Tallaght Juvenile Athletes still in contention in Cross Country Leagues
By Cecil Johnston

Griffeen Park, Lucan was the venue for the second round of the Dublin Juvenile Cross Country League last Sunday, where many of our juveniles put in some sound running performances to maintain their position in the league tables.

Jade Johnston, despite missing the first league race, showed she will be a threat to the league leaders with an emphatic win in the U10 600m contest, leading Emma Reid, Chloe Voyles, Angela Prior and Megan Delaney to claim the bronze team medals.

In the U11 800m contest, Killian Morris and Adam Prior finished well up in the large field of competitors to maintain their mid rankings in the league table, whilst in the U12 1,000m Grace Kristensen put in another sound effort to finish in 12th place. She was followed home by Allana who put in a sound effort in her first cross country race.

The boys U13 1200m event, Paul Byrne, Christopher Delaney and Sean Fitzsimons all combined well to secure the bronze team medals, with Paul maintaining his 5th place in the individual rankings. The U13 girls 1,000m contest had the largest number of competitors on the day, with Annmarie Mc Clean finishing first for the club in 9th, with Emma Prior, Robyn Reece and Zara Gaynor following her home.

Jade Corcoran contested the U14 category, and despite leading the field for almost 1,000m, unfortunately ran out of steam in the last few hundred and had to settle for 3rd, she was followed home by Roisin O’ Hanlon who put in another sound performance in 5th. In the boys 1500m contest in the same age category, William Oliver and Phillip Kelly both ran bravely to finish their race.

Jade & Roisin

William

At U15 level Aisling Johnston crossed the line clear of the field in the 1500m event to maintain her 1st place ranking, with Rebecca Game running another very good race to finish 4th and also retain her high league position. In the boys 2,000m Eoghan Hennessey, in his first outing of the season ran a very encouraging race to finish 4th and was followed home by Leigh Bolger, Brian Connolly and Niall Forrester, all who finished in the top ten, and did enough to take the team silver medals, with Stewart Kelly completing the race a few places further back.

Aisling & Rebecca

Eogha

Both Aoibheann Tierney and Carla Fullam had good runs in the U16 2000m, with Aoibheann contesting the lead throughout the contest, finishing a good 4th with Carla taking 9th.

Aoibheann

Carla

At U18 level Bronagh O’ Hanlon recorded a good win in her first contest of the cross country season, whilst David Somerville ran out a clear winner in the U19 category, retaining his top ranking.

Next Sunday, Cabinteely Park is the venue for the Dublin eneven age Cross Country Championships for U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 athletes and Tallaght will have almost 50 competitors, including many who have not raced to date, but who have been training hard in preparation for this important event, where they will be vying for individual honours and the chance to represent both club and County at the National Finals next month in Sligo. We wish all our competitors the best of luck on the day.

Pictures – Courtesy of John Denny

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