Local success at National Cross Country Championships in Castlelyons
There was no doubting it was an action-packed day at the Irish Life Health National Intermediate, Master, Juvenile B & Relays Cross Country Championships in Castlelyons on Sunday.
St Nicholas AC proved wonderful hosts on a day that saw a massive entry take on the purest of cross country running conditions.
JUVENILES SET THE TONE
There was no shortage of great races and drama in the juvenile races, with some local success to booth. Niall Quirke (Dundrum AC) and Ula Sokolowska (Midleton AC) took gold in the U11 races which opened the day’s action. Odhran Rodgers (Rosses AC) and Sarah Mulvaney-Kelly (North Leitrim AC) claimed the U13 titles.
Aoife Walsh led home a onetwo for D.M.P. AC in the U15 race, while the boys equivalent saw a local battle for honours, with Peter Verling (St. Nicholas AC) enjoying one of the cheers of the day as he crossed to collect gold, ahead of Cormac Fennessy from Carraig na bhFear AC.
Caoimhe Phelan (St. Senans AC) and William Park (United Striders AC) look names to remember and they took their respective U17 titles, with William Verling of St Nicholas AC taking silver in the Boys U17.
O’DONOGHUE MASTERS CORK CONDITIONS
The men’s division looked ultra-competitive on paper, but Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork AC) didn’t read the script, powering away to take the men’s title in what was a seriously deep field.
O’Donoghue finished over 20 seconds ahead of the ever consistent Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers AC), who is sure to have felt his exploits at the ECCC Cross Country in Portugal last weekend.
Eoin Mullan (Omagh Harriers) battled hard with Ciobanu up the home straight, but ultimately would have to settle for a brave 3rd place finish.
Rathfarnham W.S.A.F took the club gold medal thanks to some great pack running. Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F) led them home, with his three scoring teammates all inside the top 21 places.
TINKLER TRIUMPHS
Lauren Tinkler (Dublin City Harriers) confirmed favouritism in taking the women’s intermediate title with a brilliant display in the muddy conditions. Tinkler, who was part of the Irish U23 team at the European Cross Country Championships last December, showed all of her big race experience to take the gold medal.
Tinkler’s DCH clubmate Celine Galvin (Dublin City Harriers) followed in 19 seconds later to take the silver, while also providing the platform for DCH to take club honours. Ellen Moran (Galway City Harriers) followed hot on the heels of the front pair to claim the bronze. FITZGERALD FINISH LINE FEVER
Evan Fitzgerald (Clonmel AC) produced a brilliant display to take the men’s intermediate title. The Clonmel athlete was afforded the luxury of enjoying his winning performance on the run in, having built up an over 20 second lead over rivals Jamie Fallon (Craghwell AC) and Eoin Smyth (Tara AC) who claimed silver and bronze respectively.
Leevale took the club honours, led home by Gavin O’Rourke in 4th. The Cork club also calling upon the services of Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, Paul O’Donovan, who crossed the line in 34th.
OLYMPIAN OOZES CLASS
Another Olympian was in action in the masters race where Lizzie Lee (F40 Leevale AC) enjoyed a titanic battle with her clubmate Sinead O’Connor (F35 Leevale AC). Lee would go on to take the narrow victory, adding yet another team title to Leevale’s collection in the process.
Barbara Cleary (F45 Donore Harriers) was in contention throughout and would run on to claim a well-deserved 3 place finish overall, as well as the F45 title.