Competitive races expected in Dundalk

Dundalk to host competitive championships 

More good numbers are expected for the Irish Life Health National Intermediate, Masters, Juvenile B & Relays Cross Country Championships in Dundalk I.T. on Sunday (February 3).

The Dundalk I.T. sports grounds have been an excellent venue for cross country the last number of years and it is sure to continue this Sunday no matter what the weather throws up. The timetable is HERE and provisional entries HERE

The event starts at 11am with the girls U11 1,000m with individual underage races culminating in the boys U17 3,000m.

Then it’s time for the U12 and U14 girls and boys (respectively) 4x500m which always provides good excitement on the top field.

The ever thriving masters section then kicks off the afternoon programme at 13.30 with the master women (all categories) and the men over 65 as they traverse 4,000m.

Some of the stalwarts include Teresa Doherty (Finn Valley) who heads a competitive W40 section with Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock) W50 and Niamh O’Sullivan (An Riocht) W55 looking to continue their success in respective categories.

The masters’ men (35-64) will maraud over 7,000m at 14:00 with Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) M35, who has had an excellent winter, most likely to be first across the line overall. There are a host of top names throughout the age groups.  

At 14.40 the intermediate women tackle 5,000m with Cheryl Nolan (St Abban’s) looking to add the intermediate title to the novice crow she won in Navan in December. Jessica Craig (North Down) will be among those looking to be in contention.

Clonliffe Harriers have a strong team on paper for the men’s intermediate 8,000m at 15:10 which will round out the action. Aaron Hanlon and Sean O’Leary will head their ranks with Mitchell Byrne (Rathfarnham WSAF) one of those with individual aspirations.