from Ciarán Mac Giolla Phádraig Mary Mulhare and John Travers emerged victorious at the inaugural Ballyfin Junior-Cross event which was held in Emo Court on Saturday. Two high quality fields were assembled for each race with the country’s top juniors eager to get their hands on the lucrative cash prizes on offer.
The junior women were first off with Tekea Gebrezgi (Celtic DCH) racing into an early lead followed closely by Catherina Mullen (Shercock) with Eimear Black (Ballymena and Antrim) and Mary Mulhare (North Laois) content to sit in behind.
Coming into the final lap, Gebrezgi was approximately three strides up on Mullen, Mulhare, Black and Joanne Mills (Lagan Valley) who were following in convoy. Mulhare then began to make her move, first overtaking Mullen and then closing on Gebrezgi. Approaching the hill for the second time, Mulhare edged in front and, forcing the pace, succeeded in opening a slight gap over Gebrezgi. By this stage, Mills and Black had moved clear of Mullen to occupy 3rd and 4th spots respectively with Mullen in 5th.
Coming around the trees into the fast downhill section before the finish, Mulhare held her composure and finished strongly with two seconds to spare over Gebrezgi who led Celtic DCH to the team honours. A further two seconds back, came Joanne Mills with Eimear Black taking 4th. Claire Madigan (St John’s) had moved into 5th and she just about held on from the fast finishing Mullen who ended up 6th.
John Travers (Donore Harriers) was a gun-to-tape winner of the junior men’s race. Lee Van Haeften (Donore Harriers), Jake Byrne (Mullingar Harriers), Conor Rochford (St Senan’s) and Patrick Flynn (Ferrybank) led the chase in the early stages while Paul Robinson (St Coca’s) and Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers) bided their time in the middle of the pack.
Starting the second of their four laps, Travers put in an extra burst with only Byrne attempting to follow. A big gap separated Byrne from the rest of the chasers who were now being led by Brady. Robinson was tucked in behind Brady while Rochford was now back in 5th.
With two laps to go, Travers held a six second lead over Byrne who in turn was five seconds ahead of Brady and Robinson. Rochford, Van Haeften, Ryan Creech (Leevale) and Flynn were also in touch at this stage. Midway through the third lap, Byrne began to falter and was overtaken by Brady and Robinson who went into the final lap seventeen seconds down on the dominant Travers. Byrne, Rochford, Van Haeften and Creech were another seven seconds back and not looking likely to contend for the prizes.
Travers increased his lead slightly in the final lap with Robinson producing a big finish to secure second spot ahead of Brady. Rochford was best of the rest, followed by Van Haeften and Creech.
Results:
Junior Women:
1. Mary Mulhare (North Laois) 6:12
2. Tekea Gebrezgi (Celtic DCH) 6:14
3. Joanne Mills (Lagan Valley) 6:16
4. Eimear Black (Ballymena and Antrim) 6:22
5. Claire Madigan (St John’s (Clare)) 6:28
6. Catherina Mullen (Shercock) 6:28
Team:
1. Celtic DCH 21 pts (Tekea Gebrezgi, Sinéad Cronin, Niamh Doyle; 2, 9, 10)
Junior Men:
1. John Travers (Donore Harriers) 11:26
2. Paul Robinson (St Coca’s) 11:46
3. Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers) 11:48
4. Conor Rochford (St Senan’s) 12:00
5. Lee Van Haeften (Donore Harriers) 12:02
6. Ryan Creech (Leevale) 12:08
Team:
1. Donore Harriers 18pts (John Travers, Lee Van Haeften, Eric Keogh; 1, 5, 12)
2. St Laurence O’Toole’s 38pts (Shane Lawler, James Griffin, Graham Power; 9, 13, 16)
3. Mullingar Harriers 41pts (Jake Byrne, Vincent Connolly, Thomas Fagan; 7, 15, 19)
4. St Abban’s 48pts (Brian Kelly, Stephen Lawlor, Stephen Attride; 11, 17, 20)
Full results and further information available at www.ballyfincrosscountry.com