith and Treacy distinguished themselves at cross-country and middle distance events throughout their teenage years. Now their application and talent is serving them well in the senior ranks. Treacy followed up on her national u-23 title at Kilbeggan with a strong steady run that secured 29th place in a very competitive European u-23 race. Treacy put in a great effort to cover the seven kilometre Santry course in a time of 22.27. The Meath athlete was a key member of the Irish team which took fifth in the team competition. Rose Anne Galligan was the first Irish woman home in 15th place and they combined with Breffni Twohig and Bryony Treston for a points total of 98. The women's u-23 race was won by Turk Sultan Haydar who made up for her disappointing fade-out in last year's event. She took the race by storm over the opening lap and was 100 metres ahead of the rest by the half-way stage. This lead was whittled down by Irina Sergeyeva. In the end she had to summon all her strength and resolve when battling back to get the better of the Russian in the final run in. Ledwith has recently been training at altitude in Arizona. He announced his arrival as a big time senior force with an emphatic win at the national championships three weeks ago on the hills and hollows of Kilbeggan racecourse. On Sunday he covered the senior men's 10-kilometre course in an excellent time of 32.55. This performance brought him to 41st place and he worked together with experienced international runner Alistair Cragg over the second half of the race to help the national squad to sixth place. The Irish senior team was led home in sensational style by Clonliffe Harriers Mark Kenneally who broke into the European top 10 by taking eighth position. Mullingar's Martin Fagan finished in 26th position to help secure the team's total of 115 points. The battle for individual honours was only decided after a nip and tuck battle when Spain's Almeyehu Bezebeh got the better of Briton Mo Farah in the closing stages. Next weekend Ledwith is hoping to take part in the Meath Senior Cross-Country which will be hosted by Bohermeen AC at Ardbraccan while he is also due to attend Ballivorr NS this week to see some local pupils complete a Meath AAI initiative. It is hoped that Sarah Treacy will also be among the athletes lining up for Meath county title next Sunday, 20th December. The first race will go under orders at 11.0.