Newcastle juniors star

Newcastle juniors star

18 January 2012

MAJESTICALLY situated in the heart of the County Down countryside, Castleward, with its eccentrically elegant 18th century house that fuses classical and gothic styles is a hidden gem for runners.

This truly beautiful 820 acre walled demesne with walking trails, exotic gardens and stunning vistas was the ideal location for the penultimate race in the 2011-12 McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series.

Joe Quinn and his East Down colleagues had thoughtfully planned a ‘proper’ cross country loop that was both varied and interesting. Despite the crispness in the air in the morning, the conditions in the afternoon were ideal.

The sun was shining and the ground, while a little soft underfoot, was conducive to high quality racing. There was the usual buzz of excitement around the course as the 94 athletes registered and readied themselves for the challenge that lay ahead.

The P4 and under category has been the most fiercely contested in the series to date with the youngest athletes impressing in their commitment and enthusiasm.

Once again they failed to disappoint. They went for it from the moment the pea vibrated in Frank Morgan’s whistle until the line had been crossed. First home on this occasion and recording a maiden victory in the series was Ronan McVeigh who managed to out-sprint Rory Corrigan in a frenetic scramble to the line.

Again, the margin of victory was little more than the thickness of a vest as this category once again lived up to pre-race expectations. First girl home was another Newcastle debutant, Hannah Carson, who overcame Amy McCrickard by an equally narrow margin.

There was a debut for Newcastle’s Anna O’Flaherty (inset), daughter of David and niece of Irish International and London 2012 hopeful Kerry Harty, she will be closely watched in the years ahead to see if the next generation is as successful as the last.

Conor Murray and Eve Kennalley made it a double for Newcastle in the P5 races, while East Down were doubly successful in the P6 races with striking victories for Caoilin Quinn and Caiomhe Grace-O’Donnell.

Tim Prenter took off like the proverbial hero of a Meat Loaf song and was able to sustain his initial gap to impressively win the P7 race ahead of his perennial rivals Caolan Hawkins and Gabriel Corrigan. Newcastle laid claim to all of the competitors in the P7 girls’ race with Sarah Dougherty most impressive in winning from Michaela Quinn.

The rallying call before the event for all Year 8s to turn out had mixed success. While there were 11 girls (a healthy 8 from East Down) competing, there was a disappointing field of four in the boys’ event.

East Down secured another double with Matthew Carrick and Aoife Cochrane first to cause a fissure at the finishing tape. Honours were even in the Year 9 race with Jack Quinn winning for Newcastle and Ellen Erskine triumphant for East Down, having clawed back Laura Gardiner who had started extremely quickly and at one point held a commanding lead. Finally, Patrick Sheridan and Dearbhla Magee once again showed their class as they romped to victories in the Year 10 and above races.

Well done to everyone who competed in the races. It is clear that massive strides are being taken by both clubs in promoting enjoyment of running. This is evident in the many smiling faces that were on display and in the encouraging performances that show how each and every runner is improving with each race.

The final race of the series sees a return to the idyllic and picturesque setting of Tollymore Forest Park, on Saturday, February 18 at the earlier time of 11am.

With some of the categories yet undecided the final race day should be quite an event. The overall series presentation night will be on Monday, March 12, at 7pm in Shimna College.

There certainly has been a lot of club activity in the week that was. Newly-appointed forest and fells manager, coach and overall Svengali Eugene McCann has his charges on a strict diet of hills, peaks, mountains, massifs, crags, hummocks, tors, summits and crests as the club prepares for mounting a challenge to Mourne Runners in 2012.

Such is the enthusiasm of this group of fine young athletes that a few recent departures in the transfer window are looking to rejoin.

On Saturday, Eugene, one of Newcastle’s most stylish and eligible bachelors, had the boys out for an early morning run that turned into a most of the day adventure.

There were some great Newcastle performances at the Moira Cross-Country.

Luke McMullan was a very credible sixth, a minute and a half behind winner Conor Magill of North Belfast Harriers. Well done also to Daniel O’Higgins of Newcastle AC who finished 28th.

As usual, Anne Sandford ran stoically in her race, finishing 13th in a highly competitive field which was led home by the in-form Julie Turley. However, as usual the bus full of maybes never left the station, much to the increasing frustration of those who race all the time.