All-Ireland bronze for mighty McVeigh

All-Ireland bronze for mighty McVeigh

20 November 2024

THE juvenile All-Ireland Cross-Country Championships were held at Castle Irvine, in Fermanagh, on Sunday, with several Newcastle AC runners representing Ulster. 

The number of competitors were whittled down in each province of Ireland over the last six weeks, establishing the champions that would compete in the coveted All-Irelands.

Three-time Northern Ireland and Ulster champion Harry McVeigh was first up for Newcastle AC, having claimed bronze in his age category.

Harry’s aim was simple, to go out and give everything he had and he soon found himself battling for a podium spot. 

With the ground soft and many twists, turns and hill sections, it was a physically mentally and technically challenging 2,000m course for all the young athletes. 

As the boys grappled for position, at one point Harry found himself down in sixth, with more than a few metres to rein in. 

Going into the final 500m, Harry emerged from the trees in a battle for third place and when he drove up the final hill he shook off the competition to cross the line in third and retain his bronze position in a time of six minutes and 51 seconds. 

He was also the first Ulster competitor to finish, beating his provincial rival by a nine-second gap.

For the U-14 boys, Connaire Og McVeigh quickly got into the right frame of mind at the ideal time and as he rounded the final bend there was nothing holding him back. 

Even after nearly 3000m, Connaire tackled the final hill as if he had just started the race, passing several runners on the incline and accelerating over the line in 103rd place. 

Fiachna McAleenan, running as an U-15 in the U-16 race, was surprised to get the call up to the county team. 

He has been on an expedited recovery path, since a debilitating shoulder injury, and while 4,000m was a big jump, it did not faze the Liatroim man.

As conditions began to deteriorate at a rapid pace, Fiachna crossed the line in 16 minutes and seven seconds to claim 133rd place and a chance to come back next year.

Natalie Cotton was the only young lady in the club to make the national championship this year. 

She had a solid run, worthy enough to get selected for the U-18 ladies squad, despite having a year to spare. 

Up against the best in the country, Natalie found the conditions suited her and although finishing with 

a full mud treatment, she completed the 4,000m course in 20 minutes and 20 seconds to finish in 129th position. 

No strangers to the larger events, the Mill Hill Mile top two, Ethan McMullan and Patrick McDaid, toed the U-20 junior men’s race. 

The course had, by this stage, hosted many a pair of spikes and was softening up right across the route. 

Ethan was the first to cross the line in 87th place and ahead of Patrick, who was just eight seconds behind.

The event finished with a spectacular senior and U-23 race, which included Parkrun world record setter Nick Griggs.

For the Newcastle AC athletes, the trip to Fermanagh will be one filled with memories. 

Harry McVeigh will now turn his attention back to the defence of his NI Flahavan’s Primary Schools title and keep chipping away for next year.