G.C.H. had six athletes competing today in the Woodies DIY Intercounties Cross-Country Championships of Ireland. This is one of the main and most competitive events of the Irish winter athletics calendar. This year, it also serves as the trials for the European Cross-Country Championships to be held in Spain on December 9th.
Galway county fielded both Men's and Women's teams this year. In the Mens 10,000m race, Gary Thornton, GCH, was first home for the Galway team in 11th overall, followed closely by Paul McNamara, Athenry AC, in 18th.

Paul

Gary Murray, Donegal, Gareth Turnbull, Antrim and Mark Christie, Westmeath were the top 3 finishers. Martin Corcoran, Craughwell, was the 3rd Galway athlete home, a few seconds ahead of GCH's Rudhairi Geraghty. Fergal Geraghty was next in, helping the Galway men's team to win the B category in the team results.

In the women's 8000m event, GCH's Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh was the first Galway woman in 27th overall, just one place ahead of Ann Carter, Athenry. Deirdre Brophy, GCH, was next in followed by Anne Burke, Ballinasloe and Bernie Kelly, GCH. The overall winner was Fionnuala Britton, Wicklow with Deirdre Byrne, also Wicklow, in 2nd and Linda Byrne, Dublin, 3rd. Just 6 counties fielded teams in the women's event but the Galway women's team came 2nd in the B category.