Aoife Cooke, Youghal AC and the Cork team win at the National Novice Cross Country Championships

The National Novice Cross County Championships were held this year in Dungarvan with West Waterford AC being the host club. It was a particularly good day for the clubs in East Cork with Aoife Cooke of Youghal AC winning a national title. Aoife also led Youghal AC to a national team Gold and the Cork team to Gold as well. A remarkable performance especially when you consider there were teams from all over the country.

Club Team
Points Place Club Positions Points
1 Youghal A.C. 1, 11, 27, 48 ...87 pts
(1st Aoife Cooke, 11th Ruth Mellerick, 27th Evelyn Cashman, 48th Julie Keneally)
2 Dundrum South Dublin A.C. ...5, 6, 24, 54... 89 pts
3 Galway City Harriers A.C. ... 9, 14, 39, 42... 104 pts

County Team Points
Place County Positions Points
1 Cork 1, 10, 11, 16... 38 pts
(1st Aoife Cooke - Youghal AC, 10th Niamh Moore - Cork Varsity AC, 11th Ruth Mellerick - Youghal AC, 16th Fiona Santry - East Cork AC)
2 Dublin 7, 21, 23, 25 ... 76 pts
3 Meath 15, 17, 19, 32... 83 pts

The only other team from Cork was East Cork AC who finished 9th.

In the mens novice race, the Cork team finished in 4th place.

The links to the results can be found HERE

In a interesting twist, it turns out that Aoife Cooke is coached by her aunt Mary Sweeney who is a well figure on the local race circuit. Athletics Ireland have the story HERE

In terms of numbers, it was interesting to compare this year to last year when the National Novice XC Championships were held in Santry, Dublin.

In 2014, there were 133 women taking part with 16 teams from clubs and 10 counties being represented. This year, it was down to 89 women with 11 club teams and 9 counties.

By contrast, the mens numbers were up. 211 men this year compared to 197 in 2014. 24 teams from clubs this year compared to 23 last year. The number of counties represented remained the same...12.

Photos.......
1) James Veale of West Waterford AC has loads of photos of the mens and womens race HERE
2) Kieran Carlin of Finn Valley AC has a gallery HERE

Mary Sweeney of St.Finbarr's AC...Aunt & Coach of the womens winner Aoife Cooke