South Munster Country Competition

To kick off the 2022 season this year our KCS athletes travelled to Riverstick to compete in the South Munster Cross Country championship. With nineteen students travelling to the competition our school was represented fantastically and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day with the sun shining and the ground dry, perfect running conditions.

Lining out for the first race of the day was our Minor Girls Charlotte Kiely, Shonagh Synnott, Kate O’Callaghan, Ellie Murphy, Kokie Plant, Millie O’Dowd, Aoife Moloney, Ava McCarthy, Alannah Fitzpatrick, Eadoin Heffernan and Mia Murphy who all ran 1500 metres. Each girl ran an excellent race on a difficult course, each making it to the finish line smiling. KCS is incredibly proud of their achievement! A special mention to Aoife Moloney and Mia Murphy who had never competed in a cross-country competition before and who both ran superbly!

The next race of the day was the Minor Boys with Liam O’Driscoll and Ethan Pryer, both of first year, representing KCS running 2000 metres. Both boys ran incredibly well with Liam taking fourth place in a time of 6.51. Liam now qualifies for the Munster Cross Country finals being held in Riverstick on the 18th of February. A big well done to Ethan as this was his first ever cross-country race and he finished in the top 50.

Daniel Jones was next to take to the starting line in the Junior Boys’ competition running 3000 metres. This was Daniel’s first time competing and again did himself and the school proud.

The day so far had already been thrilling and things were only going to get better with our Intermediate entry Claire Crowley’s race. Claire has a lot of experience running cross country and has been in flying form recently. With over sixty girls entered in this competition it looked to be an exciting race. Claire took the lead from the very start of the race, looking very comfortable after hitting her stride. After taking her first lap of 1500 metres Claire was still in the lead and she maintained this all the way to the finish line taking first place in a stellar time of 10.01. Claire now qualifies for the Munster Cross Country finals being held in Riverstick on the 18th of February.

The last race for KCS was the Intermediate boys team made up of Ryan McCarthy, Sam Kiely, Joey O’Callaghan, and Evan Kelly who all ran 4000 metres. As a team the boys placed 7th overall. As individuals the boys ran an excellent race in tough conditions as the ground became harder to run on after the previous races. Ryan McCarthy was the first of the KCS boys to cross the line finishing overall in 7th place allowing him to qualify for the Munster Cross Country finals being held in Riverstick on the 18th of February. Next to cross the line was Sam Kiely finishing 17th overall. A special mention to Sam who was carrying an injury before competing and still went out and gave this race his all. Joey O’Callaghan soon followed along with Evan Kelly. Well done to all the boys who ran a gruelling race.

Congratulations to all the athletes that competed and the very best of luck to Liam O’Driscoll, Ryan McCarthy and Claire Crowley who progress to the Munster Final on the 18th of February. Thanks to Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Fox for accompanying the students to the event.