The qualifiers foe February 10th`s Leinster Schools cross country commenced yesterday in Avondale with the East Leinsters. There were a few Clonliffe athletes in action: Ian McElweaney successfully qualified with a 7th place finish in the junior boys race. Tess Loftus running a year out of age was unlucky not to progress finishing 17th in the inter race with only 15 going through. Also running was Ella Brown in a strong 5th place.
The North Leinsters with a big Clonliffe took place today in ALSAA. Ciara McDonnell reports: The North Leinsters were held in Alsaa today in absolutely beautiful conditions. Blue skies, glorious warm sunshine, little wind and a nice soft (but not swampy!) Anyway back to the athletes – they were obviously pleased that it was such a good day but they all had to job to do so their attention was primarily on their warm-ups and performances and, yet again, the Clonliffe Warriers did their schools and Club proud. During the course of the Championships today, no one was in a hurry to leave and it was fantastic to see to many spectators staying on – and supporting the athletes – until the very last race.
With places in the Leinster cross country at stake in two and a half weeks time in Santry Demesne the Clonliffe athletes were particularly keen on grabbing the precious starting places: top 3 schools or a top 15 place being the requirements.
Notable performances from the club`s athletes included superb wins by Aaron Cullen in the junior boys race and Sean O`Leary in the inter boys, a 2nd and 3rd by Brian Flanagan and Adam O`Brien in the seniors and an excellent 3rd place by Amy Hodson in the junior girls race.
Clonliffe results:
Minor Girls: Holly Roche 8th, Aoife Hession 10th, Ella Bergin 13th, Vicky McDonnell 15th, Kristin McGrady Hogan 18th
Minor Boys: Darragh Carter 10th, Dermot Buckley 18th
Junior Girls: Amy Hodson 3rd, Aimee Warren 9th
Junior Boys: Aaron Cullen 1st
Intermediate Girls: Cliona Cooley 23rd
Intermediate Boys: Sean O’Leary 1st, Craig Giles 9th, Jordan Byrne 11th, Stephen Cashin 16th, Daniel Lacey 17th, Cian Bolger 18th, Jack Horan 22nd, Fintan McManus 23rd,Sam Baker-Gorman 35th
Senior Girls: Alannah Cooley 7th
Senior Boys: Brian Flanagan 2nd, Adam O’Brien 3rd, Sean Carrigg 4th, Joseph Hession 9th, Alex Gibbons 11th, Thomas Ward 12th, Eoin Keating 14th, Greg Hosseney 17th, Kevin McKenna 24th