25/10/2026
Leinster Even Ages Cross Country Gowran, Co.Kilkenny.
We enjoyed a successful day at the Leinster Even Ages Cross Country Championships in Gowran yesterday, with athletes representing both club and county and producing a series of determined performances across the age groups.
With more than 70 athletes lining up in many of the juvenile races, competition was strong throughout the day. The course was relatively flat, with a few dragging hills and a series of twists and turns on the 1500m loop that made it difficult to maintain momentum. The tail end of Storm Boelo brought some windy conditions, while light rain softened the ground as the day went on.
The day was about much more than individual finishing positions, with team performances a major feature of cross country and Ratoath AC, all played their part representing our club or competing as part of the Meath county team.
First up for Ratoath was youngest athlete Isla Campbell in the U10 open race. She ran superbly to finish in the leading pack.
In the U12 girls 2,000m, Maia Kelly produced an excellent run to finish 10th in a field of 139, an impressive result as she competed up an age. Her performance contributed to the county team finishing fourth and qualifying for nationals. In the U12 boys 2,000m, Noah Campbell finished 39th in a field of 114, with his Meath team securing an excellent second place.
The U14 girls faced a 3,000m challenge, with Ratoath athletes working together to secure fifth place for the club and sixth for the county team. Ailbhe Reilly led the Ratoath contingent home in 25th, followed by Molly O'Doherty in 28th, Emily Cleary in 46th, Ciara Quilty, Hannah Hickey Doherty, Heidi Soden and Rachel Gallagher, It was a valuable team effort in a race featuring 113 competitors, with every runner contributing to the overall result.
One of the standout individual performances came in the U16 girls 4,000m, where Lydia Jordan finished an excellent fourth in a very strong field of 80. Lydia was involved in a battle among the leading six athletes for much of the race, showing great determination throughout. Orlagh Kelly also delivered a determined performance, finishing 59th. Together, they helped their county team secure third place.
The U16 boys also showed great commitment over 4,000m, with Senan Honer finishing 22nd while running up an age. Zach Ryan placed 41st and Finn Carrigan 57th in a field of 76, helping their county team to fifth place.
The U18 girls produced one of the strongest team performances of the day over 5,000m. Ellen Sheridan led the group home in eighth place, closely followed by Grace Connell in 11th. Kyla Marjara finished 20th, Olivia Ryan 31st, with Clodagh Reilly unfortunately having to pull up mid race. The girls worked exceptionally well together, staying competitive throughout and fighting for every position. Their collective performance earned Ratoath AC second place in the club team standings, while also contributing to silver for the U20 county team.
It was an excellent example of the strength of a team effort, with the younger athletes able to see first-hand how working together can make a real difference to the final result.
The U20 boys faced increasingly difficult underfoot conditions as the course became more churned up later in the day. Finn Donnelly produced a solid, controlled performance to finish ninth, while Dillon Masterson finished 27th after a strong sprint to the line.
The top 12 finishers in each juvenile race are awarded individual medals and qualify to represent Leinster at the National Cross Country Championships on November 22,
Top four teams also qualify for nationals so well done to all who scored on their teams.
There was plenty to celebrate across the age groups, from individual achievements to the county and club team results, every athlete who took to the start line contributed to the day and every effort was valued.
We would like to thank Gowran AC and Leinster Athletics for organising the championships and providing a great day of competition. Thanks to Hugh for officiating for the club.
Well done to all our athletes, coaches and supporters.
Ratoath AC Meath Athletics Athletics Leinster
