EVENT REPORT

The Leinster XC Masters, Intermediate and Juvenile Relays were hosted by Parnell A.C. and Wicklow athletics in Avondale House, Co. Wicklow. Huge credit must to all involved for making this a very enjoyable event.
The grounds of Avondale house are stunning and the course built was all you would want from a XC perspective. It had some firm underground conditions but also had some challenging hills to really test athletes.

The day kicked off with some real exciting juvenile relays. These always provide some great excitement and huge fun for the athletes and spectators. The relays emphasise team spirit and at the same time not overly competitive.

This lead nicely to first adults race, which was the Women's Masters and Men's 65+ race over 4k. The 2 favourites from Dublin battled it out for a 2nd week running between Raheny Shamrock A.C. and Sportsworld. Last week Sportsworld spoiled Raheny from celebrating a win on home soil in St. Anne's Park to take the Dublin Championship title. This week Raheny reversed the placings by winning by 2 points to take the Leinster title. These 2 clubs always bring some great rivalry and friendly competition to XC events. Clane A.C. were 3rd team.

Kate Purcell of Raheny Shamrock A.C. had another top class performance to win the overall race with lots to spare. The Men's 65+ race was won by Tommy Payne of Tinryland A.C. and the men's county team winners were Carlow. This was the first year we had a men's 65+ county team with 3 to score.

The next race up was the Masters Men's race. This was a large field with some great race action throughout in terms of team positions. Peter Artur of Liffey Valley A.C had an impressive win with a big margin over 2nd placed Brian Conroy of Clane A.C. who also had a great race. James Kelly of Castlecomer A.C. was 3rd.
Raheny Shamrock A.C. were again crowned team champions just like the ladies. They had 3 runners in the top 10. In 2nd place was Clane A.C. and Drogheda & District A.C. in 3rd.

The Inter women's race had a low turnout. Cliona Murphy of Dublin City Harriers had a comfortable win and her club also took top team. Dublin City Harriers have been an incredible force and a winning machine over the last 12 months.

The Men's Inter race was a tight affair with Derek Crammond of Sli Cualann leading out the pack for most of the race and followed very closely by a hunting pack in Mullingar Harriers. Vinny Connolly was the lead runner for Mullingar and caught up with Derek at about 5k. In the final 1k or so Vinny took over and saw the race out.
The top teams were Mullingar Harriers, Sli Cualann and Tullamore Harriers.

RESULTS

RELAY ACTION

START LINE WOMEN'S MASTER & MEN'S 65+

MASTER WOMEN LAP 1

KATE PURCELL WINS MASTER WOMEN'S

MASTER MEN'S START LINE

MASTER MEN LAP 1

MASTER MEN TOP FINISHERS

INTER MEN LAP 1

INTER MEN'S FINISH

Back to: Leinster Juvenile B & Mixed Relay XC Championships

Robyn GARLAND