BRÓNA FURLONG was named as Athlete of the Year for 2009 at the Athletics Wexford presentation night on Wednesday last in the Stanville Hotel, Barntown. This follows on from a great year by the Slaney Olympic athlete in both 400m and 400m hurdles.

Kevin Murphy has been announced as Wexford Creamery athlete of the month for January, a period that saw the Slaney Olympic man reclaim his county Masters cross-country title in Kilmore.

The national Intermediate and Masters cross-country championships took place in Lough Key, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, on Sunday last and there was Wexford representation, with Tom Hogan in the Intermediate and Jim Stafford (both Slaney Olympic) and Ger Moloney (St. Paul's) in the Masters.

Tom ran well for a long way in his race, before being unable to maintain contact with the leaders, eventually finishing ninth in a very strong field behind race winner Brendan O'Neill (D.S.D.).

Jim and Ger both ran well in the Masters race, with Jim taking silver in the M50 category behind Tommy Payne (Tinryland A.C.).

The Irish Universities indoor track and field championships took place on Sunday week last in Nenagh.

Francesca Reville (W.I.T.) qualified from the semi-final of the 60m, but didn't take her place on the start line for the final. Bróna Furlong (D.C.U.) won gold in the 400m, having won her semi-final also. Emma Farrell (W.I.T.) bagged bronze in the 1,500m walk.

Sinéad Moloney (U.C.D.) finished fourth in the combined events competition (sprint hurdles, 800m, high jump, long jump and shot putt), but was out of luck in the high jump, long jump and shot putt.

Adrian Jackman (W.I.T.) failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the 60m but fared much better in the 60m hurdles, finishing second in his semi-final and then winning a bronze medal in the final.

Barry Upton (W.I.T) won his heat of the 200m but failed to qualify for the final from his semifinal, finishing in third place. Ross O' Loughlin (W.I.T.) finished in second place in his heat of the 400m but failed to make the final, placing third in his semi-final.

Andrew Connick (W.I.T.) failed to make the final of the 800m, finishing sixth in his semi-final. Joe Breen (U.C.D.) finished fourth in the 1,500m final. Andrew Connick (W.I.T.) and Sam Mealy (T.C.D.) finished in eighth and ninth places respectively in the 3,000m final.

The Kilmacthomas five miles road race was held on Sunday morning last and there was Wexford representation at the West Waterford A.C.-organised event which was won by Sandis Bralitis of the host club, who had won the My Sport 10k in Enniscorthy a week earlier.

Niall Sheil (St. Killian's) was first Wexford man home, finishing eighth in 27.56. Next was Paul Gibbons (S.B.R.) in ninth (27.58). Seán Murphy (United Striders) ran 29.49.

Eugene Doherty (S.B.R.) followed with a five-mile P.B. of 29.55, while Emmett Malone (United Striders) clocked 32.49.

Three S.B.R. runners travelled to Wickow town on Thursday last to take part in the 3k Fit4Life road race staged by Inbhear Dee A.C., and Lahcen Aouissar had a very good run to finish third in a time of 9.40.

Paul Gibbons finished fifth in 10.10, while Myles Gibbons was sixth in 10.12.

The meet and train group in Gorey is attracting decent numbers at the moment, and anyone interested in either running or walking as a group can come along each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.30 p.m.

The meeting point is the LIDL car park in Gorey, and more information can be had from P.R.O. Mick Redmond on 087-2418202.

Best of luck to all the Wexford athletes who will be taking part in the Leinster Juvenile (Under-12 to Under-19) indoor track and field championships this coming weekend in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Anyone who requires more infomation should log on to www.athleticswexford.com for the latest news, fixtures, results, upcoming meetings and courses.