As I sat last Sunday bemoaning the fact that I had nothing to write about for a change, little did I know that one of our members had made the podium at the All Ireland Indoor Championships in the magnificent new arena in Athlone. In his first ever outing in an indoor competition and with nothing to compare with he ran a magnificently judged race in the Over 35 Men's 3K over 15 laps of the track to take a superb 3rd place and claim the Bronze medal. This was the culmination of a season in which he has regularly improved his times, earning him the award of Most Improved Male Athlete in the club, and comes just 2 weeks after Benny Teer claimed the NI and Ulster Junior cross country title in Lurgan, further evidence that the club is in good health as it moves confidently into a new year. Well Done Barrie to you and to Sinead and Daniel for their non stop support while filming your moment of glory, with many more to come we hope.
McGRADY FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR X/C SERIES
The final round of the 2012/13 series took place on Saturday morning in Tollymore Park in sunny but cool conditions, ideally suited to running. The 97 athletes who participated was a slightly larger number overall though the East Down contingent of 27 was disappointingly down by 9 on last year although club membership is at all time record level and 50/60 children turn up regularly on wet Winter nights to train. For what I wonder?
However those who took part did splendidly well and the County town club got off to a good start with Michael O'Connor taking 2nd place just 2 seconds behind Newcastle's Jamie Williamson in the P4 Boys race while Colleen Burke was an excellent 3rd in the Girls equivalent, backed up by Holly Rice in 6th and Claire Lundy in 7th place. In the P5 Boys race Naoise O'Hagan gave notice of great things to come by taking 4th place in a strong field with Jack Rice and Christopher McMullan battling manfully to the line a little further back.
Louise Lundy was an eyecatching 3rd in the P5 Girls race with Lucy Morgan showing her dedicated training was paying off with a tremendous sprint finish to take 6th. Andrew McGrattan was another to demonstarte a Bolt like finish, only just failing to catch Newcastle's winner Danny Williamson on the line. A similar finish by Libby Maloney only just failed to catch Newcastle's talented Eve Kenneally in the Girls category and with Natasha Savage, Aoife Burke and Grace Surginor packing well East Down claimed 4 of the top 5 places.
ADAM WORTH COPYING
East Down had just one representative in the Boys P7 contest, the ever present and ever dependable Adam Morgan, a shining example to all his fellow members of what team work means. Adam never gives up and always finishes his races, having given his all, Well Done to him.
In the P7 Girls race Caoimhe-Grace O'Donnell made a welcome return to form taking 2nd spot, though was no match for the very strong Niamh Scullion from Burren who dominated throughout. Edie Carroll continued her excellent season in 5th with Ellen O'Hare showing considerable promise in 7th.
OWEN'S WAITING GAME
The race of the day however, was the Year 8 Boys contest which was led out by Burren's Jack O'Farrell with East Down's Owen Edwards tracking him every step of the way. Halfway round the last lap it looked like Owen's challenge was over as Jack opened a considerable lead. But as they approached the final 200 metres on the long drag up towards the cheering crowds on the hill, the gap had closed dramatically and the spectators roared in anticipation. As they turned for the line and the final climb towards the Monument Owen saw his opportunity and fairly powered past his brave opponent. A great contest with Matthew McGrattan, having literally been picked up on the touchline after his football match, working hard to take 4th place.
The Year 8 Girls race was dominated by the host club with Sarah Dougherty the clear winner ahead of Michaela Quinn and Marie Claire McVeigh, as Newcastle took the top 5 places before Mary-Jo Tumelty and Eva Lundy weighed in for East Down.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE BIG BOYS GONE?
Year 9 Boys was dominated by Burren runners as they ran the East Down boys almost to a standstill after they had mixed it with the leaders for the first half of the race. Nevertheless it will have proved a valuable learning experience for Chris O'Connor and Daniel Atkinson, who never gave up. The Year 9 Girls was a complete whitewash for East Down with Laura Green, Aoife Cochrane, Elisha Surginor, Ella Carroll and Eimear Connor having no opposition from either Burren or Newcastle. To balance the equation East Down had no representation in the year 10 Boys or Girls or Year 11 Girls, while there were no entries at all in the Year 11 Boys category!
So the series comes to an end and thanks as ever go to McGrady Financial Services for their invaluable support and to all the other sponsors and supporters. Series presentations will take place on a date to be announced later.
KILCIEF BEN DEARG 10K
On next Sunday 24th the third Kilclief Ben Dearg Coast 10K and Fun Run takes place over what is one of the most scenic routes in the country. Interest is high and a good turnout is expected. The race starts at 1.00pm with all entries taken beforehand in the GAC Clubrooms.
Joe Quinn
17 February 2013
