Joseph Cooper takes club cross country

Feb 13, 2010 [Noel Guiden] The 2010 Clonliffe club cross country championships took place in perfect conditions at Santry Demesne at high noon today. There was a fine turn out of athletes for the 6k event of around 25 or so. The Demesne itself has recovered well from the Europeans cross country with Spring grass now growing again and the the ground now pretty well dried out. A fresh, still Spring day greeted the athletes with the Harry Cooney Cup up for grabs.

As the runners went out on the first of four laps a strong quartet of Philip O`Doherty, Terry McLoughlin, Joseph Cooper and Ernie Ramsey gathered at the head of the pack, those four began opening a gap on the rest of the field. With a lap to go both Ernie and Terry were cut adrift as the pace was wound up and as the leaders came into view up past the Wall Garden Joseph Cooper had a clear lead which he held to the finish to be crowned 2010 Club Champion. 2nd, and 1st Master, was Philip O`Doherty, 3rd Terry McLoughlin and 4th Ernie Ramsey.

A couple of good battles also took place down the field with Stephen Byrne and Paul Carolan having a right “ding dong”, likewise Paddy Tuite and Pat Devitt. A good run also from Pat Bonass 1st of the Older Masters, and from David Dunwoody, now over injury and getting back into the swing of things.

In all a good championship race, the only disappointing thing was the absence of a womens race with only one women showing up on the day.