O`Brien and Guiden tops for Aidans

Oct 21, 2011 [Noel Guiden] The Secondary schools cross country season continued today with another big invitational meet: The Drogheda Invitational hosted by St.Joseph`s. As in Santry for last weeek`s Brother Invitational Races the Clonliffe lads running for St. Aidans CBS in Whitehall were in excellent form. The big winners on the day were Adam O`Brien in the junior boys race and Ian Guiden in the seniors. Adam ran a fine race battling a number of his fellow Harriers from the Fogarty/Guiden Panzer Division to record his biggest win to date and with David O`Hanlon 5th, and Brian Flannagan 24th and Philip Keenan 43rd leading St. Aidans to a comprehensive win over the much fancied St. Patrick`s College Navan lads, turning the tables on last week`s Brother Junior race result. In an intriging battle Adam and club mate Cathal Doyle Adam wound up the pace to take the win with Cathal winning the sprint for 2nd. Paddy O`Hanlon (Ratoath) finished 13th.

In the senior race over 4.5k Ian Guiden ran a solo effort as he opened a big gap on the pack and was a comfortable winner. A fine run also by Johnny Bradley Ward to finish second with the St. Aidans team 2nd.

In the minor boys race young Joseph Hession continues to impress. After a poor start, when an almost false start left Joseph in mid pack he worked his way through the field like an old pro to eventually finish in 5th place. The St. Aidans minors were also 2nd. Craig McCourt was 10th in the inter race.

With the St. Aidans teams placing 2nd minor, 1st Junior and 2nd senior they took best overall school.