Kearns leads Ireland to World Masters gold

RATHFARNHAM WSAF’s Ronan Kearns led the way for his national team at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu South Korea, winning an individual bronze medal in the 0ver 35 Men’s 8km Cross Country event.

He saw off some very strong competition, finishing behind only Juan Man Garcia Mendoza of Spain and winner Vladimir Srb of the Czech Republic.

This performance, together with that of his Rathfarnham clubmate Paul Fleming who finished sixth and Castlegar Athletic Club’s Sean McDermott in ninth, was good enough to see Ireland crowned World Masters Team champions, after emerging first ahead of the Czech Republic and Great Britain.

“The last time I competed in this event was at the World Masters Track and Field in Lyon in 2015 where I placed outside the top 10 and our team finished third to claim bronze” recalled Kearns.

“It was a big improvement on my own individual performance and our team won gold to be crowned World Master champions” he added.