Whilst most of us were partying away this weekend some of our hardy souls were on the water and odd 7 up as they prepared themselves for what is the toughest race on the Irish race calendar, the National Senior Inter Club Cross Country Championships. The race, switched from this year from its February date, draws on the countries top athletes and also acts as a Euro qualifier for those championships which take place in early December.
Conditions were relatively ok as cross country goes, it was sticky, here was a strong enough breeze to run into at times but the rain held off and the ground didn’t churn up too much given the racing that took place prior to the men and women’s races.
Our Juveniles put in some great performances early in the day and set the tone for more to come from our older crew.
In the women’s race we had Sara, Emilia and Eva in action over the 8k distance.
Sara came home for this one and given her 5th place finish in Dundalk at the Euro qualifier, she would have had her sights set on a similar target this year. The first three spots are automatic qualifiers for the Euro’s whilst selectors have to choose how to fill the remaining spots on the team. Whilst Sara’s 9th spot finish today may have been lower than what she was hoping for we’re hopeful that selectors will be cognisant of how Sara stepped up to the mark in Samokov, and indeed at the preceding seven euro XC’s and that she still has a big part to play in a strong Irish ladies team.
Captain Fantastic Emilia Dan stepped up to the mark when it counted most today, and ran excellently, finishing well up the top half of the stacked field, in 51st place altogether, looking comfortable as she always does.
Not more than ten places behind Emilia was Eva McNeilis. Eva was flying this time last year as she won the Meath Inter title and she’s week on week returning to that excellent form, proving so today with a very strong run, again to finish well up in the front half of the field.
Unfortunately the Club were short one runner today, which would’ve seen them score well in Division B of the Club competition.
We’d a full team in the men’s race with Loughlin, Rory, Phelim and Derek taking to Santry to represent us over the 10k course.
Loughlin has been in good form of late, knocking out an excellent leg for Trinity at the IUAA relays last weekend and sure enough he produced the goods today with a 52nd place finish among good company.
Not far behind Loughlin was Rory who has again progressed from his fine run at the AAI Open Cross last month, and both himself and Loughlin are sure to play a part in a strong National Novice team with Luke Forder coming back into the fold in two weeks time.
Stalwart Phelim, fresh off the back of his green vest and silver medal at last weekends Home Nations International had a solid run, even managing to take a couple of places on the finishing straight.
Derek Finegan stopped his road flats for spikes following his 2:51 Dublin marathon. Our ex NCAA man has been a super signing for the Club, and he showed he’s still got the goods at the Nationals today, fourth man home and all finishing well up in the field.
A fantastic result for the team, Dunboyne AC were 2nd men’s team in Division C.
Well done to everyone who ran today, tough going out there.
