Newbridge AC's Guther and Keaney being their international careers

Alexander Guther and Ronan Keaney are at the start of their international careers. The Newbridge AC athletes competed at the SIAB International in Falkirk, Scotland last weekend. For Keaney this is his second Irish vest, having already represented Ireland at the SIAB Junior Cross-Country last year. Guther on the other hand was receiving his first international vest, always a big moment in any athlete’s life. Both athletes were selected on the back of their excellent runs at the recent Schools All-Ireland in Galway.

Team Ireland had a clean sweep of silverware in a literal sense. All six Irish teams finished runners-up to England in the team competitions. However in the Junior Boys Darragh Whelan (Limerick) had a magnificent win, passing the two English athletes over the final 200m to win by a comfortable margin. Guther who competed in the Junior mixed relay also benefited from a silver medal as the Junior boys finished runners-up to Team England. Guther ran an excellent leg of this relay, maintaining second place ahead of Scotland and Wales. The Patrician Secondary School athlete has had an excellent cross-country season with his inclusion on the Irish team being the ultimate reward for his six month long cross-country adventures.

The Intermediate girls race created a lot of excitement for the Irish team. With Darragh Whelan already securing individual gold, Freya Renton followed this up with another gold in the next race. Renton along with her twin sister Holly (who finished 6th) are in their first year of the intermediate category and to produce a win at this age had the athletics fraternity present in Scotland gasping with excitement.

On the back of this, the Intermediate boys were inspired. Ronan Keaney along with his twin sister Rachel were selected as part of the Junior teams for the 2024 SIAB International. Keaney missed the pre-Christmas season as he was nursing an injury that kept him away from all competition. Back in action again after Christmas, he quickly gained fitness with each race and was delighted to make the Irish team for a second year running. This is particularly good as he is in his first year of Intermediate and making the team at this age is significant. Keaney was part of yet another silver medal winning team and will have gained much experience which he will hopefully benefit from for inclusion in the team of 2026.

This marks the final Cross-Country race of the season.