There has been some outstanding success for Mayo athletes at today’s 123.ie All Ireland Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Co Waterford.

Freya Renton (middle) at the start of the minor girls 2000m, in which she won gold, during the 123.ie All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships at SETU Sports Campus in Carriganore, Waterford. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Gold, silver and bronze medals are all on their way to the west following brilliant performances by the Renton twins from Westport, Freya and Holly, and by Clodagh Gill from Ballina.

Freya and Holly Renton, who attend Sacred Heart School in Westport, were out in the very first race of the day, the minor girls 2-kilometre race, where they won gold and bronze respectively, to also help their school win the overall team prize. The sisters were split only by Freya Bateman who won silver for Mount Mercy College Cork. Freya Renton’s winning time was 7:35, some nine seconds quicker than Bateman.

They, however, had enjoyed the best of the conditions which were to become heavy underfoot as the day progressed but Clodagh Gill from St Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina was undeterred as she tackled the 3,500metres course in the intermediate girls final and came home in second place in a time of 14:26, behind winner Emily Bolton from Mount Sackville SS in Chapelizod.