Letterkenny AC at Ulster and ANI Cross Country Championships

Letterkenny Athletic Club enjoyed a fantastic day of competition at the Ulster and ANI Cross Country Championships on Sunday, held at the Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar, with strong performances and excellent team spirit on display across multiple races.

Conditions were ideal for cross-country running, with mostly firm ground underfoot and beautiful November weather!. Clear skies, sunshine, mild temperatures of 12 degrees and virtually no wind provided a perfect setting for the Cross Country race programme.

Novice Women's Race – 4km

The second-last race of the day saw five Letterkenny Athletic Club athletes take to the start line for the Novice Women's 4km race. The course consisted of three laps, two 1,500-metre laps and a 1,000-metre lap.

Leading the Letterkenny team home was Ella Gallagher, who produced a fantastic and determined run to finish 26th overall.

Close behind was Ciara O'Donnell, finishing 29th overall and second home for the club. The next two finishers were also Letterkenny AC athletes, with Alicia McNulty taking 30th place and Jodie-Anne McIntyre finishing 31st. Alicia and Jodie-Anne worked superbly together throughout the 4km distance, with just seconds separating them as they crossed the finish line.

Completing the Letterkenny contingent was the determined Mairead Cullen, who battled all the way to the finish to support her teammates and contribute to the club's overall team effort.

The combined performances saw the Letterkenny Athletic Club Novice Women's team secure a fifth-place team finish with 116 points.

The top three teams were 1. Enniskillen; 2. Finn Valley; 3. City of Derry Spartans

Dale Corbett was next home in 35th place, just ten seconds behind Dean and Liam, fourth for the Letterkenny AC team.

Letterkenny Athletic Club enjoyed a fantastic day of competition at the Ulster and ANI Cross Country Championships on Sunday, held at the Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar, with strong performances and excellent team spirit on display across multiple races.

A fantastic collective effort from the five women, with great teamwork and commitment throughout.

Novice Men's Race – 6km

The final race of the day saw eight Letterkenny Athletic Club men take to the course for the Novice Men's 6km event, bringing the club's championship programme to a close.

Leading the Letterkenny team home was Cian Friel, who ran strongly and showed great strategy to pick up places as he progressed through the 6km distance to finish 23rd overall.

Next across the line for the club was Dean Murray in 30th place, closely followed by Liam Tinney in 31st. Both athletes recorded identical finishing times of 22:56, an impressive performance from the pair, particularly as both had recently completed the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday 25th October.

Conditions were ideal for cross-country running, with mostly firm ground underfoot and beautiful November weather!. Clear skies, sunshine, mild temperatures of 12 degrees and virtually no wind provided a perfect setting for the Cross Country race programme.

Under 19 Men's Race – 5km

In the third-last race of the day, Michael Donaghey proudly represented Letterkenny Athletic Club in the Under 19 men's 5km race.

Michael battled hard throughout the race, showing great determination to secure an excellent eighth-place finish overall. A strong performance from this young man and another good result for the club.

Martin Mooney followed in 43rd place, producing a determined performance and picking off numerous positions over the 6km distance. Rory Gallagher was hot on his heels, finishing 44th overall and sixth for the club.

Paddy McDaid came home in 49th place, followed by Matej Meliska in 56th, completing the eight-man Letterkenny team.

Both Rory and Paddy looked very much at home running through the fields of the Finn Valley Centre, with their many years of experience trampling the blades of grass on the local football pitches clearly standing to them!

The combined efforts of all eight athletes earned Letterkenny Athletic Club an excellent fourth-place team finish overall, with 117 points.

The top three teams were 1. Finn Valley; 2. Enniskillen; 3. City of Derry Spartans

Overall, it was a very positive and successful day for Letterkenny Athletic Club at the Ulster and ANI Cross Country Championships.

With great club representation across multiple races, great club spirit and strong individual performances, Letterkenny Athletic Club continues to go from strength to strength!

Congratulations to every athlete who pulled on the “Black & Amber” Club vest and represented the club with such commitment and pride.

Upcoming Races

The club's Annual Turkey Trot 5k takes place on Sunday, 6th December. This unique event challenges participants to predict their finish time—with no watches permitted! The 10 participants who finish closest to their predicted times will win turkey vouchers. For more details, visit the club’s social media platforms.

Club training(seniors) - Aura Leisure Centre

Mondays: 18:00 - Fit4Life

Tuesdays: 18:30

Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00 am

New members are welcome to join us at any time.