
from Donore Harriers website The National Cross Country Championships came to town yesterday in Santry Demesne and provided the AAI with the perfect rehearsal to the staging of the European Championships next December. Proceedings kicked off with the Junior Women’s race at 1pm staged over 6K. No Donore athletes competed in this race but with the progression of our juvenile section it’s hopeful that we’ll see the Donore colours in this category over the next few years. We fielded teams in just two of the four races yet confidence was high in the Donore camp that medals could be secured.
Our Junior Men were first up at 1.30pm. Representing the club over the 8K course was John Travers, Lee and Max Van Haeften and Eric Keogh making his return from injury. In typical fashion John was to fore in the early stages of the race mixing it with the two other early front runners Liam Tremble (MSB) and Michael Carmody(Emerald). Lee was not far off the pace while Max and Eric had more conservative starts. John dropped off the pace in the latter stages while Lee close behind ran a superb consistent race. Meanwhile Max and Eric made steady progress chipping off places as each lap went by. The lads did very well but unfortunately a medal eluded them. They finished 4th team, 14 points off 3rd spot. Individual places were: John 9th, Lee 11th, Max 31st and Eric 33rd. The race was won by Ian Ward of Finn Valley with Michael Carmody 2nd and Liam Tremble 3rd.
In the Senior Ladies race we fielded 5 runners Fiona Mahon, Adrienne Jordan, Anne and Florence Curley and Samantha Conroy. The Competition was tough and soon into the race two obvious groups had formed with Maria McCambridge (Letterkenny AC) fronting the lead group. In the group behind Fiona and Adrienne remained prominent while Anne Curley made good progress running just behind. A easier start for Sam and Florrie saw both of them make places throughout the race with Sam running in trademark gutsy fashion maintaining a good position from mid way in the the race. The girls ran extremely well and were well rewarded with a team Silver medal when they clinched 2nd spot. With Fiona our 1st home in a magnificent 9th, Adrienne 11th and Anne 13th. Samantha finished 27th and Florrie 33th. Congratulations girls. Maria McCambridge took the individual title with Linda Byrne (DSD) 2nd and Annette Kealy (Raheny) 3rd.
Unfortunately we did not field a team in the men’s Senior race but well done to George Brady for taking to the start of the 12k race in what was a tough competitive field. The race itself was an excellent spectacle with Keith Kelly (Drogheda & District AC) taking the honours from Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe) 2nd and Vinny Mulvey (Raheny) 3rd.