Saturday, February 26th
Santry Demesne – The Athletics Association of Ireland Woodies DIY National Inter Clubs Cross Country Championships were held in Santry Demense Dublin on Saturday on an excellent cross country course with some patches of heavy underfoot conditions. There was a strong breeze with sunny spells and scattered showers.
A small field of six teams assembled for the women’s race, with all the big stars missing. UK based Ava Hutchinson from Dundrum South Dublin (DSD) was a clear winner. She also led her team home to a narrow five point victory over Raheny Shamrocks. DSD completed a clean sweep of team titles on the day, winning all junior and senior male and female races.
Our seven Sportsworld girls, led home by Jean, gave their best over the eight kilometre course, and were rewarded with bronze medals. Well done girls.
In the mens race, Joe Sweeney from DSD made all the running from the start. This came two weeks after running a 30 kilometre road race in Holland in 94 minutes. Garry Thornton from Galway City Harriers was the only athlete to put him under pressure for the first three laps out of seven, and he paid a heavy price over the final four laps to drop off the pace. Joe Sweeney won easily in (38mins . 42secs) from his club mate Breandán O Neill.
Our men, led home by Phil, didn’t disgrace themselves either at this pinnacle level of Irish competition, coming 13th out of 21 teams and thus maintaining their A status for another year.
That night most people that ran, along with other club mates, socialised at Toast in Rathmines and later The Globe on George’s St, glad that the hardship of cross country and the winter were finished for another year.
Woodie’s DIY National Inter Club Cross Country Championships Santry Demesne
Pos Athlete Club Finish
1 Hutchinson, Ava Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 00:29:17
2 Kelly, Eilish Raheny Shamrock A.C. 00:29:50
3 Ganiel-O’Neill, Gladys Abbey A.C. 00:29:56
16 Wilson, Jean Sportsworld A.C. 00:31:46
19 Darcy, Lucy Sportsworld A.C. 00:32:48
20 Brady, Aoife Sportsworld A.C. 00:32:52
24 Brady, Crona Sportsworld A.C. 00:33:27
25 White, Helen Sportsworld A.C. 00:33:43
26 O’Callaghan, Mairead Sportsworld A.C. 00:33:59
27 Bergin, Stephanie Sportsworld A.C. 00:34:43
1 DSD 1,7,9,10 = 27
2 Raheny Shamrocks 2,4,12,14 = 32
3 Sportsworld 16,19,20,24 = 79
Pos Athlete Club Finish
1 Sweeney, Joseph Dundrum South Dublin 00:38:40
2 O’Neill, Breandán Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 00:39:36
3 Clohissey, Mick Raheny Shamrock A.C. 00:39:42
41 Phil Kilgannon Sportsworld A.C. 00:43:28
56 Paul O’Connell Sportsworld A.C. 00:44:30
65 Paul Duffy Sportsworld A.C. 00:45:19
101 Merrick, Ronan Sportsworld A.C. 00:48:16
103 Murran, Gareth Sportsworld A.C. 00:48:32
113 Cronin, Karol Sportsworld A.C. 00:51:11 (timing error, real time 45:2X)
1 DSD
1,2,8,14 = 25
2 Raheny 3,4,15,25 = 47
3 Clonliffe 6,12,13,29 = 60
4 Ferrybank 23,31,32,34 = 120
5 Rathfarnham WSAF 9,43,46,47 = 145
6 Donore Harriers 11,35,40,64 = 150
7 East Cork 17,22,52,72 = 163
8 Galway City Harriers 5,41,68,78 = 192
9 St Malachy’s 16,38,58,85 = 197
10 An Riocht 39,44,66,96 = 245
11 Tullamore Harriers 49,65,61,87 = 252
12 Togher 53,57,74,77 = 261
13 Sportsworld 42,56,65,100 = 263
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