National Even Aged Cross Country Championships

EVENT DATE - Sun  17/11//13
Venues - Santry Demense.
Time - 11:30
Uploaded by Garrett Moylan, based on Nenagh Guardian notes by PRO Ray Deering
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Sunday saw the National Even Age Cross Country Championships held in Santry on what turned out to be a very pleasant day with the races run on a very flat, fast course. We had six athletes in action and they all did well in their races which were of a very high standard where, once the gun went, it was fast running all the way to the finish regardless of the race distance.

Ted Collins was our first athlete to take to the course when competing in the boys u12 race and he did us proud. Up with a large leading group after a strong start, Ted ran very well throughout and came home in 21st place to be the 6th qualifying runner for the Munster team which finished second province thus ensuring a first All Ireland Cross Country medal for Ted and none more deserving.

Last week I (Ray) was perhaps a little hard on Alannah Deering and this week I must eat humble pie following her 23rd place finish in the u14 girls race over 3000m. Alannah recovered from a very physical start which saw her way down the field but she showed great courage and determination to make up the lost ground and well done to her.

Ciara Cummins had the best performance of her cross country season so far when finishing 15th in a very good u18 race. Running against the junior women, Ciara was always to the fore and was strong throughout the race which is a great sign of things to come from her. Aoife Deering had a good run when finishing 37th in the same race and will know that she has more to offer with some hard work.

In the boys u17 race, Killian Cullagh got off to a flyer and was right up with the leaders on the first lap but the high pace took its toll and Killian finished in 31st place but a good run none the less. Niall McIntyre, also in this race, finished in 46th place and looked much stronger than in previous races which bodes well for him.

Well done to all our athletes who competed over the weekend, firstly for getting to this level and secondly for performing so well.