Tallaght Juveniles Deliver again in Dublin Championships

Following on from the successes of our competitors in the Dublin uneven age cross country in Santry last week our juveniles were again to the fore in the Dublin even age Championships in Marley Park on Sunday, where 8 of our competitors delivered some sound performances and secured qualification for the National Championships to be held at the Curragh on Sunday 25th November.

After securing her place on the Dublin U13 squad the previous week, Jade Johnston showed her true form in her own age group at U12 level, where she battled against a large field of competitors over 1,000m on a fairly testing and demanding course. Content to settle in about 15th position in the early exchanges, she worked her way through the large field of runners, gradually picking them off as the race progressed along the hilly section of the course on the second circuit , and with 350m remaining moved she moved into second, repelling a number of persistent challengers until she crossed the finish line to take a well deserved l silver medal in the U12 1,000m contest.

In contrast, in the boy’s U12 which was run over the same distance, Conor Murray strongly contested the lead from the start and despite his best efforts in chasing the eventual winner and pre race favourite DSD’s Patrick Elliott on his home ground, he also had to settle for silver, comfortably clear of the rest of the field. His efforts were doubly rewarded, as he led Aaron Conroy who claimed an individual medal for his excellent 10th placed finish, Sean Keane and Eoin Doherty, both stepping up a year, to claim team bronze medals and National qualification.

At under 14 degree, John Daly who led the U13 Tallaght team to silver medals the previous week also showed his good form when taking a medal after crossing the line 9th on completion of 1500m over a very testing circuit. He was followed home by Keith Doherty, debutant Lee Maher and Sean Mc Cabe whose combined efforts just left them short of bronze team medals, whilst Emma Morrin had another good run in the girls 1200m at the same age level.

Roisin O’ Hanlon bravely challenged a very competitive field of athletes for the full 2,000m at U16 degree. Lying 13th with 200m remaining, she put in a sustained sprint finish to secure the final qualifying place on the Dublin squad. Whilst the boy’s U16 had 2 circuits of the course run by the U14’s to complete, both Niall Meehan and Karl Arkins, although finishing down the field, did themselves justice against some quality opposition.

Peter Fitzsimons contested the U18 5,000 contest where he shared the lead for more than 2 circuits of the 3.5 circuit course, constantly battling throughout, he finally crossed the line in 5th to claim a deserved medal and place on the Dublin squad for the Nationals.

Photos Courtsey of Alan Mc Cabe

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