Veale ups pace as juniors hit the ground running in Bristol

WORLD youth racewalking champion Kate Veale (West Waterford), finished third in the junior women’s race at the prestigious McCain UK Cross Challenge in Bristol over the weekend.

It is not unusual for the Dungarvan schoolgirl to switch to cross-country in the off-season — she represented Ireland at schools international level — but what was amazing was her performance in her first big race of the season.

The Irish junior team also boasted strong performances from Mary Mulhare (North Laois), who finished sixth, and Emma Mitchell (Banbridge), who was 10th. Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers) finished second in the junior men’s race with Stephen Kerr (Armagh) fourth, Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock AC) fifth and Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) ninth to round off a great day for Irish athletics.