Feb 16, 2009 [Jeremy Walsh] David Flynn took pride of place for Clonliffe yesterday winning individual silver in the National Intermediate Cross Country Championships at Tymon Park. Over 10k, Sean Hehir from Rathfarnham WSAF, who was a comfortable 4th in the Dublin Senior Cross Country Championships went straight to the lead. He was determined to win this from the front and had built a considerable lead by the end of the first of 5 laps. The chasing pack was made up of Tom Fitzpatrick of Tallaght, Barry Minnock of Rathfarnham, a few others and David sat in with this chase group. As the race went on, David gradually picked the runners ahead off one by one, until it was just him and an athlete from Togher AC battling it out for second place. With 400 to go David was a few yards back, but with a strong final spurt he finished second in the end. As far as we are aware, David may be the youngest person ever to medal at this level. Well done David.
Club historians are scratching their heads trying to remember Clonliffe athletes who have previously medalled at National Intermediates – Eamon Tierney and Kevin Heffernan have been mentioned.
Declan Power ran his usual clever tactical race, passing many in the second half to finish very credibly in the 20s. Eoin Pierce was next home, somewhere in the 40s, with Ronan Hartnett completing the team scoring. The team finished in 6th place.
The remaining team members had a right battle, with Brian Gallagher ultimately taking 5th from Terry McLoughlin who ran a good race with a strong second half. Colm Groome in his first race for the club was hot on Terry’s heels with Joe Cooper Junior not far behind.
In the County race, Dublin took Gold, with David Flynn and Declan Power members of the winning team. Enjoy racing with the Seniors from now on Declan!
In the Master Mens event Philip O’Doherty was first Clonliffe home, from Tom Monks, Alan Worrall and Terry Mee.
Results:
Intermediate Men – 10k
2 David Flynn 32.33
28 Declan Power 35.10
41 Eoin Pierce 35.57
67 Ronan Hartnett 37.29
70 Brian Gallagher 37.40
76 Terry McLoughlin 37.54
78 Colm Groome 38.00
94 Joe Cooper 40.14
Master Men – 7k
83 Philip O’Doherty 25.09
102 Tom Monks 25.47
148 Alan Worrall 28.31
167 Terry Mee 30.54