Clohisey and Mageean set for Abbotstown cavalry charge

Clohisey and Mageean set for Abbotstown cavalry charge

There is set to be a second stampede this coming Sunday (November 27) at the Sport Ireland National Cross Country Track in the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus for the Irish Life Health National Cross Country Championships.

Previews can provide the commentators curse especially with a long list of highly competitive athletes vying for individual, club and county glory as well as potential places on the Irish European Cross Country at stake.

Open senior races

Raheny Shamrock’s Mick Clohisey has been a dominant force domestically over cross country and he will be looking to stretch his reign while also guiding his club to their first team title. The women’s race will also be wide open with Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) forgoing the championships to race in Spain. This will be the second race on the new purpose built cross country course following the Autumn Open last month.

Mick Clohisey has been able to churn a gear and derail his opponents in what would be his fourth national title over the country. However, on the team front, he has been unable to steer Raheny Shamrock to their first elusive men’s team title. He will he hoping that will all change at the National Sports Campus where a strong squad includes Dooney brothers, Conor and Kevin, Mark Kirwan and Cillian O’Leary.

They dominated the Dublin Championships over their arch rivals Clonliffe Harriers who know how to peak for the big one. They won’t be relinquishing their crown without a fight and will have the consistency of Brian MacMahon, David Flynn and Sergiu Ciobanu leading the black and amber charge.

Munster champion Dara Chesser will be looking to score a surprise on three fronts – individually, for Ennis Track Club and his county Clare. Dublin will of course be heavy favourites for the county title but Clare have a team to be reckoned with.

Christie still has class

Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers) oozes class and he has been reeling back the years winning the Autumn Open in Abbotstown along with winning the Leinster title against Tullamore Harriers’ Liam Brady.  

Among the other individuals looking to shine will be Rio Olympians Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) and Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s) along with Shane Quinn (Ferrybank) who has returned specifically for this race and a tilt at European selection.

The deep field also includes national 5,000m champion Conor Duffy (Glaslough Harriers), Ryan Creech (Leevale), John Travers (Donore Harriers), Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham), Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) and Jake O’Regan (St John's) who could be a surprise package.

Leading U23s

Kevin Kelly (St Coca’s), Karl Fitzmaurice (Ennis Track), Michael McCabe (Raheny Shamrock) and Michael Carey (Clonmel) will be some of the contenders for the men’s U23 crown.

O'Leary returns

Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers) returns from Iona College to try and stamp his authority in the junior men’s race with the absence of Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track) and Pierre Murchan (DCH). Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers), James Edgar (City of Lisburn), Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers), Craig McMeechan (North Down), Darragh McElhinney (Bantry), Charlie O’Donovan (Leevale), Paul O’Donnell (DSD) and Barry Keane (Waterford)  are among the long list. McMeechan, McElhinney, O'Donovan and Keane are also among the leading U18s. 

Mageean looking to continue fine 2016

Ciara Mageean (UCD) has had a fine 2016 winning bronze in the 1500m at the European Athletics Championships and running a swift 4:01 after the Rio Olympics in Paris. Mageean missed out in Santry last year but with another winter behind her, and cuter tactics, she will be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday over 8km.

She used her racing savvy at the Dublin championships sitting on Caroline Crowley’s (Crusaders) shoulder before surging over the last 600-800m.

Crowley was second Irish woman at the Autumn Open and there is another stellar cast of women set for the starting line with Rio Olympians Michelle Finn (Leevale) Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle), Breege Connolly (North Belfast Harriers) all on the entry list.

The depth is highlighted with Annmarie McGlynn, Caitriona Jennings (both Letterkenny) , Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers), Siobhan O’Doherty (Borrisokane) and Una Britton (Kilcoole) also listed.

Leevale will be keen to retain their title but Dundrum South Dublin have a strong team with Laura Shaugnessy, Maria McCambridge, Meghan Ryan, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Sarah Mulligan and Niamh Devlin. Letterkenny should also mount a strong challenge.

Heaslip and O'Donoghue head U23

Shona Heaslip (An Riocht) and Amy O’Donoghue (Emerald) are two of the leading U23 athletes looking to mix it.

DSD production line on show in U18 and Junior

DSD’s production line shows no signs of abating in the junior and u18s with Eimear Fitzpatrick, Sophie Murphy, Niamh Carey, Jodie McCann and Abby Taylor to name but a few of their strong stable. Blackrock’s Amy Rose Farrell (Blackrock) will be looking to feature in the junior and U18 race which will be mixed together as will Lauren Dermody (Castlecomber), Carla Sweeney (WSAF), Emma O’Brien (Sli Cualann) and Clare Rafter (Tullamore Harriers)

Let the Juveniles shine

There will be a wealth of energy and talent on show in the U12, 14 and 16 age groups where some have already made their mark in school competition. Rather than identify individuals and put pressure on them we will report on all of their performances on Sunday evening.

It is a great achievement for them to make it to the All Ireland’s and run on the purpose built cross country course where hopefully they will stay on and watch the older athletes – opening their eyes to the broader horizon that awaits them.

It promises to be a fun-filled and action-packed day where club colours will be out in force. Abbotstown awaits.   

Updated entry lists:

U12-16 HERE

U18 and Junior HERE

U23 and Senior HERE

Timetable

EVENT DISTANCE START TIME

GIRLS U12 2,000m 11.30

BOYS U12 2,000m 11.43

GIRLS U14 3,000m 11.55

BOYS U14 3,000m 12.10

GIRLS U16 4,000m 12.25

BOYS U16 4,000m 12.43

GIRLS U18 & JUNIOR WOMEN 4,000m 13.00

BOYS U18 & JUNIOR MEN 6,000m 13.20

SENIOR WOMEN & U23 8,000m 13.45

SENIOR MEN & U23 10,000m 14.25

European Cross selection policy

The full selection Policy is available HERE 

Junior Criteria

3.7 The first three(3) finishing athletes (male/female) at the Inter‐Clubs will gain automatic selection.

Under 23 Criteria

3.8 The first two(2) finishing athletes (male/female) at the Inter‐Clubs will gain automatic selection.

Senior Criteria

3.9 The first three(3) finishing athletes (male/female) at the Inter‐Clubs will gain automatic selection