The Galway Senior Cross Country Championship took place in Dangan yesterday the 23rd of October. Despite injuries, late withdrawals and the fact that the race took place only a week before the Dublin City Marathon, the club fielded a strong team in the men's senior race. James Corbett, Peter Delmer, Gary Doherty, Joe Morrissey and Mick Rice all donned club colours and accepted the challenge of five laps around the tough but fair course beside the river in Galway. 'Coach' Johnny O'Connor provided encouragement from the sidelines.

Two teams had beeen entered by GCH and one each were entered from Athenry, Loughrea, Claregalway (Clare River Harriers) and Tuam, although, on the day, only GCH, Athenry and Clare River Harriers managed to provide enough runners to field a full team.

Unfortunately, as I don't have a detailed result to hand, I can't tell you the exact individual finishing order but suffice it to say that GCH were comfortable winners of the individual honours. For our own part, Athenry AC were lead home by Peter Delmer who ran a well paced and impressive race in sixth place closely followed home by Joe Morrissey who ran a superbly throughout to post a highly commendable ninth. A small way behind Mick Rice and Gary Doherty made up the scoring quartet and James Corbett chased the others home in fine style with his trademark strong finish.

This effort gave Athenry silver medals in the team event after GCH and just ahead of Clare River Harriers. As sixth place finisher Peter Delmer qualifies for the Galway Senior Inter Counties Team. Galway took silver medals in the national event last year. As a ninth place finisher Joe Morrissey will deserve strong consideration for a place on the team also.

All the days other races, in the various age groups, were well supported on a fine day for athletics in Galway with perhaps the one disappointment being that only four runners started the senior womens race, which nevertheless turned out to be a highly exciting affair.

Detailed results will follow as soon as they become available.