Sunny and windy Adamstown was the venue for the Juvenile Striders latest 
excellent squad effort, as the under age athletes competed from U9’s all the way up to the U17 age group. The Striders (and the Gusserane National School) were really well represented in the BU9 race, with a team of eight. In a big field of competitors, over 500m, Sean O’Brien entered the home straight with a narrow lead and he dug deep to register a great win, on his debut for the Striders. Jack Murphy and Jake Sutton, who was a year out of age, recorded top ten finishes. Powerful runs from Max Murphy, Liam Murphy, Ruari Lyng, Aidan Murphy and Gearoid Byrne, all competing for the first time over cross country, bodes well for the future.
More success followed for the GU11 team, with Moya Corbett leading home the Striders team, that included Milly Sutton and Sadhbh Rossiter, to an impressive team silver medal. Ronan Shannon was the star of the Striders BU11 team, despite being a year out of age, winning an individual bronze. More great news at this age level, with Sean Lennon and Sam Myers finishing top ten and Luca O’Connor, Danny Costello, Donnacha McCarthy and Conor Kelly all running really well to help the team to a silver medal.
The GU13 team were just outside the medals, but over the tough 2,500m course, Ciara Murphy, Aisling Ryan, Isabel Bawden and Kelly Corbett all performed really well. In contrast the BU13 squad came away with a hatful of medals from their race. Aidan Shannon put in a top class performance to win, ahead of team mate and U12 county champion Myles Hewlett, who was excellent against older opposition. Darragh Flannelly was next Strider home, to secure a team gold. With ten athletes in the field, all running right up to the best of their abilities, it was no surprise that we won team silver here also. Well done to Eoin Shannon, Owen Lennon, Finn Kelly, Ben Myers, Cosmo Hewlett, Oisin McEochaidh and Sean Barry.
More medals followed in the GU15 race, with Erinn Shannon running a remarkable race, out of her age group and coming from well off the pace to finish strong and win an individual bronze medal. Erinn was closely followed by the rest of the Strider squad, Ellie Quinn, Aisling Power, Eve Byrne, Aoife Ni Eochaidh and Catriona Ryan. The girls secured an amazing gold and silver team medals. Not to be outdone the BU15 squad of Aaron Browne, Adam O’Connor, Cian Flanagan, Ryan Kielthy and Conor Murphy took team gold, with Aaron taking individual silver, behind the impressive Joe Byrne of SBR.
Wrapping the day up, at the under 17 age group were Katie Murphy and Rebecca Bawden, winning individual silver and bronze respectively. For the boys, it was a Striders one-two, with new recruit James Boland finishing just ahead of Aedan Rogers. What a way to finish the 2016 County Championships, which in total brought the Striders 10 golds, 17 silvers, 5 bronzes and countless fantastic performances. Congratulations to all juvenile Striders who competed over the two days, all at the club are very proud of your achievements.
