EDAC JUNIORS AT DELAMONT McGRADY XC

EDAC were the host club at the XC on Sunday and their runners were out in force. They managed to raise their number from 18 in the first race of the series to 29 in Race 2. East Down fielded 9 Primary School athletes and 20 in the upper age groups. Big shoutout to the youngest of our runners Ozzy Ferguson and Rachel Mulhall for their bold efforts. Gabrielle Marquess in P5 and Thomas Magee in Year 9 deserve a mention they are barely into the club and managed to make podium in their first time in an EDAC vest. It is brilliant to see how many of the recent intake were prepared to give it a go.

Well done to Ollie Robinson, Aaron Lennon and Alex Robinson for winning their races for the 2nd time in the series. There were also well deserved 2nd places (Gabrielle Marquess, Finn Gibney and Jacob Crawford) while Ozzy Ferguson, Jarlath Kearney, Jessica Martin, Thomas Magee, Cara Napier, Evie Cushnie and Hannah Lennon all managed to get on the podium by placing 3rd in their year groups.

Year 9 is a standout as EDAC has 9 athletes in that category.  All in all this bodes well for the future of the club. Since this series is based on taking part – every child who turns up gets a point regardless of where they come in the race so congratulations to ALL our juniors (and their parents) for giving up their Sunday to represent the club. As usual they did us proud!

Full report for all clubs involved;

Full results can be found at – https://www.newcastleac.org/wp-content/uploads/McGrady-XC-R2-Results-2022.pdf

Photos by Marguerite and Richard Robinson can be viewed at – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzBmXo

MCGRADY FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SERIES 

The McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series continued on Sunday 6th February with Race 2 at Delamont Country Park. The weather lived up to the unsettled forecast with high winds and squally showers but there was occasional respite when the skies turned blue and glacial sunshine broke through. In the days prior there was debate as to whether it would be too inclement for the event to take place but there was a real determination to proceed as racing has been in short supply due to the pandemic. East Down AC was the host club for this one and so a stalwart band consisting of EDAC Junior Coaches and Committee ably assisted by parent volunteers toughed it out to deliver a full program of events. Setting the course up posed problems as the ground was soft and while mud is part and parcel of cross country, there were areas that were not runnable. However by 1pm the taped route was ready, the registration was complete and the nervous but excited youngsters were warming up in anticipation. 

PRIMARY RACES

P4 and under lined up, first the boys and then the girls. With vests down to their knees and a few anxious glances to parents it seemed that they were almost too young for such a task but once the whistle blew they set off like rockets round the 500m circuit. Harry McVeigh for Newcastle AC was the clear winner in the Boys’ Race and Aoife Maguire (Murlough AC) held a 5 second lead to win the Girls’ Race. P5 saw the girls and boys combined in the one race and the winners were John McElroy (Dromore AC) and Emily Kerr (Newcastle).  The 750 metres didn’t seem a bother to either of these young athletes. Ryan Thornton (Murlough AC) went off hard for the P6 win and Saorlaith Mc Aleenan (NAC) was the epitome of focus as she headed to the line to come first in the P6 Girls. With 11 entrants and the distance now 1 km, it was a challenging race. The P7 looked an experienced bunch as they gathered at the start. Many have been racing each other in the Flahavan’s XC Series for schools so there were scores to be settled. Maisie McVeigh (MAC) was taking no chances and after a short tussle, she shrugged off the rest of the field and ran solo to take the P7 Girls’ victory. Fiachna McAleenan (NAC) also showed his mettle leading home the P7 Boys. This was raced over 1200m. 

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

It was great to see the support for the younger ones, not just from parents but from older siblings and club mates who ran along side each race yelling at the younger ones to  encourage them to work hard right to the finish line. On more than one occasion there were groups breaching the line as an inseparable unit and joint times had to be awarded. This was exciting for spectators and a learning experience for the runners. In time they will develop the ability to pace over the course to keep their position but leave a little in the tank for a sprint finish if required. The Series is about participation as well as competition and all runners get a point for their club provided they finish the race. This helps to engender club spirit and creates a charged atmosphere.

POST PRIMARY RACES

The Post Primary runners were well warmed up from their cheerleading efforts on the sideline so they were primed for racing when it was eventually their turn. In years 8, 9 and 10 the girls outnumbered the boys in each category but by year 11+ it was the reverse. Still it was good to see healthy numbers out to take part overall in the post primary end of things. The distance for year 8 was 1400m and Erin Easton (NAC), who won the Girls’ Race by 8 seconds, looked controlled throughout. Aaron O’Boyle (NAC) had an exciting sprint to the line to snatch glory in Year 8 Boys.

Emma Stewart (Dromore AC) covered the 1600m Year 9 Girls’ Race at great speed to place first girl and Alex Robinson seemed to revel in the extra running as the gap between him and the 2nd runner stretched out as the race proceeded. Year 10 Boys and Girls ran together as there were 12 when combined. The 1800m race allowed spectators to get multiple glimpses as the they looped round the field. Aaron Lennon (East Down AC) won his race comfortably and Edana Butterfield (Burren AC) had a similar outcome in the Girls’ category. The finale was year 11 and up. This had a mix of gender as well as year groups. The athletes seemed to have doubled in height compared to the first race of the day and they looked powerful and committed as they loped past with long strides. The 2km race was a display of pacing and control with the speed picking up in the last lap. Ollie Robinson (EDAC) made sure he held his lead to the line and Amy McCartan (Dromore) ran strongly to come first in the Girls’ section.

THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE IT HAPPEN
Racing completed there was a flurry to clear up before the next shower and many hands made light work. Thanks are due to all the volunteers both those who are involved on the day and those who do the admin behind the scenes. The commitment of the young runners (assisted by their parents) is highly commendable and the continued backing of McGrady Financial Services is much appreciated. These young folk are the future of our clubs and the sport in general and all those who are facilitating this know that it is time well spent. Next race is in Tollymore Forest Park on March 6th. See you all there!