The signs of autumn are evident  and Jack Frost will soon be nipping at our toes.  With this in mind the 2010/2011 cross country season began in earnest today, October 9th.  Traditionally the Teachers race is the maiden voyage in the XC adventure, and culminates with the AIB/NUI event in Maynooth in late March.  I was delighted with the largest Garda turnout for some time.  If today's numbers are an indication of the season to come then I can honestly venture that this will be our most successful season in many a year.  Over 200 attended Castleknock College where the race was held.  The race consisted of 4 laps of a one mile loop for the men and 2 laps for the ladies.  Conditions were good underfoot and the course was quite flat but there was a strong wind blowing which did hamper ones efforts at times.                                                 

In the Ladies race AGS was proudly represented by our BHAA stalwart Bridget Buckley, who ran courageously all the way to the line, finishing 14th in 13:59.  It is unfortunate that Bridget has been ploughing a lone furrow in the BHAA Series, and hopefully we will have a consistent pool of female talent attending the races in the near future.  There can be no doubt about a female garda team's ability to score week in and week out in the team competition.  

In the Mens race Hugh Reddy clocked 35:25.  A great start for Hugh to the XC season as he banked important early points in the individual league (IL).  Next was Dave Lynch who ran conservatively for the first half but upped the effort in the second and came home in 35:08, taking maximum points in the IL.  Ahead of Dave was our very own High King of Tir na nOg, Mick Ferry who came home in 119th place in a time of 29:06.  Some result considering he got the same time as a man exactly half his age, and Mick was not at full tilt today.  Just outside the top 100, AGS were delighted to witness the return of the Dun Laoighre dynamo, Declan Egan to competitive action.  Having taken a siesta of over a year, Declan returned to the BHAA fold and produced 28:09 for the 4 mile course.  Fresh from his efforts last week in the Athlone 3/4 Marathon, John Griffin crossed the line in 27:36 and secured 94th spot.  20 seconds further up the field Kevin "Ronseal" Grogan, continued to keep up his gruelling schedule of continuous events and finished in 27:17 to take 89th.  George Maybury also returned to BHAA action and cruised around the course and placed 83rd in 27:08.  Again it was encouraging to see George return to the fold and hopefully he will continue to lend his talents to the team over the winter period.  Anthony Malone ran 24:32 and was satisfied with his 38th placing.  As has been expressed on numerous occasions in the past if The Garda Athletic Club, can field over 7 runners in any event team prizes will inevitably follow.  Today was no exception, despite George and Declan not being available for team inclusion.  In Division C, the team of Anthony, Kevin and John placed second , behind DCC and ahead of Eircom.  In Division D, Mick, Dave and Hugh placed third behind AIB and Motors A.  Well done to all, and keep up the good work.