It was another super Sunday for the Striders at provincial cross country level, in 
Tyrellspass, with the highlight being a superb gold medal by the U13 boys in the club event. Moya Corbett was our lone competitor in the GU11 event and despite being out of her age group, she finished in a very respectable position and also scored for her county team. The U11 boys of Ronan Shannon, Sean Lennon, Sam Myers and Luca O’Connor all did really well helping their club to a 12th place finish and county to a 5th place. The U13 girls didn’t have the required numbers to make up a club team, but Leona Berry, Ciara Murphy and Kelly Corbett did great, as the Wexford team again finished 5th. The eight strong U13 boys Striders squad made history, by winning club and county gold medals. Last years Leinster champion, Aidan Shannon, finished 2nd, with out of age Myles Hewlett running a scorcher and finishing 6th. Both boys picked up well deserved individual medals. With four to score, we needed some big performances to feature in the club event and with Darragh Flannelly and Eoin Shannon finishing in the top 30 of a massive field, they helped us to our first club gold medal, at provincial level, since the 1980’s. More great news followed with Owen Lennon, Finn Kelly, Oisin McEochaigh and Ben Myers all helping the Wexford squad to a gold medal, in the county event. Well done to our boys, making history and qualifying for the national event, next month.
With six girls in action in the U15 girls event, Erinn Shannon put in a stunning performance, leading home the Wexford team, despite being a year out of age. Clodagh Foran was a real hero, losing one of her spikes at the first bend, she still finished second Strider home, in front of Eve Byrne, Aisling Power, Ellie Quinn and Aoife NiEochaigh. The girls finished 8th in the club event and 7th in the county event. Four great performances from Cian Flanagan, Aaron Browne, Adam O’Connor and Ryan Kielthy won the Striders a bronze medal in the club event and almost another medal, with Wexford coming 4th. More medals in the next event with the Striders U17 girls team scooping a club bronze also. Grace Costello lead home the team that was completed by Rebecca Bawden, Grainne Flannelly and Alanah Byrne. Our final juvenile athlete in action, Aedan Rogers, rounded off a splendid day with a top 25 individual performance.
An historic day for our club, where we had an amazing 31 athletes in action, with 14 of those athletes being presented with a total of 21 Leinster medals. Next stop, the nationals. Go Striders!
The senior men were also in action and acquitted themselves very well at provincial intermediate standard. John McGrath was first Strider home, ahead of Alan O’Connor, with both inside the top 30. The team was completed by the Flannelly brothers, Ted and Matt, to round off a great day. Well done to all.
