from Athletic Northern Ireland website The second round of the McCain Cross Challenge in Liverpool took place in freezing fog. Senior winners at Sefton Park were Andy Vernon and Steph Twell. Also up for grabs were places in the Norwich Union GB and NI team for the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels in just two weeks time.
Northern Ireland had a successful trip returning with three podium positions which is an excellent achievement considering the high standard. Patrick Monaghan won the U15 boys section in a time of 9.24 with his twin finishing in third spot, just a second behind second placed Harvey dixon of Aldershot.
Ciara Mageean in her first cross country race of the season took the silver in the U17 girls (15.20) and placed 10th overall in the joint U17/U20 race. Ciara will travel with the Irish team to Brussels as part of the Junior team in less than two weeks. Joanne Mills (East Down) finished in 22nd place (U17). Ballymena’s Eimear Black was also competing crossing the line in 10th place.
Dromore’s Ryan McDermott finished a credible 14th (U17B) with Adam Ingram 39th and Eoghan Totton 47th. Brian Campbell was 68th in a huge competitive field of 395 athletes. Brian will be hoping for a victory in the 10K road race championships next weekend at the Seeley Cup.
The Malcolm Cup also took place on Saturday organised by Annadale Striders which was won by City of Derry’s Diarmuid Grant finishing in 21.46 followed by U20 duo St. Malachy’s Michael McKillop and Eoin Hamilton. Aileen Morrison made it a double for City of Derry taking the ladies title (3 miles) followed by Sharon Trimble of NBH. Vets winner was Paul Carroll (Annadale Striders)
Full results available of all races over the weekend.
[Pictured: Ciara Mageean]
