With the passing of Storm Desmond nobody knew what to expect as we arrived on the grounds of Saint Augustine Secondary School in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford for the Un- even Ages Glo Health All Ireland Cross Country Championship on Sunday the 6th of December 2015. The venue was well marshalled by the East Waterford AC volunteers, where they even managed to keep the hoards of athletes off the running course itself before the start of the first race of the day.
Our under 11 girls had the pleasure of running on a smooth flat carpet of grass. As they packed into the starting chutes tensions were high: after a successful outing at provincial level there was a lot expected of this group – and they did not disappoint.
The team who got the thumbs up for this national final was Aideen Reilly, Aleah Kelly, Eriin O Toole, Kate Stewart, Serena Gavin and Sophie Dolan. With Aleah and Sophie having an advantage of place in the front line at the start due to being on Leinster duty both girls ran (forgive the pun after recent weather) stormers: Sophie running with great determination earning an individual medal with her top ten finish and with new-girl Aleah also finishing in the top fourteen, the girls accelerated the Leinster team to gold in the inter provincial competition. Eriin, who moved up an age group along with Laura, never gave up the hunt for team glory and with Kate and Aideen hot on their heels our girls’ brave efforts were rewarded with a podium finish and bronze medals in both the club and inter county competitions. This was one of the finest team performance in many years from a very talented bunch of Dunboyne AC athletes and they bought great joy and pride to parents and coaches alike. It was a joy to watch this bunch in their fits of post race giggling after such a gruelling race which bring the curtains down on a very impressive season.
By the time that our under 13 girls got to run, the green carpet had transformed to brown slush and the under foot condition were by now horrific. With Abigail Knox being absent due to a late injury the girls lined out as follows; Aoife McCormack, Chloe Frazer, Doireann Ni Fhlatharta, Kayla Ryan, Niamh Sherlock and Rachael Norman. Four of these girls were underage and indeed they showed fantastic character despite the age difference with only Kayla, Niamh and Rachael actually finishing the race due to the ferocity of the racing and the mentioned conditions. The silver lining from this race was our under 12’s performances and Kayla, being a Leinster team member that took gold, as she had her second top thirty finish of the National Cross Country finals. In the club competition there needs to be a fourth finisher to score but alas it was not to be – some clubs passing comment that it was about time this group actually shared some of the spoils with other clubs.
With Ross Lyons , another of the regular starters, missing through illness it was left up the Leanes and Richards families to fly the flag for the club in the under 13 boys race. Conor and Marc Leane had the advantage of a front line start, again being part of the Leinster team but club newcomers Eoin and Thomas Richards got off to a flyer to put the Dunboyne AC team in contention. Conor had the club performance of the day when he bravely went for glory and led the race from the front only to be caught on the final approach, to finish a frustrating second overall- coaches joking with his parents that he seems to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride as he has finished second the Nationals for a second year running as well as second in both the indoors and outdoors All Ireland middle distance track competitions.
His day will come.
Marc capped off his season with another fine performance as he was a scorer for the Leinster team that won bronze in the inter provincial competition. Eoin showed growing racing maturity as he led younger brother Thomas home and helped the Dunboyne and Meath teams finish a very respectable fifth in this All Ireland competition.
Thanks to all the coaches and support who travelled and well done to all our young athletes.
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