Laois athletes shine on National and European stages

Athletes from Ballyroan Abbeyleix & District Athletics Club had a weekend to remember as they competed in Kerry, Dublin and Wales.

Kate McDonald continued her excellent run of form on Sunday, this time taking silver in the women's 3000m at the AAI Games in Morton Stadium with a time of 10:01.01. After an impressive last 800m she finished less than a second off the winner.

Cian McDonald also took 4th in the Carrauntoohil Classic Mountain race which took in 15km and 1100m of climbing. Cian was 2nd to the summit but could not hold onto a Podium spot in the last 4km on the descent.

Portlaoise soccer prospect puts Laois on the map as he signs for League of Ireland side

On Saturday, club athlete Matthew McConnell donned the Irish singlet in Wales to compete in the International Snowdon Mountain Race which incorporated the British mountain running champs. This race usually takes in just under 1000m of climbing in 15km, however a shorter course was covered due to bad weather conditions leaving no other choice on the morning. Matthew finished 16th overall and helped his teammates to a third place team finish!

The Whelan Brothers Conall and Eoghan (from Durrow) finished 1st and 3rd respectively in the Reeks Skyline Mountain Race in Kerry. This race was also shortened due to weather conditions however still took in 23km with 2400m of climbing, summitting Carrauntoohil (Ireland's highest mountain) twice in the process.