2 sets of Munster medals staying in Clare after the Munster Even Age Cross Country Relays 🏃🏃‍♀️ were run off in Clarecastle GAA this weekend. This is a competition for teams of 4 that each run 500m over a cross country course.

Illness 😷🤧🥴and the freezing weather ❄️played havoc with preparations for this event but two of the St. Cronan's teams managed to ensure medals were not leaving the county. Our U10 Boys team finished 3rd 🥉 in a very strong field containing many of the top runners in Munster with Bandon taking the title and Limerick in 2nd. Our reigning U12 boys team took a great silver 🥈medal behind Limerick AC. This team ran a particularly strong last leg despite being under extreme pressure from Blarney Iniscarragh and Belgooly of Cork. The U12 boys will now go on to represent the club in the All Ireland's in February at Gowran Demesne and aim for revenge over their near rivals. Our other U10 and U12 teams contained many runners who were out of age for this competition but put in a great effort and took back valuable experience for next year.

Our U10 girls and U14 boys teams seemed to suffer in the extreme wintry conditions and didn't reach their potential on this occasion, despite giving their all. Some of these athletes have had lots of races over the last few weeks and have been very successful this year. A break over Christmas and then start to train hard in the New Year and they will have an opportunity for revenge on the fast (but maybe not warmer🥶) indoor track in Nenagh.

Special praise on this occasion for our U12 girls team. This is a team that is now finally starting to show the potential that has been obvious to us coaches for a number of years. Even though they weren't rewarded with a medal on this occasion, they couldn't have put in more effort or been closer to their rivals and a place on the podium in a race that had multiple Munster and National champions.

Well done all and enjoy the Christmas party 🎉🎅on Sunday!