Mary Mulhare led her teamates home winning individual gold in the U-18 3000m and also the gold team medal. Mary was up with the leading athletes from the start and pulled away from the leading group with one lap to go. This was a fantastic race for Mary and the future looks bright for the coming cross country season.

Another athlete who put in a great performance, coming 12th was Breda McDonald. Breda ran a steady pace throughout the race and also got an individual medal. Alva Joyce and Mary Campbell came 14th and 15th respectively - both had a great race to complete the team and bring home the Gold team medal to Laois.

In the girls U-14 1200m Niamh Quinn was up with the leaders from the start. Niamh had a fantastic race to finish seventh individual with a field of great talent including international athletes. Aoife Campion competed in this race also finishing a creditable 12th and qualifying on the Leinster team running a year out of age. Roisin Dunne had a fine race also but unfortunately the girls hadn't got a fourth team member due to injury.

In the boys U-16 3000m Christopher Finn was up with the leading group from the start. Christopher ran a great race to finish12th followed by Alan Buckley in 16th. Alan was followed by teamates David Mulhare who had a great race.

Ruari C Fennell had a fine race also. Christopher, Alan, Ruari and David won bronze medal with the county team along with St Abban's athletes Kevin Brennan and Christopher Buggy.

Michael Dalton competed in the boys U-18 5000m. Michael had a fine race and together with teamate Brian Hogan won third county team medal with St Abban's athletes Stephen Attride, Stephen Lawlor, Cormac Kelly and Daniel Aylsbury.

Micheal Mulhare competed in the Novice Mens 6000m, Michael lead the field from the gun, and there was no one going to outpace this young talented athlete as Michael won gold for North Laois. The cross country season is looking good for Michael who ran a time of 19.08. Teamates David Finn, Shane Delaney and Abasa Srevnkuma ran very well also but were not in the team medals.

The masters mens race was the final race of the afternoon, Tony O'Reilly put in a fine performance to finish fifth individual and won Bronze in the M1 category. Martin McDonald had a great race also to win bronze in the M4 Category. Tony and Martin together with teamates Noel Marum, Ciaran Keenan and Stephen Bland who also had fine races came 4th in the club section.

Other athletes who ran very well but were not in the medals were: girls U-12 1000m - Louise and Claire Stack; boys U-12 - newcomer Donal Farrell had a good run; boys U-16 - Conor Lewis had a great race; girls U-14 - Roisin Dunne had a fine race.

The above medal winners will compete for their club, county and province in the All Irealnd Championships on Sunday November 22 in Kilbeggan racecource.

Best of luck to all club athletes competing this Sunday, November 8, in Day 2 of the Leinster cross country championships in Charleville Castle in Tullamore.

Congratulations also to PJ Carroll who completed the course in the Dublin City Marathon on Monday last.