Ulster Juvinile Cross Country Even Ages Jordanstown Belfast
Seven Finn Valley teams collect medals at Ulster cross country
On a wet dreary October morning as many Children were tucked up in a snug warm bed, not the hardy children who are focused on winning medals at the Ulster Cross Country Championships being held at the University of Ulster Jordanstown Belfast, putting the hard effort of both coach & athlete into practice they anticipate the race that will take them to a higher level the National Champs in Tramore Co Waterford in November.
Just as the rain dwindled away first race off was the girls U-10's with a large numbers competitor eager to get started, with the usual surge that you would expect from the young henotheistic athletes the cream soon came to the fore. Ariene Crossan Letterkenny AC cousin to the talented Kelly family had an excellent run to take 2nd place whilst Aoibheann McHugh in an excellent 7th position closely followed by Amy Crossan in 10th, with two in the top ten this helped the team to 2nd overall behind a strong Ballieborough AC from Monaghan.
Following the girls came an the boys, getting out at the start is always instilled into you from an early age which was shown by the Denver Kelly, Jonathan Connolly & Charles Mc Daid when the three boys took the race on from the gun, as the race progressed Denver a ding dong of a battle with Michael McGrory from Letterkenny as they turn the bend to the final straight Denver moved up a gear and move away from Michael to win by a meter or two this in turn helped the Valley lads to silver medals .And so the day had begun positively
Under 12 girls always a competitive age group, today was no different with Tara Kate Harley and Leanne Kelly in the top twelve backed up by Eimear Kelly and Siobhan Mc Menamin to complete the team, this was good enough to carry them through in 2nd place just behind a strong Cranford team.
U-12 boys. A day that Osin Galen will remember with an excellent run to finish 2nd in a very competitive race. With 300m to go Osin was down in the twenties, with the confidence he has gained in the summer months on the track and having the ever ready mentors & coached on the sideline to encourage him on Osin began to accelerate gradually claying back to a fantastic 2nd position. Packing close behind in the top twenty were Pauric Patton, Daragh Bonner, Peter Sweeney & Shane McBride helping the team to 1st place.
Under 14 Girls, A talented bunch of girls that has a bond that most teams would envy, with a future to look forward to many will see today's run as a stepping stone, running out of their age group some will be encouraged by their runs other will see where their at and what needs to be done to get to the level they rightly belong. Whilst Rebecca is returning from a chest infection she will know that her talent is in the top three but with patients and consistant training no doubt that's where she will be. As per usual Blaithnaid & Shannon got stronger as the race progressed, completing the team was Oliva who will get stronger race by race, This team will be strengthened by the return of Kathleen Mc Ginty.
Under 14 boys, Usually a strong team but with some of the athletes deciding not to travel whilst the more dedicated and aspirational athletes put their feet on the line despite the inclement weather did them selves proud, Again running out of their favoured age group Georgie Kelly, Osin McHugh, Conor Glackin and Conor Lyons battles through the tough conditions they now look forward to two weeks time at the Finn Valley centre which hosts the even age Ulster's.
Under 16 Girls, Again the four girls battled through the elements, with just the four in the team it's always important that all four finish no matter how hard it is, again another one of the hard lesson you learn as a young athlete, never let a team down!!! Remember it's not just the team it's also the club you let down. With the exciting talent that is Ciara Kelly in the race again out of her age group she will have gained a lot of experience from the run, whilst backing her up was Shannon Kelly who is getting stronger race by race and Madeline Penrose and Rachelle Tourish who completed the team that were just outside the medals.
Under 16 Boys, An ever improving team, another team that will expect to be in the shake up for national medals come November. A talented group of boy in a extremely competitive age group, again out of their age group the lads battled an gained the experience from which they must now get their heads into the reality of hard training from which they will progress to Nationals. Mark Bonar beginning to mix it where his talents belong, With the Fluent & economical running of both Dean Bonar & Eoin Bonar no doubt they will flow in the dry sandy condition at Tramore, Backing up the team was Ryan Mc Nulty and Justin Brown who are both gaining in confidence and strength,
Under 18 Girls, Whilst the team finished 2nd to a Beachmount team that they beat last year some encouragement must be taken from the girls that they battled to the line, Emily Murphy taking the race on in the early stages only to tire to words the end this is encouraging to see, Elish Patton coming through the field finishing strong as did Karen Ferguson. If the girls can get out as group and work together their confidence will grow.
Under 18 Boys, After all the waiting and hanging around it was time for the boys to go. If this was a schools race St Eunan's of Letterkenny would have won hands down. The lad from Convoy Padric McLaughlin who is getting better and better with each race, The Quiet unassuming lad has shown that by persisting with training you will gain the reward, Padric took the race on in the early stage a new tactic for Padric. With the talented Cain O Reilly eventually winning the race and Christopher Johnston from Letterkenny finishing 2nd the battle was on for 3rd spot. Another talented athlete Jamie Crawford backed up Padric eventually finishing in a very creditable 13th place, Jamie better known, as a track athlete will go from strength to strength. Michael Penrose concluded the team just finishing out of the medals.
Over all the day was a great success for the Valley athletes with 7 out of the 10 team winning medals. The club now looking forward to the uneven age that will be held at the home of Finn Valley in two weeks time, Next week the Donegal Senior CC will be held at the centre, Monday the Dublin City Marathon will be held in Dublin with a number of athletes involved Good luck to all.
Results.
Results.
Lots of pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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