There were some fine displays of running from
Tallaght athletes at the Dublin Uneven Age and Senior Cross Country
Championships at Santry Demesne on Sunday last.
In the Juvenile events Jade Johnston, after her good run in the U12
contest a few weeks earlier, ran to form in the U11 800m contest.
Leading the large field for most of the way she had to settle for silver
when passed in the final 40metres. Jade was followed home by teammates,
Emma Reid, Jennifer Grant and Emily Morris.
In the boy’s equivalent, Conor Murray, qualifier for the U12 Nationals,
also ran superbly, but despite his gallant efforts all the way to the
finish line, he had to settle for 4th place medal, but like Jade was
rewarded with a place on the Dublin County and Regional teams for the
National Championships, to be held in Athlone in December.
Both Jade Corcoran and Roisin O’ Hanlon both contested the U15 1500m
contest and in a field that included some quality opposition the fight
for places for the Nationals was always going to be tough. However, they
bravely fought throughout with Jade crossing the finish line in 8th,
securing qualification. Unfortunately, Roisin got boxed in early in the
contest and despite her efforts found it hard to make up the lost
ground, finishing a few places outside of the qualifying positions.
In the boy’s U15 contest, our only representative, William Oliver,
although finishing down the field, ran gallantly to complete the 2,000m.
At U17 level, we had a squad of 4 girl’s and 4 boys who had to race over
2,000m and 3,000m respectively. In the girl’s contest Aisling Johnston,
stepping up a year, crossed the line in 7th position to claim a medal
and qualification for the Nationals, with Aoibheann Tierney next, just a
few places outside the qualifiers, followed by Rebecca Game, like
Aisling stepping up a year and Carla Fullam completing the quartet.
Between them they secured the bronze team medals and qualification for
the Iter clubs category in the Nationals.
With 3 of the four boys, Brian Connolly, Eoghan Hennessey and Colm Oman
stepping up a year their task was somewhat tougher, but as the race
progressed they were in contention for team honors. Unfortunately, with
less than 1k remaining Peter Fitzsimons, in excellent form recently,
whilst well to the fore and the leading Tallaght athlete, had to retire
with soreness in the hip area, and although the chances of team medals
were gone, the others carried on in the hope of securing individual
selection, with Brian Connolly first to cross the line, finishing only 2
places outside the qualifying positions. He was followed home by Colm
Oman who gradually picked off tired runners, all the way to the finish
line, with Eoghan Hennessey behind him
The U19 and Junior contests brought further success to Tallaght with
both Anthony Lieghio (stepping up a year) and Bronagh O’ Hanlon securing
qualification in their respective 6k and 4k contests, where Luke
Coleman, like Anthony conceding a year, finishing a few places outside
the medals.
In the senior men’s 10,000m contest, Davy Byrne was first to cross the
line for Tallaght followed by Nilton Demorez, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Mark
Byrne, James Crowley and Junior David Somerville who stepped up, in the
absence of a number of senior runners, in the hope of securing team
honours, which unfortunately, despite their combined efforts, did not
materialize.
There was further good news for the club after the official results of
the National Marathon were confirmed. In addition to Lisa Myles Dannes
excellent run as the 3rd Irish lady to finish in the senior category,
the results showed, she was also the first to finish in the National
masters category, and combined with Deirdre Pitts and Anna King, they
were 2nd in the National team category and the first Dublin ladies team
to finish.
In the mens, Niall Copppinger was the 9th Irishman to finish overall and
3rd in the Masters category, with Colm Barcoe and Frank Ferguson
combining to finish 8th in the National senior team category, and the
2nd Dublin team to finish, whilst Niall also led home Frank Ferguson and
Gerry O’ Brien to 7th team position in the National Masters category and
2nd Dublin team to finish.
Next competition for our athletes will be the National Juvenile Even Age
Cross Country Championships in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, on Sunday 26th
November, where John Daly, and Conor Murray, both U12, Brian Connolly,
Aisling Johnston and Roisin O’ Hanlon, U16, and Aoibheann Tierney, Peter
Fitzsimons, Anthony Lieghio and Luke Coleman, all U18, will be
representing the County and Regional teams in the hunt for individual
and team medals.