Congratulations to the forty two juvenile athletes, who have put USAC in first 
position of the Wexford Winter League, after round 1. With so many great performances, on a cold Friday evening at the Enniscorthy track, it was obvious that the 2016 Striders squad are determined to retain the trophy that they’ve held for the past three years.
Liam Kenneally, Josh Malone and Gearoid Byrne got us off to a great start, over 300m. Liam, nephew of former Strider legend, Barry Moroney, ran exceptionally well to finish third, in his first ever race. Maeve Burke, also performing for the first time, ran a great race to earn points for the club. Our first win of the evening came via Sean O’Brien, who earlier in the Autumn won the county cross country championships. In a great race for the Striders, Sean got a good start and won well, ahead of fellow Striders Max Murphy, Conor Meehan, Conn Clarke and Michael Byrne. Ronan Shannon was our star performer at U10 level, finishing a strong second, ahead 
of Striders Jack Murphy, Cillian Browne and Donnacha McCarthy, who all finished in the top ten. Our next race win of the evening went to Sean Lennon, who swooped into the lead rounding the last bend and sprinted to victory. Luca O’Connor was excellent in the same race, to finish fourth. At U12 level, we scored really well, with Leona Berry, Aisling Ryan and Juno Clarke all performing really well for the girls. Meanwhile Myles Hewlett and Eoin Shannon led home a Striders one-two, with Cosmo Hewlett, Caolan Costello and Ciaran McCarthy all running well in this race.
Our older gang also turned up, in force, and recorded some great results. Kelly Corbett was our sole 
performer in her race and finished top ten. Aidan Shannon continued his winning ways, ahead of Darragh Flannelly, Owen Lennon, Oisin McEochaidh and Bobby Nolan, with the boys filling five of the first six positions. Erinn Shannon and Eve Byrne have had fantastic cross country seasons and they both continued their great form to finish second and third respectively. Our Leinster silver medallist Adam O’Connor, made a winning return to the track, following a strong cross country season. Our seven U15 athletes all performed well – Aoife NiEochaidh 
and Catriona Ryan for the girls and Aaron Browne, Cian Flanagan, Patrick Doyle, Ryan Kielthy and Conor Murphy filling the first five places home, in their race. Our U16 girls, Rebecca Bawden, Grace Costello and Alannah Byrne, finished the evening in some style, by finishing first, second and third.
See United Striders Facebook page for more great pictures, thanks to Patrick Browne.
