It’s 4 for Irish Schools Cross Country

On Wednesday 07 Feb 24, those runners who progressed to the Ulster Schools Cross Country championships, toed the line at Mallusk on what was a cold but dry day.

Mallusk, known for its micro climate, didn’t disappoint as the impending snow warning hung heavy in the air.

Newcastle AC had 14 members qualify from Districts in Delamont last month to represent their schools at the Ulsters. However on the day this number dropped to 13 as news arrived in on Tuesday at Fahlin Murphy McKibbin, who had taken 2nd place in Districts at Minor level, had sustained a head injury at a schools rugby match and although the team won, this unfortunately sidelined one of the race favourites but also taught everyone a lesson in wrapping yourself in cotton wool before a big race.

Up first was “The Minis”. The Year 8 races included Lily McMurray running for Assumption Grammar School and Saorlaith McAleenan and Connaire Og McVeigh running for St. Malachy’s High School. Saorlaith ran a strong race and was able to put to bed any demons lingering from last year’s Flahavans final to finish in 41st place. Lily dug deep to remain within the main body of the race to finish in 78th place.

Connaire Og McVeigh led his school team around the course. A young man who has been relentless in his focus and determination was rewarded with a 13th place finish and qualified for the All Irelands.

The Minor Race included Eve McNamara and Parisa Suay Quinn from Shimna Integrated College and Maisie McVeigh and Fiachna McAleenan from St.Malachys High School. The Minor girls race was highly competitive and Eve finished strong securing 18th place, narrowly missing out on qualifying by 2 seconds. Parisa had the best race of her life, fighting hard for position and right until the final step gave everything to finish in 43rd place. Maisie had Armagh Road Race on her mind so used this as a training run more so than a goal race. She crossed the line in 61st place.

Fiachna McAleenan continues to make collecting Event Hoodies an actual sport as he added the Ulster Cross Country Hoodie to his growing collection. Well I think there may need to be discussions with parents to build a separate wardrobe as he flew into an All Ireland qualifying spot in 14th place. Fiachna also left the race straight after to make his way to represent the school in a football match, where he arrived 2 minutes before throw in and scored 4 points in the win. The personification of the Multi-Eventer.

Carrie Bradley from Shimna Integrated College and Aaron O’Boyle from St. Patrick’s Grammar School, toed the line in the Junior Category. Carrie has gone from strength to strength this year and has benefited greatly from training sessions in Tollymore on a Saturday mornings. She crossed the line in a commendable 50th place.

Aaron O’Boyle continues to perform well in this competition, year on year. As part of the Athletics NI Rising Stars programme he is growing into other aspects of athletics though has gone on to continue to build his presence on the Cross Country circuit and will head for the All Irelands again this year after a phenomenal 7th place finish in the Year 10 race.

Euan McIntosh, St.Louis Grammar School, was the sole club representative in the Inter Boys race. Euan has recently been under the weather which was going to impact his performance on the day. However not one to shy away from a battle, he showed up and pulled on the school jersey running an impressive 19:22 for 61st place.

The Senior Boys saw Ethan McMullan and Yasin Brannigan run for Down High School and Patrick McDaid represented St.Louis Grammar School.  Ethan crossed the line in 13th place after a hard fought battle in the closing stages of the race and gained qualification for the Irish Schools championships. After a below par run in the Districts, Yasin Brannigan had found his form again and was looking strong throughout the whole race to cross the line in 33rd place. Patrick McDaid, who has also fallen victim to the winter bugs, still toed the line and finished in an impressive 41st place.

It is always an honour to pull on your school colours and for four of our young athletes, they will get the opportunity to-do so again in the coming months as they progress onto the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships. A massive well done to all the young people who took part in the event at Mallusk, especially to the St.Malachy’s Year 8 Mini boys teams who finished 6th in the team event out of 14 teams. A great foundation for this young squad to build on in the coming years.

Intermediate & Senior Boys participants – Yasin, Euan, Ethan and Patrick

Lily McMurray proud to be representing Assumption Grammar at the Ulsters

Sibling Running in St Malachy’s with the McVeighs and McAleenans