At the National Juvenile Cross Country Relays today a fine performance from our U15 Boys team shows a exciting time ahead for the black and amber. While we basque in the glory of Cathal and Efrem, there are rumblings in the Juvenile Section of glory days ahead.
The A Team in the U15 Boys Relay showed a stunning display of discipline, endurance, team work and ambition – all the ingredients needed for the win. Braxton O’Shea was first man out and he challenged first position from the gun. He had to work hard to break away from the Mullingar Harriers man and he battled hard. Coming around the 200 m to finish bend, he opened his stride and charged onto Conor Kenny handing the batton over in first position. Conor had an excellent leg in this 1000m lap and managed to open the gap as he ran to his twin Hayden. Hayden had a strong run and was determined to build on the gap. He looked strong and composed and focused. DSD were now chasing but Hayden knuckled down and ran an effortless looking run showing pure class in his leg. Hayden handed the batton to Mark with possibly an 80m lead. No pressure Mark, but the lads only had the race to lose at this stage. Mark was taking no chances and ran a strong, consistent and gutsy 1000m showing what a strong team these lads are and took a convincing finish with the team finishing 12 seconds ahead of DSD.
The B Team also had a fine run. Eoghan Thompson opened the race for the lads as he sprung across the course into Joel Thomas. Joel had probably one of his strongest runs picking up a number of places in his leg. On to Peter O’Sullivan who battelled his way through the course into Ollie Galvin who finished the race bringing the lads home in 8th with an impressive sprint finish. There is great depth in the U15 squad which was shown in strength today.
The U13 Girls also put out two teams today. Ava Fagan, Muireann Spence, Adrianna Madrzynska and Sarah Thomas ran a fine race finishing in 7th in this National Championship event. The B Team of Lucy Fagan, Grace Byrne, Grace Keegan and Aoife Henry had a great run, finishing in 22nd.
The U13 Boys team finished 5th with Isaac, Finn, Channing, Robin and Rhys Sexton. The B Team of Ruairí, Rhys Daly, Conn and Rhys Jenkins finished 20th
Our U11 Boys and girls gained great experience today. In awful conditions they got a real taste of Cross Country running, as did their parents!! Well done to all on some great runs and fantastic team work
In the mixed relays, we had 3 U12 teams who finished 28th 40th and 41st in a stacked field.
U14’s were struck with withdrawals but none the less fielded 2 teams finishing 8th and 21st. Well done to all
Well done to all the athletes, subs, coaches and parents who braved the elements today.
The next cross country race is the Dublin Uneven Age Cross Country Championships in City West on the 2nd November. Entries close on 27th – STRICTLY NO LATE ENTRIES. Entry: https://entry.athleticsireland.ie/#/