from Ciarán Mac Giolla Phádraig Ballyfin Junior-Cross ’09 has announced its first batch of elite entrants for the event which will take place on September 19. Offering prizes of €100 to the winner of each race, €50 for second and €25 for third, organisers are hoping to attract the top juniors on the Irish athletics scene. So far, Paul Robinson, Liam Brady, Mary Mulhare, Catherina Mullen and Mary-Ann O’Sullivan have been confirmed for the event.
Ireland’s top junior 1500m runner Paul Robinson was one of the first to confirm his entry to Ballyfin-Junior-Cross ’09. Robinson was ranked in the top 10 seniors in the country at 800m and 1500m this year as well as competing at the European Junior Championships over 1500m. He will now be looking to take this form onto the country with the Ballyfin Junior-Cross on September 19 his first port of call.
Also confirmed for the junior men’s race is bright young prospect Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers. Brady is national under 18 champion over 3000m and a bronze medallist over 1500m. He is a relative newcomer to the sport and can be expected to make big improvements this cross country season.
For the junior women’s race, Mary Mulhare of North Laois, Catherina Mullen of Shercock and Tinryland’s Mary-Ann O’Sullivan are the first big names to sign up.
Mulhare is current All-Ireland cross country champion at under 16, under 17 and intermediate schools grades as well as Irish Schools and Tailteann Games 1500m champion on the track. She finished her last cross country season, leading the Irish schools team home at the SIAB international. She will make the short trip to Emo Court hoping to open the new season with a strong performance.
Mullen was a bronze medallist in National Junior Championships over 3000m both indoor and outdoor this year. Her cross country form is also good with a 4th place finish in this year’s Irish schools championships and 3rd and 4th place finishes in last year’s under 18 and under 17 All-Ireland championships.
O’Sullivan comes into the race as reigning national track champion over 1500m in the u17 grade. She also medalled in the 800m where she took silver. Her sixth place finish in this year’s Irish Schools cross country championships secured her a place at the SIAB international and the experience should stand her in good stead this autumn.
Ballyfin Junior-Cross ’09 will take place on September 19 in Emo Court, Co. Laois. Junior women will race over 2km at 1pm with junior men to cover 4km at 1.20pm. The event has an AAI permit and is offering prizes unrivalled by any other junior competition in Ireland. Top spot in each race will receive €100 with €50 for second and €25 for third. There will also be team prizes with three athletes to score in each race.
Further information and entry forms can be obtained at www.ballyfincrosscountry.com. Race director Cormac Fitzpatrick can be contacted at 086-8366561 or by e-mailing info@ballyfincrosscountry.com.