Irish National Cross Country Championships

For the first time the new purpose built cross country course at Abbotstown, Dublin was used for the conclusion to the regional “even” age group races and the National championships.

We had several of our younger athletes involved in their respective age group races and the ladies put up a team in their race.

Hollie Massey was our first runner home in the U12 girls coming in 35^th place followed by Niamh Fenlon, 54^th. We had 3 runners in the girls U14 race where Megan Briggs was 36^th, Tara McDonough 70^th and Ellie Gordon 147^th. Thomas Patterson was our only boy in the U16 race where he made a good run at it finishing 33^rd.

The best result of the day came from Murphy Miller in the U16 girls where she ran to her full potential to take 4^th place, beating the girl who she was runner up to at the Ulster evens. Next in was Jessica Scott returning in 46^th before Caitlyn Turner, 86^th, Alisha Turner 109^th and Anna Scott, 124^th rounded up the North Down team who finished 5^th overall.

Nia McNally was our sole runner in the U18 girls finishing in 72^nd spot and then Craig McMeechan was our sole athlete in the U18 boys. Leading the race going into the last of 3 laps Craig suddenly felt weak and nausea overcame him, it was an achievement to cross the finishing line in 8^th place. Lessons to be learned – don’t race while on antibiotics. Small comfort afterwards that Craig was selected as first reserve for the Irish junior mens team for the forthcoming Euro XC in Italy.

In the Womens senior race we had a strong representation. Jessica Craig led the ladies home in 23^rd position closely followed by Rachel Gibson in 30^th. Katie Moore was next in 47^th a minute later and then Melissa Eccles made a return to racing to claim 76^th spot, ten places ahead of Sarah Lindsay in 86^th. This performance was rewarded with a team win in the B category which also means an A listing for next years’ races. Well done girls.

  

Irish National Championships & Even age groups