There was a ladies 3K and men’s 6K for the Dublin masters. We have a race report first from Deirdre O’Connell and then Tom Kinsella.
For me, nothing beats cross country for getting to know your fellow club mates. Be that from the profile photos on the Ladies XC Whatsapp Group as I identified a few names to faces I’ve come to know (and chuckled at the unladylike of all questions being asked of said ladies, “Are you over 35 or 40, or 45?!”), to shouting in support of the Men’s race after our own slog was done. Naoise, standing beside me, would shout, Go Derrick, and I’d duly shout, Go
The day was smashing for a number of reasons. Many dry weeks beforehand, a few weeks ravaged with Christmas excess which would fuel the race, a surprisingly balmy day weather wise, a relatively short spin to St. Anne’s Raheny, and nearly 500 competitors in the biggest ever Dublin Masters field. I reckon each runner brought three more people too, as the crowds the entire way around our short 3K course were immense. And with a huge contingent of Sportsworlders, including many non-runners only there to support the rest of us, the mood was great.
22 of Sportsworld’s finest ladies slotted right into the massive field of 225 Dublin Masters. I’m too new to it to get involved in discussion on whether to have worn the spikes or not, I just put mine on, though I could have washed them since the mud carnage of Navan in mid December. Note to self.
Turns out 3K is a lovely short distance, my
The Sportsworld ladies did very well. A call out and welcome back to Crona Brady, back after some time. The dream team of Noreen Brouder, Catherine Bambrick and Ruth Kelly came in second, to Raheny. “Would Raheny do it so well off their home turf? Come to Bushy and we’ll see!” hollered a Mayo born / Ennis bound Sportsworlder.
Well done everyone. You can’t beat that craic. Roll on Kilkenny.
| 2 | Noreen BROUDER | 00:11:46 | 172 | F (2) |
| 8 | Catherine BAMBRICK | 00:12:10 | 170 | F (8) |
| 9 | Ruth KELLY | 00:12:17 | 182 | F (9) |
| 13 | Mary FINN | 00:12:36 | 178 | F (13) |
| 20 | Maura GINTY | 00:12:51 | 181 | F (20) |
| 29 | Naoise WALDREN | 00:13:02 | 189 | F (29) |
| 41 | Patricia FITZMAURICE | 00:13:25 | 180 | F (41) |
| 48 | Deirdre O CONNELL | 00:13:36 | 187 | F (48) |
| 58 | Crona BRADY | 00:13:50 | 185 | F (58) |
| 79 | Eileen BUTLER | 00:14:22 | 173 | F (79) |
| 86 | Eileen ROWLAND | 00:14:34 | 200 | F (86) |
| 99 | Martina NOLAN JONES | 00:14:44 | 186 | F (99) |
| 107 | Rosie MULHERN | 00:14:53 | 176 | F (107) |
| 110 | Anne SWEENEY | 00:14:55 | 201 | F (110) |
| 127 | Siobhan CLARKE | 00:15:03 | 195 | F (127) |
| 134 | Ann HIGGINS | 00:15:10 | 196 | F (134) |
| 148 | Marie BRADLEY | 00:15:24 | 184 | F (148) |
| 149 | Maria FINNEGAN | 00:15:27 | 179 | F (149) |
| 164 | Ellen LAVIN | 00:15:55 | 194 | F (164) |
| 172 | Bronwyn MURPHY WHITE | 00:16:18 | 192 | F (172) |
| 176 | Sandra GOWRAN | 00:16:26 | 191 | F (176) |
| 179 | Aileen MELODY | 00:16:37 | 197 | F (179) |
The first cross country race of the year in St.Annes Park, Raheny always has a great turnout and so it proved last Sunday with massive numbers from Sportsworld involved as well as some fantastic support from the younger runners in the club (your time will come).
The conditions were dry and the ground fairly firm so this was an ‘easy’ home run of a race by all accounts – rubbish. Cross country doesn’t do easy!
Just a decision on what length spikes to wear so the track spikes it was.
After the ladies blazing run which should be covered (above/below) it was over to the men.
The course is 6km (4 loops of 1,500m) with 5 turns, two concrete paths to cross(great for the spikes) and a log to hurdle.
There’s great banter at the start of the race when all age categories and levels are treated as equals but that ends as soon as the whistle is sounded and the elbows extended(the drone footage shows all).
As it was my second ever cross country race I decided to start conservatively, probably too much so which I was reminded of by Noreen on the first lap.
The aim was just to enjoy it as much as possible and acknowledge the ‘supportive’ comments from the familiar faces dotted all along the route. (high fives from Maria after the log jump an annual favourite!)
I stuck in behind Peter Knaggs for the majority of the race and overtaking a few runners along the way, thanks Peter!
After the team photos it was over to the clubhouse for tea/coffee and biscuits as the awards were presented.
There were some excellent individual running and the Sportsworld women and men first teams both got brilliant silvers!
Well done to everyone on the day and thanks to Emily and Myles for making it all possible.
For parking I’d recommend two
If you have to head after the race Watermill Lawn just off Watermill Road and right beside the start line has lots of parking.
To make it easier when leaving after the presentations, park near Raheny GAA which is a 10-15 minute walk from the start line.
| Place | Name |
| 3 | Karol CRONIN |
| 5 | Gareth MURRAN |
| 16 | Andrew BRETT |
| 17 | Phil KILGANNON |
| 23 | Karl CHATTERTON |
| 28 | Michael CUNNINGHAM |
| 36 | Brian BYRNE |
| 40 | Bruce CAMPBELL |
| 43 | Kevin CURRAN |
| 72 | Ronan MASTERSON |
| 83 | Will MARTIN SMITH |
| 100 | Justin MCKEEVER |
| 122 | Karl SHEVLIN |
| 137 | Padraig LOOBY |
| 144 | Ed MCENTEE |
| 157 | Johnny DWYER |
| 162 | Joe BYRNE |
| 163 | Brian CONWAY |
| 164 | Mark HEFFERNAN |
| 165 | Jose CHAPA |
| 170 | Noel TOBIN |
| 172 | Liam LENEHAN |
| 182 | Declan BRADY |
| 210 | Jim BROWNE |
| 218 | Aidan CURRAN |
| 224 | Peter KNAGGS |
| 225 | Thomas KINSELLA (lapped runner) |
| 234 | Paul HAMILTON |
| 236 | Noel LYNAM |
| 237 | Derrick LONG |
| 252 | Michael NIXON |
| 2 | Ray Carpenter (M65) |
You must be logged in to post a comment.