25/10/2026
Connacht U14 title for Matthew Burke while U10 boys team place 3rd in Connacht Championships.
Tuam’s Matthew Burke has the biggest win of his young carer when he won a nail biting Connacht U14 Cross Country title held in cold and windy conditions on Roscommon race course today.
On a day with a strong wind, Burke showed experience beyond his young years by sheltering in the leading pack for the first 2km before bursting clear on the last lap and winning a ding d**g battle with Westport’s Finn Duckett who was given the same time as Burke.
Behind Burke, young Darragh Steede had an outstanding performance, running a year out of age to place in the top 12, with Jack Heneghan and young Cumhall O’Callaghan packing well for the team.
Luck was not on their side however as only 5 point separated the teams from 2nd to 5th place, with Castlegar winning the title, ahead of East Mayo on 70 points, the same score as Athenry in third, Sligo one point behind in fourth place and Tuam only 4 points further back in 5th place just missing out on qualifying a team for the All Irelands.
The U10 boys team of Billy Heneghan, Maximus Mortimer, Marco Byrne, Ben Savage, Owen Reilly, Finn Roache and Harvey O'Halloran had outstanding runs to place in the bronze medal position behind Athenry and Castlegar and only 2 points ahead of Claremorris.
Ciara Murphy led the U10 Girls home in 14th place and was strongly supported by Amy Steede, Klara Petrasek, Ada Traynor, Lauren Loughrey, Emily Silke and Katie Mullarkey to finish in 8th place in the team event.
All Ireland medalist Caoimhe Murphy was the star turn in the U12 girls race placing in the top 6, in very impressive form and qualifying for the All Irelands.
Anabelle Heneghan was next home for Tuam and can be very proud of her performance in tough conditions.
Keelan Tierney was the sole representative from Tuam in the U12 boys race and ran with great distinction and can be very proud of his performance.
Maisie McWalter was an impressive athlete in the U14 girls finishing in the top 25.
In the U16 races, Roisin Steede Duffy and Teagan Rooney both had outstanding races in the girls event while Shiloh Ndefo also impressed in the Boys U16 race.
The next day out for the club is the Connacht Cross Country Uneven ages in Loughrea in two weeks time.
Congratulations to all the athletes and thanks to all the club coaches and parents who support the athletes so well.
