Kilkenny City Harriers take two national team titles in Gowran

It was celebration time at the double as the Kilkenny City Harriers claimed two team titles at the 123.ie National Senior, Junior and Juvenile Even Age Cross-Country Championships.

The city club won the senior men's and under-20 women's team titles on an exciting day's racing in Gowran.

A strong finish from Peter Lynch helped the Harriers pip North Belfast Harriers for the top team prize in the 9km senior race. Lynch was eighth across the line, enough to see off the Ulster side by virtue of his placing inside the top 10.

Lynch was followed home by Eoin Everard, who delivered a storming finish in the home straight to come in 15th, with Cathal O'Reilly and Brian Maher in 24th and 25th respectively.

The Kilkenny City Harriers senior men's team celebrate in Gowran

Kilkenny were also third in the county rankings, the aforementioned quartet joined by clubmates Ger Forde and Jamie Gahan in the scoring six.

The big win came on the back of the club's success in the women's junior race. The team was led home by Maebhdh Richardson in fourth place, with Hannah Kehoe finishing in sixth. With Pia Langton and Isabella Burke also scoring - they finished 25th and 41st respectively - the Harriers comfortably beat Moy Valley for the top team prize.

The national senior championships were held at a Kilkenny venue for the second time in Athletics Ireland history. Kilmacow club St Senan's were the first to host them, back in 1984.

See this week's Kilkenny People for a full report from Gowran.