A big representation of Galway athletes are set to head to Castle Irvine in Enniskillen this weekend to compete in the blue riband event of the domestic athletics calendar, the National Senior, Junior and Even Age Juvenile Cross Country Championships.

Three Galway teams are entered at senior level, all of very strong composition who will challenge for medals. Craughwell AC will field a starting team from a deep panel including William Fitzgerald, Paddy Noonan, Sean Cotter, Jamie Fallon, Kyle Moorhead, Oisin Davis, and Anthony Boyle among others.

The Castlegar AC selection will likely feature Abaas Edris, Aimad Belayd, Hafiz Adam, Eoin Molloy, and Sean Mulryan; while Galway City Harriers have a very strong team including the like of Tom McStay, Aaron Brennan, Keith Fallon, Conor Byrne, Chris Jonker, John Hayes, Michael Conway, Kieran McGlynn.

University of Galway athletes competing are likely to feature among the medals, with defending champion Fiona Everard chasing a second title, and Finlay Daly a contender in the Men’s race.

Rocher Adeyeye of Tuam AC and Eoin Tierney of Galway City Harriers  go in the Junior men’s race; while Galway women competing include Helena O’Keeffe of Craughwell; Triona Moran of Castlegar; and the Galway City Harriers duo Eimear O’Leary and Deirdre McCrae at Senior level; as well as Alix Joyce of Tuam AC at Junior level.

In the Juvenile section, Galway will be represented at U-12 level by teams from Craughwell in the Girls’ race and Castlegar AC in the Boys.

Clare River Harriers Boys’ team and Castlegar and Tuam AC Girls’ teams take centre stage in the U-14 section; while at U-16 level, the girls’ team of Galway City Harriers and a very strong South Galway Boys team will compete against the best in the country

Meanwhile, Catherine Thornton of Galway City Harriers makes her international debut on the Irish Masters Cross Country team in Belfast this Saturday at the international match between Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Thornton goes in the women’s 6km event; and also featuring is her clubmate Martin McEvilly in the M75 category, yet another appearance for the Killannin man.

Upcoming races such as South Galway AC’s Ballinderreen 10k on Sunday week, November 24, and Athenry AC’s Fields 10k on St Stephen’s Day, are open on Eventmaster for entry.

Pictured: Abaas Edris of Castlegar AC.