Golden Day For The BARRS At The Cork Novice XC 2019

Cork Athletics Novice Cross-Country Championships 2019, Knockardbane, Licarroll

This year’s Cork County Novice, U23, Junior & Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships took place on Sunday 06th of October last. Hosted by Liscarroll AC & Churchtown Road Runners AC, this was the opening event of the 2019 Cross Country season. On a near perfect day for racing, hoards of feisty adults, teenagers and juveniles descended on the lands of the O’Brien family, at Knockardbane, Licarroll. Watched over by somewhat puzzled and bemused residents of the local Donkey Sanctuary, athletes young and old competed vigorously in their respective age categories. The course was compact, relatively flat and the going firm. And with several mid-course U-turns, athletes often found themselves running towards each.

Orla Byrne - Cork Athletics Novice Cross-Country Champion 2019

In the Novice Ladies race, Orla Byrne from the BARRS notched up a commanding victory. Running Cross Country for the first time, Orla lead from the start and maintained her lead all the way to the finish. The Novice Ladies team with Orla Byrne, Marie Kelly, Rebecca McEvoy, Fiona Verling and Sinead Noonan finished in fourth spot with a 1, 22, 24, 26 team score. In the Novice Men’s race, the BARRS Men took on a very competitive field and finished in third spot with a 13, 20, 23, 36 team score.

The BARRS' bronze medal Men's team at the Cork Novice XC Champs 2019