Blazing Start to 2006
By Cecil Johnston

Tallaght Athletes blazed their way to the top of the podium on a number of fronts last weekend. On Sunday in the Dublin Mountains a number of our juvenile and senior athletes were on fire when taking top positions in the Irish Mountain Running Associations, Hellfire Winter Challenge at Killakee Woods. Despite our small numbers (7 seniors and 3 juveniles) in the field of over 140 competitors, our colours were prominently to the fore throughout the event.

Both Peter Fitzsimons and Aisling Johnston, mixing it with the seniors, showed their strength on the ascending section of the course that meandered through the Killakee Woods, climbing just below the Hellfire club and looping through the forestry at the top, until departing from the main field to return downhill to claim victory in the junior male and female categories. Carla Fullam was the second junior female finisher to cross the line.

Davy

Nilton

Desie

In the Senior section, Davy Byrne, in the process of transferring from Liffey Valley to Tallaght A.C., and Nilton Demorez both ran exceptionally strong, keeping close tabs on former National Marathon champion Gary Crossan throughout the contest, until the latter 1,000m when the Donegal man used his superior stamina to develop a gap and finish 14 seconds ahead of Davy, with Nilton back in third. Dessie Shorten was next to finish for the club in 8th (1st in the 0/50 category), with Alan Lawlor taking a very good 10th. Aaron Shorten was next in 14th and was followed across the line by Martin Haddock in 37th, with our only senior female competitor on the day Aileen Connolly also completing the course.

Alan

Aileen (0320, in blue)

Aaron

The previous day, Aidan Walsh, home on holiday from the States competed in the BHAA Cross Country event in Tymon Park, where he showed a clean pair of heels to Rathfarnhams, Paul Fleming and Mark Ryan. Ronan Kearns was next home for the club, with Niall Coppinger finishing next and claiming 2nd in the vet’s category.

Our juvenile athletes will next be competing in the 4th race of the Dublin Juvenile XC league series where a number of them are expected to retain their position at the top. This event is incorporated in the Clondalkin Cross Country Open at Corkagh Park next Sunday where we will also be competing to retain the overall trophy for the 3rd year in succession.