Men Win NI & Ulster Master’s XC Championship: Weekend Roundup

Men Win Master’s Crown

xc actionIt was a big weekend for cross country, with the Northern Ireland & Ulster Junior, Intermediate, and Master’s Championships staged on Saturday 25th at Lurgan Park. In tough, muddy conditions, the Harriers’ men’s team lifted the title in the Master’s competition, romping home with 33 points to win comfortably over East Coast Runners’ 103.

Eamon White led the squad with an individual bronze, clocking 29.48 over the 8 km circuit behind winner Stephen Duncan of Omagh Harriers (29.21). The other scoring members of the team were Neil Carty in 7th (30.49), Conor Curran in 9th (31.03) and Paul Blaney in 13th (31.30).

Paul Elliott was the first V60 athlete home with a solid run in 33.47.

They were well supported by Greg Walsh (32.22), Laurence Johnston (33.40), John Patience (34.34), James Wallace (34.37), Mark Shields (37.46), Colin Simpson (37.55), Jim Newberry (39.01) and Paul Williams.

Amanda Leads the Women

RamseyAmandaAmanda Perry had a good run in the women’s combined 4 km competition, placing fifth overall in 18.32 and first in the V40 category.

Other solid performances came from Helen Weir (25th in 20.57), Siobhan Drain (21.20), Athanasia Sevastaki (21.40), Paula Wallace (22.22), Hannah Funnel (23.03), Thelma McCullough (23.07), Lynn McCullough (23.34), Ita McCambridge (24.01), Frankie McGivern (24.08), Mary Reid (26.24), Nuala Connolly (29.45), Nora Curran (30.12), and Denise Rooney (31.39).

Adam and Andrew Pace the Juniors

xc2In the 10 km junior race, Adam Boyd (15th in 39.14) and new recruit Andrew Annett (17th in 39.25) set the pace for the Harriers. Next home was the ever-improving Mark McKinstry (29th in 40.24).

More solid runs came from Marc Jennings (40.44), Paul McAllister (41.52), Niall Farqharson (42.05), Andrew Considine (42.25), Allan Ritchie (42.25), Conor McQuillan (42.37), Mark McCallion (44.34) and John McConnell (45.32).

Claire Connor Wins Irish Vets 3000m

At the Irish Masters’ Indoor championships in Athlone, Claire Connor had a successful return to racing in winning the V35 3000 metres in 10.43.41. She was second in the race behind former Olympian Pauline Curley (10.25.80), who was running in a different age division.

Road Racing – Podiums for Brendan, Paul & Gladys

gladysdungarvanAt the St Patrick’s College Dungiven 10 km, Brendan Grew and Paul Horan finished first and third. Times will be posted when they become available.

At the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 Miler in Co. Waterford, Gladys Ganiel O’Neill clocked 57.27 in tough conditions (cold, blustery winds, rain and hail) to take second in the women’s competition.

Breege Connolly placed sixth among the women in the Raheny 5 Miler in Dublin, timing 29.02.

Parkruns

At the Waterworks Parkrun, the Harriers swept the first two spots with Michael Fitzpatrick (17.39) and Tony McCambridge (19.27).

1 Michael FITZPATRICK 00:17:39
2 Tony MC CAMBRIDGE 00:19:27
5 Sean MCSHANE 00:20:09
6 Gerry GRIBBON 00:20:10
7 John BLACK 00:20:11
9 John Gerard MURPHY 00:20:43
16 Conor O’RAWE 00:21:09
20 Eamon SHERIDAN 00:21:22
25 Greg MCCLURE 00:21:49
39 Nuala MULDOON 00:23:06
42 Jack CARBERRY 00:23:07
44 John Robert JOHNSTON 00:23:09
50 Colin SIMPSON 00:23:40
75 John GRIBBIN 00:25:14
76 Mannix MCALISTER 00:25:24
78 Jason REID 00:25:57
104 Mary RINGLAND 00:27:27
123 Paul WILLIAMS 00:29:48
155 Tina HAGGAN 00:35:16
166 Paul MCALLISTER 00:37:40

A number of Harriers travelled further afield, with a strong contingent turning out for the Marlay Parkrun in Dublin:

29 Damian John MARQUESS 00:20:15
36 Harry BREWSTER 00:20:34
288 John BURNS 00:27:49
399 Bryanna CATNEY 00:30:28
400 Sandy CARR 00:30:29
450 Odhran CATNEY 00:31:48
458 John Michael MARQUESS 00:31:59
501 Aaron MCCANN 00:34:03

Matt Shields ran the Castle Demense Parkrun in Macroom, Co. Cork, finishing second in 19.23; Derek Donaghy was 8th in Walsall Arboretum (18.48) and Eoghan Gill ran 20.32 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

At Queen’s (Dub playing fields), Peter Morrison was third in 18.28, followed home by Philip Donnelly (20.24), Ciaran Hunter (21.51) and John Lavery (26.18). Vincent Bradley (23.41) and Jim Clinton (29.15) ran at the Falls; Mark Shields (21.04) and Athanasia Sevastaki (31.18) warmed up for the cross country in Ormeau, and Thomas McKinstry ran at Victoria.

Photo of Amanda Perry by Mark Ramsey; Photo of Gladys Ganiel O’Neill by Gearóid Ó Laoi.

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