Report by Siobhán Grant
Earlier in the year, junior members from Burren AC, East Down AC, Murlough AC, Dromore AC and Newcastle AC all took part in four races in Dromore, Delamont and two very different and equally as challenging routes in Tollymore. Each event expertly hosted by one of the participating clubs, facilitating the opportunity for many amazing battles out on course and creating life-long memories for participants, parents and spectators.
On Monday evening, East Down AC welcomed the participants and their families to their Clubrooms in Downpatrick for the annual prize giving. The juniors, some as young as 4, filled the front rows, waiting in anticipation of the overall results and what this year’s medals looked like.
After a few words from PJ Mc Crickard on behalf of the sponsors Mc Grady Financial Services the evening off to a start with nearly 90 children and young people turning up to recieve their prizes.
The smiles from the junior members and even bigger smiles from the onlooking parents and guardians created an atmosphere that oozed pride and accomplishment as each of the children who collected medals recalled how they gave their all, across the series. Each starting and finishing, each pushing their own limits and each showing resilience and determination to turn up and start the next race.
The Newcastle AC Junior squad didn’t fail to disappoint over the course of the series. Many friends and training partners briefly put friendships aside and battled each other during races. Many Juniors supported the younger and older club members during their races by cheering them on and at times, running them home after a tough race. The NACJ squad are the embodiment of inclusion and it is by attending these events that this becomes very evident.
P4 and Under Girls
1st Clíona McAleenan 2nd Meabh Flynn 3rd Sophie Kerr Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Rua Gosling and Charlotte Kerr
P4 and Under Boys
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Mark McDonald
P5 Girls
2nd Elizabeth Houston
P5 Boys
1st Harry Mc Veigh 3rd Rossa McAleenan
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Cuan McMurray
P6 Girls
1st Emily Kerr Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Isla McMullan
P6 Boys
2nd Senan Gosling 3rd Rory Quinn
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Luke McDonald
P7 Girls
1st Saorlaith McAleenan 2nd Mary Houston 3rd Lily McMurray Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Aoife Grant
P7 Boys
2nd Connaire Og Mc Veigh
Year 8 Girls
1st Maisie Mc Veigh 3rd Estelle Austin
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Niamh Watson
Year 8 Boys
1st Fiachna McAleenan
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Fionn McEvoy and Rónán Grant
Year 9 Girls
1st Erin Easton Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Piera Corrigan
Year 9 Boys
1st Aaron O’Boyle 3rd Jamie O’Flaherty
Year 10 Girls
Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Emily McMullan
Year 11+ Girls
2nd Sophie Neill
Year 11+ Boys
3rd Yasin Brannigan Successful completion of 3 out of 4 races; Euan McIntosh
Sophie Neill takes 2nd place over in the Year 11+ category going from strength to strength throughout the season alongside Dromore ACs Amy McCartan
Aaron O Boyle secured a very convincing 1st place overall throughout the series with some awe-inspiring runs
The Newcastle AC Primary Girls celebrate their win for largest field of Primary Girls throughout the series
Aoife Grant, Saorlaith McAleenan and Mary Houston pick up the club prize for largest club representation in an age category for the P7 girls participation with 7 Newcastle girls toeing the line throughout the series