It was back to Cross Country this weekend for our juveniles as they travelled to Ballinacree in the far corner of County Meath for the Meath Community Games Cross Country Championship. This meet acts doubles up as County Team Trials as the athletes competing in the under 12 and older age groups make their bid for selection for the National Community Games which will be held in Abbotstown, Dublin in May 2017. As always our hosts Saint Brigids AC had the course in immaculate conditions, with under-foot conditions only breaking up in the latter races on this cold morning. With the added bonus for medals for the top six finishers our competitors were as follows;
Under 8
Alex Doyle
John O Hanlon
George Comerford
Holly Dylan
Report- Most of these budding athletes were competing at competition level for the first time and the future is definitely bright as the youngsters raised a few coaches’ eyebrows. Holly won her maiden County title as she stormed to victory in the opening race of the day. Both John and George were in the mix from the off, both finishing in the medals in what was probably the hottest contested race of the day.
Under 9
Cian Doyle
Andrew Norman
Paul Magee
Ruth O Reilly
Laura McCormack
Eabha Cribbon
Report- In the boys race Cian and Andrew had their own personal battle as they juggled positions through -out the race coming home second and third to earn medals with poor Paul caught on the line for the final prize.
Ruth showed great determination as she battled her way to her first individual prize as she powered home to fourth in her race, with Laura left devastated as losing out on a medal by inches.
Under 10
Leane Grogan
Catherine O Hanlon
Fionn O Reilly
Report- Another big field saw Catherine and Leane bumped around the course with Leane just holding off Catherine for the final medal spot.
Under 12
Kate Gormley
Sophie Brown
Elizabeth Comerford
Sinead Magee
Hannah Brown
Ciaran McCormack
Mathieu Kieffer
Dylan Ryan
Senan Howlin
Report- Kate who is under age again next year used her quick start to get her into position at the front of the field and looked strong as she medalled out of age, and will be a sub for a very talented Meath team heading to Abbotstown. All our girls were in the top third of the field and it was such a pity there was no team competition. As for the boys, they really impressed as Ciaran remains undefeated on the hills of Ballinacree to retain his county title. Maithieu held off Dylan for fourth to win automatic selection for the Meath team for the National Finals, leaving Dylan with a medal as a consolation prize.
Under 13
Rachael Norman
Report- Rachael was all alone in the biggest field of the day as over forty girls made their bid for the National Team in what is the only normal (non relay) cross country event at Abbotstown in May. Rachael kept with the early pace and was never under pressure to hold onto her automatic selection for the Meath team as she came home fourth.
Under 14
Aoife McCormack
Doireann Ni Fhlatharta
Report- Both girls were in good form with Doireann stretching here unbeaten run at this venue into an eight year, with Aoife also making the podium as she came home a comfortable third on this testing course.
Under 16
Sarah Magee
Report -Our sole competitor in the older age groups pushed the early pace was only push off top spot as they entered the home straight having to settle for a bronze in this County race.
Well done to all and a bit thank you to all who travelled. Apolises if anybody left out or is results are not accurate for your athlete – the author was double jobbing on Sunday
Please find the photos on the link below:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskQqrDB2
