by Niamh McDaid
For those who might not know me, my name is Niamh Mc Daid and I joined Sportsworld in October 2021. I’m one of the latest Cork recruits to the club, boosting the Club’s Rebel representation – I’m feeling very at home in the red and white!
The 2022/2023 Meet & Train league began last Sunday after a hiatus of three years in the scenic and aptly-named Cowpark in Dunboyne, kindly hosted by Dunboyne A.C. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to test out my new spikes (co-opted from my sister who swore off cross-country after a singular race – a foreboding omen!). This was my very first cross-country race after being put through the gruelling paces by Emily and Myles at the Saturday morning cross country sessions over the last few weeks, and I’m now a total convert to the world of XC.
The race distance was 3km, and consisted of two 1.5km laps around the bovine field, which, in spite of its name, was relatively pleasant underfoot. Conditions on the day were almost-perfect – bright blue skies with just a little wind – you can’t have it all I suppose! Sportsworld fielded 4 of the 18 teams running on the day. The competition field consisted of teams from Blackrock AC, Donore Harriers, Lucan Harriers, Crusaders AC, Clonliffe Harriers, Esker AC, Brothers Pearse, Waterstown Warriors and Love2Run.
Emily, Myles, Jim and Anne-Marie provided the shouts of encouragement en-route, as well as their best efforts to snap everyone’s mid-race mugshots! Post-race refreshments (and spot-prizes!) were gladly consumed in Dunboyne AC’s clubhouse, with a generous spread of tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes.
Phenomenal performances were recorded by all of the Sportsworld ladies, so well done to all and a special congratulations to our own Aoife Carroll who brought home first-place glory to Terenure with a great time of 12:59. Sportsworld Team A are now sitting pretty at second in the League, with another 3 races to go.
Thanks to all the organisers and coaches, especially to Ann-Marie who made sure the day ran smoothly by collecting everyone’s numbers and diligently recording the results post-race. Looking forward to an exciting few races over the course of the League!
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