Eugenia Bateson: Saturday March 7th, on a beautiful sunny day a small number of Clonliffe Athletes represented their schools in the All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships.
Beautiful conditions, far from what the rest of the Cross Country Season offered, our first out today was Nessa Byrne in the Inter Girls running for her school Loreto Stephens Green. Nessa had a fine run finishing 43rd and 3rd scorer on her team, securing a Team silver, just 4 points behind the gold.
In the Junior Boys, Braxton O’Shea ran as an individual for Gaelcholaiste Reachrann finishing 40th.
In the Inter Girls Kate Gill had a brilliant run finishing 43rd and 3rd scorer for her school Santa Sabina. Ella O’Sullivan was also part of that team finishing 88th with the team finishing 2nd with 91 points. In the Senior Girls Isla Duncan once again put her toe to the line, the 3rd time in a week, finishing 28th in this highly competitive race. A great run and a well deserved rest in store.
Race of the day was the Senior Boys Race. Donegal’s Caolan McFadden took the title in what was again a high caliber race. In a very tactical race Belevede College secured the team gold by one point with 111 points. Edy Blacque was the 4th scorer on the team in 49th with a fine run for him with William Walsh finishing in 64th on the same team.
Well done to all those who ran in Antrim today and to all those who represented their schools in their qualifying rounds.
With the Cross Country Season officially over, the schools will turn their attention to the Track and Field events which take place next month and into May, with Dublin Track and Field Championships in May.
Time to put away the muddy spikes….at last!!
