Clare teenager set to represent Ireland U17 in cross country

Ennis Track athlete Peter Farrell is part of a 12-strong Irish team that will compete in Scotland tomorrow.

The Irish U17 cross country athletes are heading to Perth in Scotland to race in the UK Cross Country Challenge.

With no Celtic Cross Country this year, the Athletics Ireland Juvenile Committee felt it was vital for future development that a squad travelled to gain valuable international experience as the athletes progress into the junior ranks.

This squad was selected from the 2022 National U17 Cross Country Championships in December.

Farrell secured bronze in the Intermediate boy’s race at the Irish Life Health All Ireland Schools Championships last March.

Meanwhile, the Clare Senior and Juvenile B Cross Country Championships was recently held in Clarecastle.

Dean Casey secured first place in the Senior Men’s competition with Ennis Track romping to team gold as their athletes secured the top six places. Mark Hanrahan, Rory Chesser, Dylan Casey, Barry Conway and Cian O’Boyle all finished inside the top six.

Meanwhile, in the Senior Women’s race Sharon Rynne crossed the line first with the Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare AC clubwoman finishing ahead of Ann Marie Connellan and Laura Healy, both of Ennis Track.

The Ennis based club secured team gold in the Women’s section.

Ennis Track will be competing in the ECCC Cross Country Championships in Spain at the start of February.
The Clare club made history last year when they won a team gold at these Championship with twin brothers Dean and Dylan Casey finishing first and second respectively.