Luke Dinsmore (Annadale Striders) and Avril Deegan (Dublin City Harriers) produced classy performances this afternoon to secure the Intermediate titles at today’s thrilling edition of the 123.ie National Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile B Cross Country Championships in Gowran Demesne, Kilkenny (Feb 12th).
Dinsmore (Annadale Striders) raced tactically superb, crossing the finish of the 8,000m course in 00:25:33 to also lead his club to the team gold. The Annadale athlete sat back from the blistering opening pace set by the leading athletes, before gradually reeling in Vinny Connolly of Mullingar Harriers who had make a break for home from the midway point. The Westmeath athlete would ultimately have to settle for a brave second place in 00:25:47, with Pat Hennessy finishing fast to claim third in 00:25:49 for West Waterford AC.
Avril Deegan (Dublin City Harriers) ran steady throughout the women’s 5000m race, always looking in control in a perfectly judged ‘from-the-front’ win in 00:17:42. Kate McDonald (00:18:02) of Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District AC was second, followed by Sharon Rynne (00:18:31) of Kilmurray Ibrick N.Clare third.
The master’s races saw Tommy Payne (Tinryland AC) first home in the 65+ race, covering the 4,000m distance in 14:49 for gold. Fiona Santry East Cork) was first home in a thrilling finish to the women’s race, crossing the finish in first place in 00:14:16 from Fiona Gettings (Longford AC) 00:14:24.
The men’s O35 race was a cracker, with East Cork’s Tim O'Donoghue continuing his superb cross country season to come home first in 00:21:45 ahead of Raheny’s Mick Clohisey (00:22:05).
The day’s juveniles action delivered a host of exciting races throughout the day. Siofra Moloney (Ferrybank AC) and Ryan McMahon (Monaghan Phoenix) secured the first gold medals of the day in their respective U11 races. The girls race saw nine different counties represented in the top 12 placings.
Saoirse Fitzgerald (DMP AC) and Cormac Greene (Dunleer AC) were first home in the U13 races. Emma Brennan (Longford AC) raced superbly to claim the U15 title, with boys U15 winner Patrick Thynne (Ennis Track) looking another endurance star from the Ennis Track production line.
Maria Coone (DMP AC) claimed the second individual gold for DMP AC on the day in the U17 race, while St. Senans AC packed well to take the team title.
Sean Lennon (United Striders AC) claimed the finish of the day with a perfectly judged final sprint for home to claim U17 gold in a packed finish over the 3,000m course.
Select Results Summary:
Intermediate Men
1 | Luke DINSMORE | 00:25:33 | 1527 | Annadale Striders | |
2 | Vinny CONNOLLY | 00:25:47 | 1501 | Mullingar Harriers A.C. | |
3 | Pat HENNESSY | 00:25:49 | 1526 | West Waterford A.C. |
Team Result
- Annadale Striders 23
- Mullingar Harriers 63
- Galway City Harriers 65
Intermediate Women
1 | Avril DEEGAN | 00:17:42 | 1385 | Dublin City Harriers A.C. | |
2 | Kate MCDONALD | 00:18:02 | 1428 | Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District A.C. | |
3 | Sharon RYNNE | 00:18:31 | 1431 | Kilmurray Ibrick N.Clare |
Team Result
- Dublin City Harriers 31
- Clonliffe Harriers 52
- St Finbars AC 97
Masters Men 35+
Tim O'DONOGHUE | 00:21:45 | 1223 | M35 | East Cork A.C. | |
2 | Michael CLOHISEY | 00:22:05 | 1029 | M35 | Raheny Shamrock A.C. |
3 | Eoin FLYNN | 00:22:28 | 1076 | M40 | Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C. |
4 | Peter ARTHUR | 00:22:41 | 1057 | M35 | Liffey Valley A.C. |
Masters Women 35+
1 | Fiona SANTRY | 00:14:16 | 968 | F35 | East Cork A.C. |
2 | Fiona GETTINGS | 00:14:24 | 858 | F40 | Longford A.C. |
3 | Edel GAFFNEY | 00:14:35 | 924 | F35 | Trim A.C. |
4 | Jennifer ELVIN | 00:14:47 | 868 | F35 | Clonliffe Harriers A.C. |
Master Men 65+
1 | Tommy PAYNE | 00:14:49 | 1306 | M65 | Tinryland A.C. |
2 | Eugene MOYNIHAN | 00:15:46 | 1334 | M65 | Marian A.C. |
3 | Joe GOUGH | 00:15:59 | 1350 | M70 | West Waterford A.C. |
U17 Boys
1 | Sean LENNON | 796 | United Striders A.C. |
2 | Conor MURPHY | 784 | St. Coca's A.C. |
3 | Roger GOMEZ | 800 | Kilmurray Ibrick N.Clare A.C. |
U17 Girls
1 | Maria COONE | 760 | D.M.P. A.C. |
2 | Abbey WOLOHAN | 759 | Croghan A.C. |
3 | Saoirse TWOMEY | 768 | West Muskerry A.C. |
Athletics Ireland would like to thank all in Gowran AC for hosting another hugely successful national championships.