In the Gerry Farnan cross country race at a windswept Phoenix Park, Sportsworld competitors embraced the very difficult conditions to turn out some heroic performances. As the race serves as a trial for the annual veterans (IMAA) Celtic 4 Nations cross country international (to be held in Wales this year), seniors and juniors really just compete for personal pride. For many veterans it serves as the target race of the cross country season with athletes traveling from all corners of the island.
In 30 mph winds (though a dry course with nice autumn sun), the girls were first to face the music. Won easily by Wicklow’s Olympian the class Fionnuala Britton, Aoife Brady & Eimear Martin were a brilliant 12th & 20th respectively. Both athletes have improved massively this year, with the former’s strong work ethic of 70 mile weeks combined with a full time job giving her immense strength. Both ought to be very proud
However Carol Lynch and Helen White were the biggest success story for the girls as Carols 3rd place in W60 and Helens 4th place in W40 means that they are on the trip to Wales. Well done Carol and Helen.
The men’s race was equally tough but Mullingar’s Mark Christie made easy work of it winning the 5 mile cross country in 25.12. However the day belongs to Ed McEntee who battled all the way to secure a place on the M40 Ireland team. To the best of the author’s knowledge it’s the 1st time a man from our club has earned a green vest in any event. What makes the performance so much better is that like Jakub Splawski, he runs the Dublin Marathon next week. This would have been on the back of Ed’s mind throughout the race. Indeed there were other quality veterans watching the event that didn’t race it because of the marathon next week. Well done again Ed, you’ve done your club proud.
Other senior males that also ran were Packie Enright, Paul Duffy, Jakub Splawski & James Shanahan. All put in decent displays and the event will stand to them for the upcoming Dublin Senior and National Novice cross country races before Christmas.
Race report by
Packie Macionnrachtaigh
Place
Name
Club
Time
Category
1
Mark Christie
Mullingar Harriers
25.12
Senior
1 (18)
Mick Traynor
Raheny Shamrocks
26:57
O/40
2 (39)
Tommy McElwain
SBR
28.15
O/40
3 (55)
Ed McEntee
Sportsworld
29:20
O/40
56
Packie Macionnrachtaigh
Sportsworld
29:26
Senior
79
Paul Duffy
Sportsworld
31:23
Senior
96
Jakub Splawski
Sportsworld
34:28
Senior
104
James Shanahan
Sportsworld
36:53
Senior
Gerry Farnan results 2008
Men 5m
Gerry Farnan results 2008
Women 3m
Place
Name
Club
Time
Category
1
Fionnuala Britton
Sli Cualann
16:56
Senior
12
Aoife Brady
Sportsworld
18:06
Senior
1 (17)
Mary Hanley
Na Fianna
18:24
O/40
20
Eimear Martin
Sportsworld
18:38
Senior
2 (22)
Carmel Crowley
Bandon AC
18:50
O/40
3 (25)
Orla Gormley
Raheny Shamrocks
19:23
O/40
4 (27)
Helen White
Sportsworld
19:33
O/40
1 (51)
Joan Coyle
DSD AC
22:33
O/60
2 (53)
Evelyn McNelis
Naas A.C.
23:04
O/60
3 (55)
Carol Lynch
Sportsworld
24:42
O/60
