Well Done

Well done to our young athletes who did so well in the National Cross Country Championships over the last few weeks.

Following on from National even age Championships at the Curragh on 25th November where Tallaght juveniles athletes of the year Conor Murray and Jade Johnston won team Silver and Bronze medals for the Capital in the U12 1,000m contests, the club had 15 competitors involved in the uneven age Championships at St Augustine’s College Dungarvan Co Waterford on 16th December last.

Checking out the course at St Augustine’s Dungarvan in December

Evan Flynn who first to toe the line on the day and he was determined to do well in his own age group after his good run at the Curragh at U12 level. Lining up with almost 150 competitors in the U11 800m contest, he took up position in the top 30, which he maintained until the final 250m where he began his quest for a medal and succeeded with a sustained sprint over the final 150m, crossing the line in 12th of the 131 finishers to claim the final individual medal in this age category. He was followed home by Eoin Doherty, Sean Keane and Ronan Mc Eneaney.

Evan Flynn – Individual medallist at Dungarvan

Jade Johnston was another stepping up in age and distance and whilst she didn’t add to her collection she ran a creditable race, finishing in the mid division of the large field of almost 130 runners, whilst Conor Murray, also stepping up in the boy’s U13 1200m added another team medal to his growing collection when featuring as the 6th runner home on the Dublin silver medal winning team. John Daly also had a good run, crossing the line 36th of the 123 finishers and he was followed home by debutante Keith Doherty, Sean Mc Cabe, Aaron Conroy and Lee Maher, who was also contesting his first National Championships.

Roisin O’ Hanlon contested the U17 3k contest and despite conceding age, had a good run to finish in the top 40’s in what was a very competitive contest.
At U19 level Tallaght had three competitors with Anthony Liegio’s 21st placing contributing to Dublin securing both the Inter Co and Regional team gold medals, with Peter Fitzsimons well up to the mark with a very good 30th, despite conceding a year and stepping up in distance and he was followed home by Luke Coleman who was more than pleased with his performance and 37th placing on the day.

Anthony Lieghio – double team gold medallist at Dungarvan

Elsewhere, Tracy Williams made the long journey home from Iona College in the States to contest the National qualifiers for the European Cross Country Championships at the Curragh and she duly obliged with an excellent 19th placing in the senior event, and as the 5th finisher at U23 degree was selected to represent Ireland in that category in the Europeans which were held in Toro, Spain on the 9th December last. Unfortunately she had to retire mid way through the contest. However, she will no doubt have gained from the experience and will be challenging next year for her first senior placing.

Photos – Courtesy of John Denny