National Novice and Intermediate Cross Country Championships: Mud, Medals & Missing Shoes
The National Novice and Intermediate Cross Country Championships brought Sportsworld to Abbottstown on Sunday, and after what felt like three straight years of rain, the big question on everyone’s mind was: how deep would the mud be?
Those who survived December’s National Novice still hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma, so news that the organisers shortened the races by 1km and built the whole thing around a 1km lap was greeted with cautious optimism. And to their great credit — the organizers even sanded the spectator areas. Truly above and beyond.
But make no mistake: it was still a proper mud‑fest.
Masters Ladies – Setting the tone A surprisingly sunny spell greeted the Masters Ladies as they toed the line for their 3km race. The race blasted off at a frantic pace before the mud tapped everyone on the shoulder and said, “Not so fast.”
Lisa Madden stormed her way to an incredible 4th place, leading the charge. Noreen Brouder and Elaine Kennedy rolled in 16th and 17th. Aoife O’Leary dug deep through the sludge for 41st to close out the scoring.
Strong backing performances came from Caroline Conway, Crona Clohisey, Deirdre O’Connell and Sinead Staunton. The O50 squad packed a punch of their own — led by Louise Bruton and supported by Anna Delaney, Lucy D’Arcy, Olive Fogarty and Martina Nolan Jones to take 6th place.
Not long after, rumours started flying around that the O35 team might have nabbed a medal. Then confirmation arrived: SPORTSWORLD – NATIONAL O35 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS!
Masters Men – Mud, Grit & Gallant Efforts Next up were the Masters men, and the lads threw themselves at the course with gusto.
The O35 team of Ian Comeford, Karl Chatterton, Adam Furlong, Dave Fitzpatrick, Michael Cunningham, Paul O’Connell, David Saunders and Brian Conway battled hard for 11th. The O50 men finished 9th, with Bruce Campbell leading the troops home, followed by Anthony Gillen, Paul MacGabhann and Bernard Jones.
Intermediate Ladies – Determined, Dynamic & Down a Shoe Our Intermediate ladies were out in force, finishing 6th with a brilliant team display.
Roisin McMahon powered in first for the club, followed by Michelle and Veronica Burke, Niamh O’Keeffe, Lorna Sheehan, Megan Walls, Katie Nugent and Majella Hayden.
Special shout‑out to Lorna, who lost a shoe on lap one and simply kept running. Cross country spirit defined.
Intermediate Men – Rain? What Rain? Just as the men lined up, the sky decided the course wasn’t wet enough and opened up in dramatic fashion. But the Sportsworld lads proved allergic to excuses and ploughed on to finish 6th.
Dylan Keegan led the squad home, with strong runs from David Hannafin, Colm Murphy, Niall Carden, Donal Brennan, Tom Kelleher, Evan Ryan and David Madden.
All in All… A Brilliant Day Out Yes, we came home national champions. Yes, we fielded six full, competitive teams. And yes, somehow there were Sportsworld shouts everywhere on the course — even in the muddy bits no spectator should logically choose to stand in.
Huge thanks, as always, to Emily, Aileen, Myles, Paul and Adam. Without your coaching, planning and general wizardry, none of us would be out there collecting mud, memories and medals.
Roll on next year!
