Team Silvers for Women & Men at Dublin Novice

The highs and lows of sport were encountered at a rain lashed Dublin novice cross country championships in Tymon Park this afternoon. Both the Clonliffe women and men’s teams put in excellent displays with both teams taking back to Santry set of team silver medals.

The Clonliffe women’s team once again continued the great strides forward being made under women’s captain Jenny Johnston with some 9 athletes lining up in the black and amber. From the off Meghan O’Keeffe put herself right in the mix getting into the lead pack, likewise excellent starts from both Rachel McFadden and Jenny put the team in a strong position by halfway. There was an excellent packing further back with Aisling Killelea in particular having a fine run indeed. Every athlete gave it everything they had, the Clonliffe placings at the finish where Meghan 9th, Rachel 11th, Jenny 13th, Aoife O’Reilly 19th, making up the scoring 4 but very well backed up by Aisling 20th, Ciara Peelo 22nd, Caoimhe O’Reilly 24th Katie Halpin 47th. The team finished in silver 52 on points behind DCH 1st (20 points) with Crusaders AC 3rd (70 points).

The men’s team also put in a really great shift, from the off there were 3 Clonliffe athletes in the lead positions with Ben Coughlan and Niall Carbery pushing to the front and new Clonliffe member Sean Owens also showing very well. As the race wound on Sean found that he had probably started a little too quick and he drifted back into the pack however others start making their moves by halfway in particular Cathal McHale who has a stunning second-half to propel himself right into the reckoning. Ben got overhauled on the final lap, possibly paying the price for doing a lot of the early spadework, however he claimed individual bronze, Niall Carbery was 4th, Stephen Cashin 5th (it came to light wherever that Stephen was in eligible and was discounted from the results), next in was Cathal in 13th, Fintan Keirns 21st, Sean Owens battling away grimly in 37th, Oren Kenny 44th, the ever dependable Peter Bissett 50th and Dermot Buckley 77th. The team also took silver behind Bros Pearse AC and Crusaders AC 3rd.

Very well done to all.