A strong turnout for our Juveniles many taking part in their First National Championships!
Our U11’s fielded two teams in both the boys and girls races. It was a fantastic effort by the youngsters taking on the National Cross Country Course in such fine style.
The U12 was a Mixed Relay event, with each athlete running 500m to the exchange zone. Muireann Spence, Rhys Daly, Ava Fagan and Conn Feore put in fine runs as they prepare for the National Championships in Enniskillen in November. Tim O’Sullivan was the reserve. The team finished in 11th which puts them in the top 3rd Nationally.
U14 team of Carragh Nigfhloinn, Ollie Galvin, Kate Gill and Braxton O’Shea also put in fantastic legs and were rewarded with an 8th Place Finish.
U15 Boys moved up to a 1K leg each. 3 out of 4 of this team are U14 and were very impressive. Hayden Kenney got out to a strong start setting the team up well, handing into Eoghan Thompson who ran a very determined leg. Next out was Cormac Tynan who ran strong and focused going into Conor Kenny. Conor also ran extremely well, with the team finishing in 6th place overall. Perfect preparation heading to Nationals for these lads also.
The last Juvenile Relay of the day was the mixed U17 Relay. Young Sophie Kernan had the unenviable task of taking on the first leg to set up the team, and she did so very well with a strong sprint to her batton change into Tadgh Cowley. Tadgh took on the lap very well pushing throughout and taking a place as he went up the final hill in his leg. Goda Buivydyte ran a very impressive leg. Having received the batton with a considerable gap to the competitor in front of her, she closed in as she went showing fine form. She had fought well during her leg as she handed into Sean Henry. With medals out of grasp for the team, Sean pushed through his leg and was happy with his 1K time . The efforts of this team finished them in 9th place.
It was a fantastic morning of Juvenile Cross Country Relays.
A special mention to Emily Bolton who won the Junior International Cross Country Open race in truly spectacular fashion. More on that in the Senior Report.
Next races are on Sunday 20th with the Clonliffe 2 Mile (entries close today) and the Dublin League Round 2.
Entries are open for the Dublin Uneven Age Cross Country Championships which take place on the 3rd November in City West. Don’t forget to enter as there will be no late entries. Link below:https://entry.athleticsireland.ie/#/ Entries close 30th October. You are advised not to leave it to the last minute.