The 2014 cross country season got underway this morning in the picturesque surroundings of Ardgillan Castle, near Skerries in North County Dublin. This was the venue for the opening round of the Dublin Juvenile Cross Country League. A bright morning with a strongish breeze coming off the sea was waiting for the 75 strong Clonliffe troop. The course itself was a 1 lap loop made longer by moving the start further back, meaning that all had the pleasure of the hill!
With the club`s athletes only having a couple of week`s running under their belts after the summer break it is pleasing to report on a most encouraging start to the season. All put in good solid performances and will benefit from having the odd cobweb now blown away. On the day some top notch running from U/9s right up to U/16s. The day started well with a fine second place from Daniel Coleman 2nd in the U/9 400, older brother Michael was 4th in the U/11 800. The U/13 girls squad also started impressively with a top 4 placing of Amy Hodson 3rd, Ella Brown 4th, Rachel Fagan 5th and Abby Sheehy 8th. Cillian Forrester placed 6th in the boys U/13 race.
Amy Warren was a strong 4th in the girls U/14 1200 race and in the boys race Aaron Cullen was 3rd with Ben Guiden 8th. The U/15 girls also hit the ground running today recording a one two in their 1500m from Lauren Carr and Hannah Browne, with Cliona Cooley 9th, Amy Connolly 13th and Kate Howlett 17th. Likewise very strong runs from the U/15 boys Stephen Cashin 5th, Harry Pierce 6th, Sam Baker Gorman 8th and Mark Kearns 10th. Finally over 2,000m Sophie Higgins was 4th and Amy McGrath 9th and in the boys Alex Hogan 3rd, Kevin Loftus 6th and Keith Hodson 7th.
So at the end of the day a good start for the young Clonliffe crew, next league race in two weeks time September 28th.