The North Down ladies had a strong lineup at the season ending Senior cross country, this time staged at the Gransha grounds Londonderry. And they didn’t disappoint, winning the team event ahead of quality opposition.
First home was Jessica Craig, making a welcome return to the cross country scene. Jessica led the 3 lap race throughout alongside City of Derry Spartans’ Catherine Whoriskey with the latter winning the race in the last 200m.
Katie Moore rounded off a successful season with a great run finishing off in 6th and Melissa Eccles looked well in control to finish 12th while Erin McConnell completed the team of 4 in 13th spot.
Interestingly the North Down club always has a good turnout of runners attending this venue, normally the week before Christmas when the mens and ladies races are run simultaneously. The ladies once again turned out in force and provided ample support to the leading 4. Fiona McQuillan and Rachel Gibson returned in 17th and 18th with a short gap before Clair Quigley 21st, Chloe Verner 23rd and Lindsay Doulton 24th.
Julie Wilson who has been training well recently was hindered by a dose of sinusitis but still managed a strong return in 34th, Helen Byers not far behing in 40th. Team Captain Claire Scott 44th and Cara Jeffrey 55th were next with the ND representation completed with Paula Simpson 65th and Hannah Dunne 73rd.
The team result was an emphatic win for the ladies totalling 33 points to 2nd place Newcastle with 60 points and hosts City of Derry Spartans 3rd with 78 points.
By the time the men had completed their 6 laps they had wished they had been running alongside the ladies on their 3 lap venture. 12k was the designated distance with the Garmins quoting 7.6 miles. A lead group of around 12 runners meandered their way around the course for the first 3 laps and then it started to string out. Craig McMeechan was in this group and as the pace quickened in the 2nd half he found himself hanging on at the back. A strong last two laps accounted for a few positive moves in position as the ND athlete showed strength to complete in 5th place.
Sean McLaughlin continued his consistent racing when finishing 26th followed by Jamie McMeechan claiming 37th. A close grouping of 4 were next in, Dale Murray 41st, Gareth Watton 43rd, Jamie Coulter-Smyth 44th and Francis Marsh 45th.
Dennis Scott, feeling a tad under the weather, managed to make it round in 58th. Chris Moran and Steven Donegan worked together and finished in 67th and 68th with another pairing, Philip Mulligan and Colin Walker trading places before Philip with a glorious sense of victory, won the private battle, 78th and 83rd. Alan Massey had a steady run as he crossed the line in 88th.
The ND lads finished in 4th place with the team result.
This rounded off a successful cross country season for the club. Hopefully both the ladies and mens teams will claim podium finishes in the league after this race.
Every race in this season’s league has been well attended by the club. This in no doubt is due to the great skills of the team Captains, Claire Scott and Steven Donegan. It will be fitting for both of them to see their teams finish in the prizes as the league is completed.
http://Results2022-NI&UlsterSeniorXC.xls