CURRAGH, Sunday 11th December 2011 - Just barely two years after taking up athletics, Kyle Larkin is U17 Boys National Cross Country Champion after a brilliant victory today in the Curragh. Kyle has been competitive both in Munster and nationally for over a year, and deserved his victory today with brilliant race management and a finish of pure class. Kyle follows in the footsteps of Amy O'Donoghue who the U17 Girls for the past 2 years.

Finn Looney, who is in his first season competing, took a magnificent 6th place in the U11 Boys event. Finn has a real talent but also has a great temperament for racing and he can look forward to many great days in the future. The U17 Boys team competed also but were out of luck in the placings.

Over 110 contestants competed  in the U17 Boys  race and an Emerald Team that qualified for the first time in years, Kyle Larkin, Scott Brophy, Matt Mitchell and Adam Cunningham.  Kyle set out with the leading group of 30 and after the first 1000m a group of 15 lead the race, with Kyle staying the pace and keeping an eye on Shane Fitsimons, Mullingar, the favorite for the gold.

As the race progressed Shane took the lead, but Kyle sensed that Shane was tiring and decided to test him. Kyle pushed the pace as the race went up hill. When Shane didn't respond, Kyle's confidence grew. With 1000m to go Kyle decided to kick for the finish. His lead stretched and on the final 100m he sprinted for home. A clear winner with over 50m to spare from second place. A popular winner, he was congratulated by his race mates from all over the country.

Unfortunately on this occasion the boys team had no luck on the medal table, but all of the boys ran very well and without team mate Kieran Daly were short a man.