Eugenia Bateson reports: In horrendous conditions 7 teams took part in the Juvenile Uneven age Championships in the muddiest Abbottstown.
The opening event of the day for Clonliffe was the U13 Girls. This team have worked so hard all year with their goal to qualify for another Cross Country National Championship so to see the team achieving their goal was remarkable and even more impressive that there are more girls who will be strong candidates for the team next year. The team were lead home by Muireann Spence in 44th. Ava Fagan was second scorer in 50th, Ria Hobbs who was running up an age was very impressive in 95th with Lucy Fagan brining in the 4th score in 119. Sarah Thomas also had a brilliant run finishing in 137 and Adrianna Madrzynska finished 148. The team finished 9th overall with 308 points. The same team finished 10th last year with 330 points and shows the improvement that this dedicated group are making.
Next up were the U13 Boys. Finn McGurren lead the boys home in fine style coming in 36th closely followed by Ruairí Donnelly Browne in 39th. Maximilian Schwarzbacher had a stormer, benefiting from skipping the Park Run yesterday, skipped through the field coming in 55th position with Max Bamford finishing in 78th. 5th man home was Rhys Jenkins in 112 followed by Conn Feore in 120th. A very strong team who scored 208 points for 5th position. Watch this space for next year.
U15 Girls were now challenged with even mudier mud! Kate Gill battled her way through leading the girls home in 73rd, Sophia Tennant had a brilliant race and fought for every place on the home 150m to finish in 86th. Alex Wallace who has made a massive improvement this year came home in 105, plenty to come from here with Geve Duncan recovering from a nasty virus finishing 120th. Carragh Nigfhloinn had a good run today also finishing 129 with Aliyah Riyad who has also been ill putting in brave battle finishing 137th as she ran up an age. These girls have made huge progress and did the club proud making it to Nationals. An interesting team to watch in the years to come.
U15 Boys were one of our strongest teams out there today and again, they did not disappoint. Conor Kenny finished a brilliant 11th place followed closely by Mark Kelly in 15th who is really finding fine form. Sam Steenson had a brilliant and gutsy run in 57th for 3rd score with Braxton O’Shea also under the weather finishing 80th. Seamus Phelan rallied hard and came in 93 running out of age and Hayden Kenny as always, backed his team well today, a man to be relied on finishing 112th. This talented and competitive team were rewarded with a Team Bronze with 163 points behind North Belfast Harriers and Mullingar Harriers
U17 Girls unfortunately did not have a team making the task for Sophie Kernan, our sole competitor even harder as she was hit with wind and sheets of rain. Sophie has had an incredible year and growing from strength to strength and today will only stand to her. She finished 95th and did her coach very very proud.
U17 Boys The team unfortunately was hit by injury and sickness but none the less put on a brave performance. Edy Blaque battled hard today and led his team home in 58th position. Cormac Tynan finished 99th and has shown great improvement over the past 12 months. Ryan Fagan is finding his feet in his new sport of athletics and is certainly not afraid to get stuck in and has a brilliant kick finish. He finished 104th. One to watch as he settles in the world of athletics. Dominic Vaitulionis also had a great run today finishing 105th. Fiachra O’Donovan is also returning to training and finished 110th. A relatively new team with lots to learn but showed up and gave it their all today. Good experience gained.
U19 Girls team was unfortunately depleted by half of the team falling sick. None the less the 3 girls who did show up put in fine runs. Isla Duncan continues to impress. She had a brilliant run hovering around the 20/22 position in lap 1 and 2 but feeling strong as she entered lap 3. She ran extremely well and finished 14th overall. Rachel Ardiff ran very well today despite carrying a small injury but pushed on well through the mud finished 63rd. Rebecca Finn had a very good run and battled to keep her place finishing 64th giving it all in the last 400 meters to keep her spot. The girls team finished 4th with 141 points.
The U/19 boys put in great performances and were rewarded with team bronze courtesy of Matei Ursachi 14th, Harry Bogan 29th, Liam Arthur 31st and Aidan Benjacar 41st. Matei also picked up intercounty gold for Dublin. Rory Quill finished 60th, Aaron Murray 64th and Jack Quinn 78th.
A number of county and regional medals were also won by the club today and will be awarded at the Juvenile Awards night on the 16th.
As the Juvenile Captain I am extremely proud of what we have achieved this year. Our Cross Country teams are growing in terms of bonding and performance which will help us grow from strength to strength. Many thanks to our team of coaches who stand in the wind and the rain, the frost and the puddles at every training session to help our athletes achieve their goals. The dedication and mentorship is vital to the success.
Well done to all the parents who have had to deal with muddy clothes, lost socks/ jackets/ singlets and indeed spikes throughout this season.
And most of all, well done to each and every amazing athlete who competed in Cross Country leagues, Dublin Championships and to the National XC Finalists. You have done your club proud, each and every one of you.