By The Non-Runner
On Monday 31st March at Shimna IC, Newcastle AC hosted the presentation night for the very popular McGrady Financial Services Junior XC. This series saw a new guest club joining in for the races. Thanks to all from 3 Ways AC from Newry for taking part in some races and joining in the fun!
Junior Teams from Newcastle AC, East Down AC, Burren AC and Dromore AC competed in the series to win points. This series is a team event and, whilst we acknowledge those runners who came out tops in the individual races, it’s all about the team prize. Each runner who crossed the line contributed towards the final total which then decided who would take home the team shields. The bets were off and the winners of the shields for Primary and Post-Primary were announced on the night.Runners who completed 4 out of the 5 races received a McGrady Financial Services kit bag and a very impressive gold medal in a presentation box. Definitely something for the mantlepiece! Individual winners of each category received an extra bonus prize of a gold running shoe, denoting 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.
This reporter is totally chuffed with the kit bag received for writing the reports. Couldn’t wait to write my name on it. It’s definitely something to keep me sweet for future report writing. Hence this report-I wasn’t even at the presentation night! I fully expect an imminent scramble to take over this role, now that the rewards are public knowledge……
And so to the winners…drum roll please…
Primary School Team Shield winners
Girls-Newcastle AC
Boys-Newcastle AC
Post Primary (Big School) team shield winners
Girls-East Down AC
Boys-Burren AC
We also had perpetual trophies won this series by Dromore year 11 boys and Burren AC Primary School girls for outstanding performance through the series.
Congratulations to each and every one of the 200 juniors who took part in the races.
No “bumps” for the birthday boy.
It wouldn’t be presentation night without a special guest speaker. Apparently the negotiations were tense and protracted in the efforts of engaging the oratory talents of our chosen speaker. I’m not sure if the appearance fee has been settled, even as we go to print.
Our very own David O’Flaherty was our special guest speaker. Not only is David a well known junior coach and past pupil of Shimna IC, but he has made the headlines with his running talents. Most recently the individual winner of the Comber Cup, 2nd place in The Rollercoaster and part of the winning team who brought home the much-cherished NI & Ulster Junior XC Championships. No, I don’t know why they are called Juniors either, they’re not all exactly in their teens, are they??
If the children and parents had known that David was to celebrate his 30th birthday two days after our event then surely he would have got the bumps? Or is it the swings nowadays? I realise that I’m showing my own vintage, safe to say I’m several years ahead of 30! Anyway, happy birthday to David!
And finally…
It’s hard to believe that we have already completed the fourth series. Without very generous sponsorship these events would not be possible. So it’s a huge thank you to PJ McCrickard and everyone at McGrady Financial Services for their support. Also behind the scenes is the ever reliable Martina Hawkins, who is there to keep everyone right and organise us all accordingly. Thank you Martina! Thanks also to Darragh McCrickard, who has spent many hours at the computer screen compiling results for the series, supported by cups of tea from his Mum Catherine!
At one of the races in Kilbroney the Newcastle AC registration team (me, Martina, Darragh and other volunteers) were heading for a meltdown in trying to process the large numbers of waiting runners. The other clubs answered our pleas of help and from the next race we introduced the stream-lined registration, which was a big improvement. Thank you to everyone from the other clubs for helping out.
Finally thank you to all the runners and their families. You were all fantastic in your running and we are very proud of you all. In primary school speak-you’re totally awesome.
We aim to promote not just running and fitness, but so much more. We hope our races have helped to instil confidence in our junior runners. There also is the friendly, social aspect of meeting other like-minded children and just having good craic!
Well done to everyone involved and we look forward to seeing you at our next event coming soon-the junior Hill and Dale.