Eugenia Bateson reports: Today say the Leinster Schools Cross Country Championships take place in the Navan Adventure Centre following a ground assessment in the original venue of the Phoenix Park declaring it unfit.
Athletes faced the challenge of uncertainty along with the dramatic change from a flat fast course to a hilly course, a shock to the system for most.
The Girls races were run first and our first competitors were in the Junior Girls. Nessa Byrne was first of our girls across the line in 31st place, the 2nd scorer for her team, Loreto Stephens Green who finished in 2nd and qualifying for the Nationals in Armagh next week. Alex Wallace was close in behind her in 32nd with Carragh Nighfloinn finished 50th
In the Inter Girls race, Ayana O’Callaghan was first of the Clonliffe girls home finishing in 34th following closely by Kate Gill in 36th. Kate ran for her school Santa Sabina who finished 2nd team who will also compete in Armagh next week. Ella O’Sullivan was also part of that team finishing in 59th.
In the Senior Girls Isla Duncan secured individual qualification with her 15th place finish. Hannah Walsh finished 40th, Mya O’Reilly finished 46th and Rachel Ardiff finished 48th
In the Minor Boys Seamus Phelan finished 20th, Andrew Low finished 32nd, Max Bamford finished 43rd
Performance of the day from a Clonliffe point of view came from Braxton O’Shea who finished 6th in the Junior Boys race. Luke Tracey also achieved individual qualification in this race with a 15th place finish. Eoghan Thompson finished 17th, Mark Kelly finished 33rd, Ollie Galvin 59th and Joel Thomas finished 89th.
in the Inter Boys race, Joshua Chalmers finished 33rd and Dominic Vaitulionis finished 39th
In the final race of the day The Senior Boys, Edy Blacque was first of the Clonliffe men home in 30th with his position giving the 3rd score to Belvedere who took the title. Fiachra O’Donovan finished in 66th position on the same team
The All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships take place in Newtownabbey, Antrim on Saturday 7th March. Best of luck to all our qualifiers.
Apologies for any omissions in the above report.