East Down AC youths at District cross-country

East Down AC youths at District cross-country

26 January 2022

FOR many of the East Down juniors it was a busy week with the Schools’ District cross-country on Wednesday, as well as weekend races.

District A, which incorporates most schools in Co Down, was contested in Delamont Country Park with a large entry across the age groups.

Runners were there to represent their school team with qualification for the Ulster Schools event as the main aim.

As well as qualifying as part of a team, runners can also get selected as an individual if they come in the top 15 of their race.

Well done to all our juniors who took part and congratulations to those who are proceeding to  the next round which takes place in Mallusk on February 9. 

Apologies to any who were missed from our summary due to being in school vests rather than their customary red and yellow East Down AC colours.

Year 8 (Minis) 119 girls: Maeve McNeill, St Malachy’s, 40th.

Year 9 (Minors) 129 boys: Alex Robinson, Down HS, 5th individual qualifier, Finn Gibney, Down HS, 46th.

Year 9 (Minors) 126 girls: Cara Napier, Assumption, 12th individual qualifier, Erin Moore, Down HS, 66th.

Year 10 (Juniors) 113 boys:  Conan Pleasants, St Patricks, Downpatrick, 22nd.

Year 10 (Juniors) 99 girs:  Abigail Elliott, Down HS, 43rd, Rebekah Wilson, Down HS, 56th.

Year 11 (Intermediate) 89 boys: Oliver Robinson, Down HS, 7th individual qualifier, Jacob Crawford, Down HS, 13th individual qualifier, James Wright, Down HS, 23rd.

Year 13 (Senior) 33 boys: MacKenzie Murray, Down HS, 10th individual qualifier.

International cross country

ON Saturday the Northern Ireland International cross Ccuntry was held at Billy Neill Playing Fields in Comber.

The main event was the elite racing mid afternoon when the top athletes in Northern Ireland and Ireland went head to head with runners from England, Scotland, Wales and those from further afield.

There was a full team of Italian athletes and  olympic and world record standard entrants, so the spectators were kept fully entertained.

Before all this, however, there was a mixed 4K club race for both male and females of all age categories. EDAC had five runners who took part. Neil Curran had a decent run to lead his clubmates home in seventh place. 

With 14.14 as the total time run, he found it rather short and sweet, but challenging nonetheless due to the hilly route and the leg sapping mud.

Mackenzie Murray really enjoyed his outing, coming 10th in 14.31. 

His dad, Dee, was 18th in 15.55 and Adam Morgan paced it well to come 37th overall.

Catherine O’Connor was the only EDAC female but despite the back-up of a team, she went out hard and after a mid race tussle for the lead in the female category she settled into second place which she held until the line.

Those who took part saw it as good practice for this weekend coming when the club will turn out in force for the NI and Ulster Masters and Intermediate Championships which take place at Queen’s Playing Fields in Belfast.

When Ashling Murphy lost her life in tragic circumstances ,whilst out running — something that she loved and where she should not have been at risk — it struck a note with the running community both near and far.

Runners were shocked that one of their own was so cruelly and tragically taken and in an attempt to find a positive in the depths of despair there have been some gatherings over the past week to allow them to express solidarity.

One such  event was organised by Ballygalget AC on Sunday and a large number gathered in the Exploris car park in Portaferry to run 10K together in her memory.

Runners were invited to donate to Women’s Aid instead of an event fee and as a result a significant amount was raised for this worthy cause.

Suzy Smith, accompanied by her brothers Donal and Patrick, made the trip and Mags Flynn also took part.

RIP Aisling.