RACE REPORT

The Leinster uneven ages, Senior & U23 XC was hosted by St. Senas's A.C. in Mountain View, Co. Kilkenny. This was an ideal setting on an unused golf course. Even with extremely heavy rain the underfoot conditions and course was mostly firm and offered everything you would want for a XC. It had plenty of ups and down hills, some long straights and tight twists and turns. Parking and the logistics of getting in and of the venue was superb. What really topped the day off was the extremely calm and sunny day after monsoon like conditions earlier in the week. The first race of the day was the girls under 9s followed all the way to the boys u19. As with all juvenile xc events the excitement and level of competition was through the roof. So many clubs attended with all races being extremely close with not much between individual places, club and county places.

Mullingar Harriers had a field day taking home many medals in the underage races. Ratoath A.C., St. Cocas, St. Senan''s and Tullamore also scored well. Meath, Louth, Kilkenny, Kildare also took a lot of the country medals on offer.

The Women's Senior race was a tasty affair with so many high quality athletes. DCH, Sportsworld, Mullingar Harriers, Dunboyne and St. Sennan's all with national medals among their team ranks and runners. Anyone could have won this race on paper. However, if there was a favourite among them all, DCH was it. They did finish top of the pile along with Dublin as the top county team. The race was won in style by the race favourite Fiona Mckenna of UCD A.C. Fiona led from start to finish and had a big lead even after the first lap. In 2nd place was Nadine Donegan of Tullamore Harriers and Luara Buckley of Dunboyne A.C. in 3rd place.

The men's was just as competitive as the club and team scoring went right to the finish line. We could see who was battling it out for the top 3 but in what order we could not tell. Sli Cualann were ever so slightly looking like they could win and that they did. The last lap saw a lot of placings change as many just sat in position for most of the race and pounced on the last lap saving all the best to last. Ger Forde of Kilkenny City Harriers who was the overall winner did not have to worry about placings or what was coming behind as he stormed home with a very convincing win. In 2nd was Phlip Marron of Ratoath A.C. and Joe Dowd of Sli Cualann in 3rd. Kilkenny were very comfortable winners too for the county top spot. Kilkenny will be one to watch for the upcoming men's National Senior XC.
Well done to all involved for a great day today

IUNEVEN AGES RESULTS

SENIOR RESULTS

WOMENS LAP 1 SENIOR

FIONA MCKENNA WOMENS WINNER

MEN'S LAP 2 XC

GER FORDE MEN'S WINNER

Back to: Leinster Senior XC Championships

Clare BARRETT