Post Primary District Cross Country
As we near the end of January, the school’s cross country season gets underway. With Districts taking place on Thursday at Delamont, a large number of the Newcastle junior squads swapped their yellow and red vests for their school colours and lined up against each other in their respective races. With St.Malachy’s High School, Shimna Integrated College, St.Louis Grammar School, Down High, St.Patrick’s Grammar School, Our Lady’s Grammar School and Assumption Grammar School all selecting Newcastle AC runners to represent their Cross Country Squads.
The Year 8 athletes kicked the day off with Saorlaith McAleenan securing her place in Ulsters with a 9th place finish. She was quickly followed by an improving Lily McMurray in 15th, Eilis Donnelly 24th, Freya Muckian in 64th and Aoife Grant in 86th. For the Mini Boys race Connaire Og McVeigh ran an unbelievable race leaving many young men he followed behind during Flahavans last year in his dust as he crossed the line in 7th place and headed for Ulster also. Both St. Malachy’s High School Mini Teams also qualify for Ulster via the best performing Team pathway.
The Year 9 line up demonstrated the quality and talent that this particular age group has within the club. Eve McNamara was the first girl across the line in a convincing 6th place. She will be joined at Ulster by Maisie McVeigh, 11th and Parisa Suay Quinn, 15th. Mila Astruc-Kidd had a fantastic race to finish in 56th, holding off Niamh Watson in 58th place. Kate Bradley had a very strong finish to take 86th place. In the boys race the familiar sight of training buddies Fahlin Murphy-McKibbin and Fiachna McAleenan continued to produce textbook races and make their mark in this age category. Fahlin put in a tough fight to take 2nd place and add to his prestigious medal collection for this season and Fiachna was hanging onto his shadow for 6th place both headed for Mallusk for the Post Primary finals.
The Junior Girls had an impressive 11th place finish for Carrie Bradley which is a result of consistent and dedicated approach to her training in recent months. Erin Easton crossed the line in 23rd with Sarah Uhomoibhi in 31st. Piera Corrigan held strong mid field to finish in 51st with a Clara Flynn in 54th amongst a competitive field. Aaron O Boyle picked up where he left off last year and found himself within the lead group of the Junior Boys race taking 7th place. Jamie O Flaherty dug deep over the deteriorating ground conditions to slip into 20th place and book a spot in Ulster chamsionships.
The Inter Girls race had the U16 Hill & Dale Champion, Emily Mc Mullan representing her school. Her finely turned agility and coordination helped her to navigate the race to cross the line in 46th place. The Inter Boys was a highly competitive field with a number of exceptional club runners with Ulster and All Ireland medals this season, taking to the line. Euan McIntosh was delighted with a 10th place finish to see himself safely into Ulsters. Karim Jaidane was in 35th place with Callum Flynn moving up a number of places in the closing stages to secure 49th spot. Vincio Villaseca finished in 88th place.
The Senior Boys, although a smaller field than the younger races, welcomed the most competitive of runners who between them had so many achievements. All sub 20, 5k runners, athletes who have represented Northern Ireland at Track and some who have even been selected to run for Ireland in Mountain races.
It was a great race to spectate as Ethan McMullan added to his achievements this season to take a brilliant 2nd place after an peic battle with eventual winner Noah Sheridan from St. Patrick’s, Downpatrick. Patrick McDaid also reaped the fruits of his dedication to early morning runs and impeccable life balance to finish in 10th place. Yasin Brannigan had a strong race to finish in 17th place.
Emily McMullan making light work of the challenging terrain
Ethan McMullan & Patrick McDaid up front in the Senior Boys Race
Athletes from Shimnaa College Newcastle & St Malacy’s HS castlewellan
Castlewellan Parkrun
On Saturday morning it was back to Castlewellan Parkrun for many of those who had taken part in Districts, ready to embrace the challenge of the largest Pacer week ever.
Thanks to the flawless and relentless organisation of Danny O Boyle. There were 50 volunteers who made the free Saturday morning even such a huge success. With 2 pacers to every minute from 19minutes to 32minutes in addition to the normal cohort required each week. There were a few Juniors up for the challenge. With Fiachna McAleenan running a consistent sub 20 at parkrun allowed him to be a strong marker for younger brother Rossa who was flanked by pacers either side at the turn on Crow Road. After a spectacular PB the previous week of 22.36. He managed to pull out all the stops and find exactly 1 more minute to finish in 21.36. There has been an immense improvement from this young man and as only a Primary 6, his big brother may watch his back as there is no stopping Rossa in his relentless pursuit to get better every time.
Pacer week proved to be the invaluable addition to parkrun that Aoife Grant needed to find herself pushing into the next minute with a 27.59 and a 37 second PB. Given that she had represented the school at Districts on Thursday, it would have been understandable if she opted for a social parkrun. Instead she continued to push herself and bagged that PB thanks to the pacers and the other supportive runners around her.
Rossa on the way to a staggering PB at Parkrun
Antrim Gardens, Born 2 Run
Michael Lynch, for the 2nd Saturday in a row, found himself on the line of the Run Forest Run Series to take on the 5k. Last week at Minnowburn he completed the multi terrain course in 22:26 and this week kept up this strong pace and his priceless talent of spotting the photographer to finish in exactly the same Time of 22.26.
In the 10k, Karim Jaidane and Callum Flynn welcomed the firmer ground of the route in Antrim as their legs recovered from the energy sapping course at Delamont on Thursday. Karim was first to cross the line in a superb 40:55 which is his fastest 10k of the series. Callum put in a well paced race to finish in 42.31. Exceptional running from both boys.
Karim, in his Chest Heart and Stroke vest, continues to actively raise funds for the NI Charity throughout this series having received over £300 in
Michael Lynch at Minnowburn
Karim and Callum enjoying perfect running conditions at Antrim Gardens
donations so far.