Adamstown all set to host annual Leinster cross-country races
ADAMSTOWN HOSTS both the Leinster Senior and Juvenile (uneven ages) cross-country championships next Sunday.
It is a great honour for host club Adamstown A.C., to be asked to host such a prestigious event. They are expecting a large turnout as it’s not every day you get to see some of the country’s top cross-country athletes on your doorstep.
From a Wexford perspective, Ger Forde (Slaney Olympic) put in a devastating performance in the county Senior with only Niall Sheil (St. Killian’s) even attempting to go with his pace. If he has maintained and built on that form, Ger is a definite contender next Sunday.
Unfortunately, Niall is not available to run as he has an international race in Derry at the weekend. Young Enda Cloake, third in the county Senior, appears to have re-discovered some of the form of his Junior years. Adamstown will be a good litmus test for him. Should Tom Hogan run he will, of course, also be up there.
Then there is the evergreen Tommy McElwaine (S.B.R.) who was so close to bagging a bronze at the county event. He too will be in the mix along with Alan O’Connor, John McGrath and Brendan Lyng (all United Striders), and Tommy’s clubmates Denis Monahan, Noel Kennedy and Martin Askins.
As regards the Wexford ladies, one would hope to see our top finishers in the county championships performing. As yet there is no confirmation that they will be doing so.
County Champion Fiona Kehoe (Kilmore) would certainly be there or thereabouts should she run. Likewise Ciara Wilson of D.M.P. She has been building over the past couple of months and looks to have the strength to make the top 20.
On the Juvenile side, we have a number of really classy athletes who are hot to trot right now.
Myles Hewlett (United Striders) is in flying form and he must definitely be considered a contender in the Under-13 boys. Striders will also be hoping to get a team medal as Cosmo Hewlett and Eoin Shannon will not be too far off the pace.
D.M.P’s Under-11 blonde bullet, Kevin O’Mahoney, is a force of nature and a joy to watch. All going well he will be on the podium next Sunday.
Joe Byrne (S.B.R.) looked superb in taking the Under-15 county title. He is a born cross-country runner. Expect him to be in the final shake-up. The Striders duo of Aidan Shannon and Adam O’Connor will also be hoping to make it through to the nationals in the Under-15 race and, all going well, leading the team to a medal of some colour.
Claragh Keane had a great run in Navan recently to take an Under-14 bronze. She will be hoping for more of the same in the Under-15 race. Likewise Aoibhinn Mernagh (D.M.P.).
In the girls’ Under-13 race, if both Sinéad O’Reilly (Menapians) and Orlaith Deegan (S.B.R.) can withstand the early heat and keep in touch they can make an impact.
In the girls’ Under-11 race, Katie Doyle (Bree), Emma McCarthy (St. Killian’s) and Éadhain Keane (D.M.P.) will be hoping to make it to make the top 20.
Róisín O’Reilly (Menapians) is running the Under-17 4,000m and she would love to squeeze into the top twelve and a place in the nationals.
Aedan Rogers (U.S.A.C.) and Liam Turner (D.M.P.) run the Under-19 6,000m. While both will need to be at the top of their game to deal with what is sure to be a fast and furious pace, they will welcome the experience.
Fixtures: Sunday, November 12, Leinster Juvenile (uneven ages) and Senior cross-country championships, Adamstown, Co. Wexford; Friday, November 17, winter league, Enniscorthy Sports Hub, 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 18, British and Irish Masters cross-country championships, Derry; Sunday, November 26, All-Ireland Juvenile (even ages), Junior and Senior cross-country championships, Abbotstown, Dublin; Wednesday, November 29, Mr Oil secondary schools cross-country, Good Counsel College, New Ross, 11a.m.; Sunday, December 3, winter league, Enniscorthy Sports Hub, 2 p.m.; Sunday, December 10, Mr Oil Wexford Intermediate cross-country championships, Lingstown, 12 noon; Sunday, December 17, All-Ireland Juvenile (uneven ages) and Novice cross-country championships, W.I.T., Waterford; Sunday, January 21, 2018, Mr Oil Wexford Masters and Juvenile relays - venue TBA; Wednesday, January 24, 2018, A.G.M., venue and time to follow.