We had the pleasure of a short journey to the Cowpark on the Clonee Road on Sunday the 15th of January 2017 for Day 1 of the 2017 Cross Country Season as Dunboyne AC hosted the Leinster Juvenile Inter Club Cross Country Relays. This event was the curtain raiser for the Leinster Intermediate and Master Cross Country Championship, with home advantage seemingly being a key ingredient to a successful day, no matter what the age of the athlete is. The results were as follows:
U/12 Girls Girls Team
Kate Gormley
Amy O Reilly
Isabel Philips
Hannah Brown
These youngster are still learning the trade, and experienced the physical contact of Cross Country Running for the first time finishing in the top ten in the biggest field of the day.
U/12 Boys
Matthew Kiefer
Ciaran McCormack
Jed Collins
Dillon Ryan
A more experience group of athletes, avoided the rustle and bustle to gradually make their way to the front of the field, where eased their way to silver behind the current All Ireland Cross Country Champions Mullingar AC.
U/14 Girls Green Team
Aleah Kelly
Aoife McCormack
Sophie Dolan
Kala Ryan
A mix of the old and the new, as the under 13 talent joined the under 14 charisma. A mature approach to the race for this quartet, as they never panicked and kept cool heads to go on and win silver, each athlete playing an equal role in this success.
U/14 Girls Blue Team
Rachel Norman
Lucy Eglington
Niamh Sherlock
Kate Griffin
The remainder of the under 14 gang also had a decent showing, these girls more distance orientated than speed racers, still did the club proud as they came home in sixth.
U/14 Boys
Ross Lyons
Matthew Dolan
Adam Smith
Pablo Mendoza
It was a case of catch me if you can, as these lads took to the front. There was a bit of a juggling act with the baton at one stage during the race, and the boys were only pipped coming up the finishing straight having to settle for bronze.
U/16 Girls Green Team
DoireannNi Fhlatharta
Kate Reilly
Rachael McManus
Katie Greene
This was a Kilbride Parish express with a touch of Dunboyne to steer them in the right direction. The girls swapped the lead though the race before having to settle behind for Silver behind All Ireland Cross Country Champions Thomastown.
U/16 Girls Blue Team
Bonnie McFeat
Sarah Magee
Anna Griffin
Victoria Knox
Another strong age group within the club, each of these athletes were a fraction outside making the Green Team, powered their way around the course to finish a respectful 6th.
Well done to all, and a big thank you to all the club members and parents who got stuck in and did the Club proud in hosting this Provincial Event. Click HERE to see some great photos of our athletes, with thanks to Claire Clifford.
