There was double success for GCH athletes Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Martin McEvilly in Wexford yesterday with both claiming national titles at the National Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships. Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh ran her usual clever race in the Intermediate All Ireland Championship and came through late in the race to beat Maria Halley of Waterford into second place by ten seconds. Susan Byrne from Raheny Shamrocks and Dublin was in third a further seven seconds back. This is a significan step up in form for the Galway City Harrier following her victory in our own Fields of Athenry Road Race at Christmas and a silver medal in the National Novice Cross Country in Waterford earlier this season.

The evergreen Martin McEvilly, also of GCH, was once again in title winning form as he came home a full twenty five seconds of his nearest challenger in taking the national V5 title at the same venue. Martin's cross country form has been nothing short of astounding in recent weeks. Long may it continue.

We send our warmest congratulations to both runners.

Several other Galway masters men competed on the afternoon with athletes from Loughrea, GCH and Tuam making up the Galway contingent. The other results were;

27th Martin Corcoran (V3)

41st Mark Davis (V1)

63rd Martin McEvilly (V5)

76th Frank Ward (V4)

86th T.J. Whyte (V3)

In the Women's Master's race Galway fielded a full team consisting of the following;

25th Anne Burke

58th Liz Keane

60th Bernie Kelly

62nd Marie Reilly

The Galway Women's Masters team placed 8th nationally.

A great days work by all involved.

Full results and more photos are at;

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=3381#more-3381