Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club Cross Country Championships, Clarecastle, Co. Clare

My dad's old saying " the same only different" sprang to mind today in Clarecastle as we were still doing cross country only this time it was relays. As I'm quoting all the greats today I'll go with Del boy's it's like de je vue all over again as our recently crowned Munster champs added the U14 relay title to their growing resume . Cian running the opening leg showed why he is a growing force in Irish endurance running when he didn't panic with the fast early start and went on to stamp his authority on the proceedings to hand over to Micheál Moylan with a clear lead. Micheál in his first cross country relay with this team did a fine job of passing over to Ben Walshe the youngest member of the squad with a still substantial lead. Ben running the third leg and his brother Tom running the last leg are classy athletes with a lot of experience at this level and they never showed any signs of relenting the lead . Three of this team won the all Ireland U12 relay two years ago and with another fine athlete in Micheál Moylan bolstering the squad this year they will be hoping to repeat that success after Christmas. 
We also had two other squad's out both running first time at this level . Our U12 boys Diarmuid Moloney, Liam O'Callaghan, Mikey Ryan and Ruairí Walshe running in a very competitive race finished 8th. With two running out of age it was a big ask but fearless as ever they tore into the task and will surely benefit from the experience. 
Our other squad was the U16 boys and this group had three underage lads but still put up a great performance to finish fourth . Joe Cunningham , the only U16 athlete on the team ran a very strong opening leg handing over to Luke Purcell in third place . Luke battled hard to hand over to Jamie Moloney in fourth position. 
Jamie showed his talent to haul them back up to third . Sean Himli running his first relay with the squad did a fine job and was just run into fourth position towards the finish. 
We're off to a familiar proving ground next week for the All Ireland even age cross country in Abottstown in Dublin. The squad are in fine form so roll on next week.