ULSTER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

FINNEGAN AND U/10 CROSSAN GOLD MEDALS

October 2009

Atrocious weather conditions, driving rain and high winds. These were the elements that faced the juvenile athletes of Ulster at Coleraine university grounds on Saturday last. With qualification for the National finals in Kilbeggan Co. Offaly (Sun. 22nd Nov.) at stake such conditions didn’t deter these brave athletes from producing their best and how brave they were. These youngsters were a credit to their clubs and themselves for endurance alone and once again Letterkenny `s squad proved that involvement in sport was the winner.

U10 GIRLS
It’s always a big factor on the day’s activity for the club coaches, parents and supporters when the first event of the day produced a gold medal. The conditions were forgotten as Laura Crossan led a large field from start to finish over 600 metres and this proud young star was the first Ulster champion of the day.

Having won the county title two weeks ago Laura has certainly laid a marker for the future with this victory. The team took club silver medals with Alana Clarke (6th) again proving to be an exciting newcomer to this stage, Jennifer Kilcoyne (13th) and Maeve McEniff (32nd) made up the medallists with Claire Doherty bravely coming through also.

U10 BOYS
Again a 600 metres stampede to the line Conor O`Donnell (11th), Oisin Bradley (12th) were the pick of this team but again the bravery of Cormack Doherty (26th), Brendan Horgan (46th) and Niall Diver (45th) did the club proud.

U/12 GIRLS
Team bronze here and qualifying for Kilbeggan for these girls. Again the Crossan household can be proud as Laura’s elder sister Arlene led the team home in a very meritious 5th place.

Eligible again next season at this age group Arlene was never out of the first half dozen in a tough 1000 metre event and bravely held out to indicate another talent within the club.

Ciara Finnegan (11th) can also be pleased with her run, like Arlene qualifying for the Ulster Regional team. Sarah (18th) and Shauna McFadden (55th) completing the medallist team.

U/12 BOYS
A very good team silver here, Matthew Sweeney returning from a long absence through injury brilliantly led this team with 8th placing, and with Jordan Ryan (out of his age group) in 9th showing great form with both boys earning an Ulster Regional selection for National finals. Michael McGrory (16th) and Ethan McCrossan (17th) completed the medal team with good backup from Stefan McCrossan (26th) and Jack Patton (33th).

U/14 GIRLS
No team here but two very competitive ladies endured the worst of the weather to bravely cover the 1200 metre course.

County champion Natasha McArdle can look back at the event and wonder just what could have been the result if she hadn’t been impended at the start. Taking a heavy fall which left her well behind she produced a great run to finish sixth making the Ulster Regional team. Natasha can look forward to the National finals hoping for a clear run. Likewise Lisa Gibson (36th) bravely holding her own in a large field.

U/14 BOYS
Team gold here and solid packing by boys who have shown good attitude at training and if they totally focus over the next few weeks then Kilbeggan could produce national team medals.

Peter Gibbons (5th), Sean Boyle (15th), John Russell (20th), Conor Morrison (22nd) provided the points to take the Ulster club title with Patrick Doherty (41st) and Enda McBride (51st) producing good backup.

U/16 BOYS
Team gold, the weather now secondary to what was becoming a great Ulster championship for the black and amber. An individual gold into the bargain with Ruari Finnegan obviously back in top form never challenged over the 3000 metre event. Kilbeggan can’t come soon enough for this talented athlete and hopefully he can retain this form for an obvious challenge for all Ireland glory. John Gibbons (11st), Gearoide McGeehan (16th), Ciarin Lynch (33rd) taking the medals with Odhran Doherty (38th) in a good position out of his age group.

U/18 GIRLS
Clubs find it difficult to produce teams in this age group but three brave club starlets headed into this 3000 metre slog in driving rain emerging with great credit and if Emily Grennan (3th), Catherine Boyle (20th) and Monica O`Connor (23rd) can find a fourth club mate then a team medal could be produced in Kilbeggan. Anyone out there?

U/18 BOYS
Produced the race of the day over 5000 metres. Ulster’s top talent on display here with almost ten runners still involved in a cracking finish. Letterkenny team silver medal again underlines great talent with Mark English (10th), Adam Friel (11th), Kevin Kilkenny (22nd) and John Foley (26th) taking the medals with Daniel Carr (28th) and newcomer Enda Joyce (33rd) provided good backup and again these lads can look forward to National finals with confidence of club involvement in medals.

Next outing is Ulster Un-even age groups, Killybegs providing the venue Nov.8th. bus departs Charlies Cafe 9.30am.