Juvenile Cross Country Season Starts In Earnest
By Cecil Johnston

The Dublin Juvenile Cross Country season started in earnest last Sunday in Newbridge House, Donabate, where more than 20 Tallaght A.C. athletes competed in the first of a series of 6 cross country fixtures.

With most of our competitors achieving their initial goal of finishing in the top twenty, and registering points in the process, was a very encouraging outcome, particularly for the new members who were encountering their first cross country competition.

In the U10 girls 500m Chloe, Angela Prior and Emma Reid were pleased with their performances and all are looking forward to their next race.

Both Killian Morris and Adam Prior contested a very competitive U11 event and did well to finish in the top 20, as did Grace Kristensen in the U12 800m, despite her lack of fitness at this stage in the season.

In the U13 girls category Annmarie Mc Clean, Robyn Reece, Zara Gaynor and Emma Prior all accumulated points by finishing well up in the large field of competitors and in the boys category, Paul Byrne recorded a very good 5th placing in his first cross country league event. Christopher Delaney and Sean Fitzsimons followed him home.

At U14 level Roisin O’ Hanlon showed she will be a major contender in the upcoming Dublin Championships in a few weeks time, when she finished a very strong 4th place. She was followed home by Ciara O’ Leary. Whilst in the boys category, William Oliver was first home for the club, followed by Phillip Kelly.
                          
The U15 category produced the first win of the day for Tallaght when Aisling Johnston broke the tape in the 1200m contest with Rebecca Game finishing a very encouraging 4th. In the boys 1500m event Leigh Bolger, Brian Connolly and Niall Forrester, all finished in the top 10, with new club member Stuart Kelly next home. The combined finishing positions for the first three was enough to secure the only gold team medals for the club on the day. 

At U16 level, Aoibheann Tierney and Carla Fullam both recorded points when finishing in the top 10. The final athlete to compete for the club on the day was David Somerville and he secured his place at the top of the leader board with a win in the U19 4,000m.

Next up for the juveniles will be the 2nd league race, in Griffeen Park, Lucan on Sunday 16th October at 11am and the following week in Cabinteely Park we will have a large contingent of athletes contesting the Dublin uneven age Championships, where they will be seeking to qualify for the National Championships.

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