***Fine Performances including Medal Wins by Dunboyne AC Athletes at the National Novice Cross Country, Dungarvan, Sunday 6th December***
The Clubs strongest runners landed themselves in Dungarvan on Sunday just as the storm departed for the National Novice Cross Country Championship being held in St. Augustine’s College for the first time since 2007. The National Novice is second only to the Interclubs in terms of standard nowadays and both fields were stacked as usual this year. Although the course is relatively flat the rain and Juvenile races had left their mark on the terrain by the time the main two races of the day were due to start and there was a mud bath to contend with by 2pm.
In the women’s race, over 4km’s, we had Eva McNeilis, Emilia Dan, Laura Buckley and Roisín Bell in action. Eva had a good run into this competition having escaped duty at the county intermediate last weekend following her win at it in 2014. The break stood her in good stead as she placed a fantastic 15th overall. Hot on her heels was captain Emilia, leading by example as always, with a 19th place finish. Within sight of Emilia was our county novice champion Laura Buckley in 32nd place overall. Laura deserves huge kudos for her determination to contribute to the team: having been ill and in bed since Thursday night Laura (despite advice to the contrary) refused to let the team down and made it to Dungarvan, sleeping in the car all the way, and sleeping in the car while the rest of the team walked the course. Laura picked herself up at one o’clock and at 2 took off like lightning, giving it what must have been an unmatched effort throughout, and coming home in an incredible 32nd position. Lastly, Roisín was back in action and in doing so was one of our six ladies (including Ciara Rooney and Bridget Clarke) who helped the Meath team to place third overall, and one of the four to bring Dunboyne AC to sixth in the team competition. Congratulations ladies!
Onto the lads…Loughlin Campion Luke Forde, Rory Kavanagh and Derek Finnegan lined out for us in the 6km men’s race. Loughlin followed on from an excellent 51st in the Intercounties and put in the performance of the day finishing in 13th place. Rory continues to find his form placing 2nd scorer in 29th. Luke Forde returned to action, still not back fully but ran hard for a 64th place finish. Derek on his third weekend racing for the club, followed up on last weeks’ outing in the Meath Novices and the previous weekends race at Santry finishing in 139th. The lads placed 9th overall out of 24 teams.
Super going from our two XC teams. Their attention now turns to the County Senior Championship hosted by Bohermeen AC on the 20th December, where we hope to win, both!
Photos of the teams in action can be seen here
