Nov 1, 2009 [Noel Guiden] The Dublin Juvenile (Even ages) Cross Country took place prior to the Junior and Senior Championships this morning and early afternoon in muddy St. Anne`s Park, Raheny. Thankfully the overnight down pour had shed it`s load just in time for the athletes to warm up, underfoot, as expected, water and mud (a day for 12mm spikes…take note the forgetful young man who will not be named and shamed!). Highlight of the program from a Clonliffe point of view was a most impressive first Dublin Cross Country title for Ian Guiden in the U/16 boys race, leading his team home to team silver.
First race of the day was the girls U/10s over 600m, the athletes facing a stiff head wind over the whole second half of the race, our two girls Andrea and Grace both did very well finishing in the pack. The U/10 boys also ran very well with Keelan 4th, David 8th and Elliott 15th all winning Dublin bronze, good runs also from Austin and Adam, the team placed an impressive 4th place.
Clonliffe numbers were down in the U/12 races, but all 6 , girls and boys put in strong performances: Lilly, Grace and Ella in the girls race and Keith Hodson 14th in the boys taking Dublin bronze, good runs also by Oki and Joseph.
As always Rachel Murray gave it socks in her race. She was the club`s only runner in the U/14 race over 1200m but she got herself to the front and gave her usual battling performance finishing just out of the top 3 placing 4th, however, was rewarded by claiming a place on the Dublin team for the National inter counties. The U/14 boys didn�t field a full team either, however, Sean McLoughlin, Luke and Cian all had solid runs.
Finally onto the U/16s. Both squads under the guidance of Coach Carr have been putting in great sessions since the Summer, unfortunately the girls team was decimated through injuries, colds and unavailability resulting in Laura Brennan being the sole wearer of the black and amber in the 2,000m race. Another gutsy run by Laura, particularily down the finishing straight saw her hold off two challengers to finish an impressive 9th place reaching her goal with places to spare…selection for the Dublin team. Again the boys team were effected by illness with the bare four making the start line. From the gun Ian Guiden got to the front sitting in second place into the wind on lap 1, at the end of this first of four he took the lead and extended it throughout the 3,000m winning by a margin of 150m plus for a classy first cross country title. Conor King ran a very strong race taking 11th place, Ryan Cashel battled away in the slippy conditions finishing 18th while John Buckley showed great bravery in finshing, despite being ill all week and very much under strength today, 33rd place and the team winning silver.
As always well done to our young athletes today, and to the team of coaches: Gladys, Marion, Mick (confined to sick bay today) and Gerry, parents and supporters. Next week we all head to Marley or the Phoenix Park (to be confirmed) for the uneven ages (U/11s to U/19) Dublins.