Sean Cronin takes Leinster Schools Minor title

Clonliffe Harriers hosted the Leinster schools cross country in Santry Demesne today. Despite recent weather conditions the ground was surprisingly good, there was obviously a fair bit of mud in places but the standing water was avoided by the course builders who were out from sunrise. By 10 AM the course was built and all was ready for the first of eight races on the card at 12 noon. From a Clonliffe perspective it was great to see such a positive start to the days proceedings with young Sean Cronin again putting in a starring performance in the minor boys race over the 1500 loop. Sean’s strength paying off in spades as he powered away to take a fine win adding the Leinster schools title to his national U/14 title won in Abbottstown last November.

Also through is Niall Carberry 15th in the inter boys race with the club’s other qualifiers came in the senior races at the end of the programme first off Aoife Hession putting in a never say die final 200 to go from 18th to 14th and grab a starting place on the line for the All Ireland schools for the first time. Then in the senior boys race Callum Simpson ran a superb race to finish in 12th position and likewise will line up in Santry on March 7th.

Of the other Clonliffe athletes there were a number of heartbreaks on the day with Orla O’Sullivan finishing 16th, one place and only three seconds off a place in the All Ireland’s in the inter girls race. Likewise 16th place for Aaron Cullen, as he recovers from recent illness in the senior boys race and in the junior girls race Sorcha O’Connor finishing in 18th you just out of the qualifiers. Full results are available on popupraces.ie .

A huge thank you to all of our dedicated club members who once again gave up their time to course mark and officiate. Leinster schools are fulsome in their praise for your professionalism and good humour throughout the course of a long day. Congratulations to all and as you all did such a great job the good news is that you have been booked for the All Ireland Schools XC on March 7th!