Cian storms to impressive race victory
THE local Athletics season got underway with the annual Blackrock AC Cross Country event which took place in the grounds of the Geraldines GFC on Sunday.
For the first time in recent years the weather and underfoot conditions were perfect considering the time of year.
The highlight from a St Peters AC point of view was the boys U17 race which was won by Cian Gorham with a very impressive performance showing great tactical awareness and taking his form from last year into the new year storming to victory.
The St Peter’s club had another great performance in the same race with Dean Murtagh who showed the results of his training when he out paced a group of athletes to take his place on the podium in the bronze medal position.
Niamh Brady dusted herself down having competed at the National Indoor Combined events the previous day to finish in second place in the girls U17 race. Dearbhla Allen continued we’re she left off last year and although out of her age she showed great confidence in taking the race on but had to settle for fourth place on the day in the girls under fifteen race but must be commended as there was little between her and the three podium places. Ellie Smyth also ran strongly in the same race.
Harry O’Reilly and Ben McKeown who are always willing to put their toe on Cross Country start lines both had decent races and showed great courage in moving up an age to the Under fifteen boys race.
The girls under thirteen race had three St Peters athletes who as a team narrowly missed out on medals, the three girls were all out of age but that didn’t deter their efforts and all three should be happy with their performance Hannah O’Reilly along with the welcomed return of her twin sister Emily following injury and Aoibhinn Hughes.
Donnacha Reidy was the sole representative in the boys U-13 race and although Donnacha has just recently moved to under 12 showed great courage which he gained from his recent schools victory in Drogheda the previous Thursday went out hard with the lead group and finished in a very creditable fifth place finish.
The under eleven race had Liam McKeown run very well and went hard from the gun, he ran exceptionally well and held on for a bronze medal which was well deserved as Liam has really applied himself to training in recent times as has is younger brother Killian who ran very well and even though he suffered an early fall he recovered well to finish in seventh position.
The girls under eleven race had Tatiana Zenderowska compete very well and although Tatiana would be happier competing at sprints she gave it her all representing her club.
Her younger sister Sabina showed her potential in the early stages of the girls U9 race showing her tremendous speed and will have a great track season ahead of her.
The girls younger sister Estera states off the day by winning the girls U7 race showing the great sprinting qualities that she shares with her older siblings.
The previous day Niamh Brady competed at the National Indoor Championships and although Niamh performed well unfortunately she had to settle for fourth place which of course is a great achievement at National level. Niamh will always look to take positives from the event and she had a positive 800M run which hopefully she can even further improve in the upcoming Leinster indoor Championships.