A Dunboyne team-win at the Women’s Meet & Train Winter League and Silver for Carol, League concluded Sunday 5th February 2017, Balheary playing fields, Swords
Fingallians were our gracious hosts for the fourth and final 2-mile race of the Women’s Meet & Train Cross Country Winter League on Sunday 5th February at Balheary playing fields in Swords. It was a cold, but gloriously sunny day. The course was fairly flat and underfoot conditions were very good, but for a few little strips of tarmac path.
Our Dunboyne A-side could not field a team on Sunday as some of the usual suspects were too busy winning team gold at the 10-mile Meath Championships. Fair enough, say all of us; we couldn’t say no to Championship Gold. They already had the necessary minimum of 3 races in hand and placed an impressive sixth in the league overall, out of a record 33 teams. Fantastic running and team camaraderie from Carol Cullinane, Ciara O’Neill, Dee Fitzsimons, Heather Harold, Jane Cahill and Mirela Herghelegiu; well done ladies!
The absence of a team did nothing to dampen Carol Cullinane’s spirits, as she togged out in Swords regardless, finishing 4th on Sunday and it was well worth the trip. Huge congratulations to Carol who was joint second lady in the overall league with a score of just 9 points in her 3 races, thanks to her 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes. Crusader’s Fiona Shine was first (6 points) with Sportsworld’s Maria Jones joint second.
The B-side also didn’t manage to field a team on Sunday due to illness and other commitments, but they also had the necessary 3 races already in the bag. Of course, nothing could stop the Fit4Lifers of the team from togging out and Audrey Keane and Michelle Higgins had super runs placing 91st and 98th respectively. Well done ladies for seeing the challenge through to the end. Ger Fagan ran her third race as an individual, alongside Michelle as they spurred each other on, finishing in 99th place.
Best news of all (unless you’re Carol, see above) our B team WON the bronze division of the league. Woohoo!!! This is what the Women’s Meet & Train League is all about; it is a fantastic opportunity for development, improvement and team inclusion from those who might not necessarily make the club’s first team very often, if ever. Congratulations to team members Annemarie Sheehan, Annette Conroy, Audrey Keane, Emily Ryan, Maeve Dunne and Michelle Higgins. It is wonderful to see a winning Dunboyne team comprising Seniors, present Fit4Lifers, past-Fit4Lifers and past Fit4Youthers. This is why Captain Emilia and our Senior and Fit4Life coaches are so keen to get us ladies involved in the Meet & Train League.
Thanks to Annemarie Sheehan who was our supporter, photographer and gear-woman on the day and to everyone who supported at any of the 4 races. Well done to Claire NiFhaircheallaigh who joined us for the third race in Lucan as an individual. Thank you to Fingallians AC for a clearly marked course and their wonderful hospitality afterwards.
The Summer League is currently in planning, and while dates are not yet confirmed, Sunday 2nd April, Sunday 23rd April and Wednesday 10th May have been suggested; two 5K races and one 4 mile, with all 3 races to count. The Summer League is held on road and pathways, so “I-don’t- do-Cross-Country” is not a valid excuse. We’d encourage all our Senior and Fit4Life women to come join us to form several teams. All standards welcome, the more the merrier.
Well done ladies on a great league and great team-spirit. Dunboyne AC ladies are on a roll, and as Captain Emilia informed us all at the AGM, she’s not done yet!
4th race results from Swords
| Place | Time | Name | Placing |
| 4 | 12:40 | Carol Cullinane | 4 |
| 91 | 17.57 | Audrey Keane | 91 |
| 98 | 18.51 | Michelle Higgins | 98 |
| 99 | 18.53 | Geraldine Fagan | 99 |
OVERALL LEAGUE RESULTS
| CLUB | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | TOTAL |
| GOLD DIVISION | |||||
| Sportsworld A | INC | 44 | 54 | 43 | 141 |
| Clonliffe A | 39 | 68 | 71 | 68 | 175 |
| Crusaders A | INC | 84 | 98 | 58 | 240 |
| Crusaders B | INC | 85 | 171 | 90 | 346 |
| Trim A | 73 | 106 | 187 | INC | 366 |
| Dunboyne A | 50 | 177 | 151 | INC | 378 |
| SILVER DIVISION | |||||
| Esker A | 126 | 182 | 161 | 102 | 389 |
| Bros Pearse A | 189 | 120 | 134 | INC | 443 |
| Fingallians A | 136 | 194 | INC | 127 | 457 |
| Clonliffe B | 144 | 196 | 202 | INC | 542 |
| Blackrock AC | 196 | 199 | 164 | INC | 559 |
| Crusaders C | 192 | INC | 227 | 172 | 591 |
| Lucan A | 145 | 198 | 288 | INC | 631 |
| BRONZE DIVISION | |||||
| Dunboyne B | 237 | 250 | 271 | INC | 758 |
| Fingallians B | 258 | 279 | 350 | 246 | 783 |
| Sportsworld D | 333 | 389 | 406 | 252 | 974 |
| Donore B | 296 | 398 | 420 | INC | 1114 |
| Esker B | INC | 387 | 389 | 246 | 1022 |
| Trim B | 289 | INC | 397 | INC | INC |
| Lucan C | 394 | 514 | INC | INC | INC |
| Fingallians C | 358 | 419 | INC | INC | INC |
| Sportsworld C | INC | 226 | 273 | INC | INC |
| Tallaght A | INC | 129 | INC | INC | INC |
| Donore D | INC | 283 | INC | INC | INC |
| Donore C | 296 | INC | INC | INC | INC |
| Fingallians D | 380 | INC | INC | INC | INC |
| Bros Pearse B | INC | 393 | INC | INC | INC |
| Tallaght B | INC | 414 | INC | INC | INC |
| Lucan B | 419 | INC | INC | INC | INC |
| Sportsworld B | INC | INC | 270 | INC | INC |
| Sportsworld E | INC | INC | INC | INC | INC |
| Crusaders D | INC | INC | INC | 229 | INC |
| Donore A | INC | INC | INC | INC | INC |
INC: Incomplete team
