Ulster Schools’ Cross Country Championships
Wednesday 7th February saw the first race of the week, where City of Belfast Playing Fields in Mallusk was the venue for the Ulster Schools’ Cross Country Championships. A course that is not for the faint hearted with long open expanses, steep inclines and a wind that at times can cut to the bone. But none of this deterred our young athletes who were fortunate to avail of some winter sunshine on the day.
18 Juniors stepped up to represent their schools in both the individual and team competitions.
The first 3 teams and first 15 individuals across the line in each race, (except Mini race), would qualify for the All-Ireland Schools’ Cross-Country Finals which will take place on Saturday 9th March 2024.
First up were the mini boys who ran a high paced 1600m. Leading the pack of junior harriers across the line was Franky Mooney who finished in a very impressive 11th place out of a field of 133 and finishing only 19 seconds behind the winner.
Followed closely behind were the St Malachy’s team consisting of Lucas Mooney, Tom McLoughlin, Dualta McGleenan and Thomas Weinegar who all helped their school to an impressive 10th place finish.
A great set of running by the boys who I’m sure will have the passion and determination to compete again next year and qualify for the All-Irelands.
| Mini Boys | 1600m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Franky Mooney | 11 | 06:39 | St Patricks Banbridge | ————— |
| Lucas Mooney | 51 | 07:08 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 10th |
| Tom McLoughlin | 93 | 07:24 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | |
| Dualta McGleenan | 100 | 07:28 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | |
| Thomas Weineger | 125 | 07:51 | St Malachy’s College Belfast |
Up next was the turn of the Minor girls who were no stranger to the 2000m distance.
In a closely fought battle for positions Cassie and Leila finished in 4th and 5th place respectively, qualifying for the All-Irelands and were closely followed by Erin McAuley. Both Cassie and Erin helped Dominican College Fortwilliam to a very impressive 7th place finish. Well done girls. Fantastic running.
| Minor Girls | 2000m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Cassie Curran | 4 | 08:18 | Dominican College Fortwilliam | 7 |
| Leila Jones | 5 | 08:19 | Belfast Royal Academy | ————– |
| Erin McAuley | 48 | 09:20 | Dominican College Fortwilliam | 7 |
Next was the turn of the Minor boys. Two NBH Juniors were up for the challenge and they gave it their all. After running a distance of 2,300m, in a pack of 128, Thomas Coy finished in an outstanding 2nd place with Cormac Leheny close behind in 7th. Both boys qualified for the All-Irelands and also helped St Malachy’s to a 2nd place finish in the Team event which also warranted an All-Ireland qualification.
Well done boys.
| Minor Boys | 2300m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Thomas Coy | 2 | 08:18 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 2 |
| Cormac Leheny | 7 | 08:40 | St Malachy’s College Belfast |
Up next were the Junior Girls. Eimear O’Regan was the only NBH Junior representation in this race but that didn’t deter this young athlete. She dug deep to complete the 2,300m course in a spectacular 10:48. Well done Eimear.
| Junior Girls | 2300m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Eimear O’Regan | 60 | 10:48 | Dominican College Fortwilliam | ————– |
The penultimate girls race saw Holly Collins and Niamh McAuley go head to head alongside 83 others in a hard fought race. Holly finished in 11th place making it through to the All-Irelands and was followed by Niamh in 53rd position. Both girls ran amazingly and am sure they are exceptionally proud of themselves.
| Inter Girls | 3200m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Holly Collins | 11 | 13:00 | Ballyclare High School | 5 |
| Niamh McAuley | 53 | 15:09 | Dominican College Fortwilliam | 6 |
The inter boys race saw an influx of NBH Juniors running for that coveted place in the All-Irelands. In a field of 116, Eoin McConnell was triumphant for the harriers finishing in a well-deserved 8th place ensuring his journey to the All-Irelands. Following closely behind were his St Malachy’s teammates, Lorcan McCann, Ryan Donaldson and Dara Cassidy helping St Malachys claim the final All-Ireland spot in the team competition.
Also racing was Saul Thompson representing Trinity College and finished in a very impressive 43rd place, with a time of 18:45. Well done everyone.
| Inter Boys | 4800m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Eoin McConnell | 8 | 17:14 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 3 |
| Lorcan McCann | 21 | 17:59 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 3 |
| Ryan Donaldson | 34 | 18:24 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 3 |
| Saul Thompson | 43 | 18:45 | Trinity College | ————– |
| Dara Cassidy | 72 | 19:46 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 3 |
The final female race of the day saw two junior harriers, Emily McRitchie and Orlagh McComb battle for success. Both ran amazingly within a very tight and experienced group of young athletes. Emily finished in 10th position with a place in the All-Irelands and Orlagh in 46th position with an amazing time of 16:22. Well done ladies.
| Senior Girls | 3200m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Emily McRitchie | 10 | 13:42 | Belfast High School | ————– |
| Orlagh McComb | 46 | 16:22 | Trinity College | ————– |
Last, and by no means least, it was the turn of the senior boys. Competing in this tiresome 6,400m course were the boys from Belfast Royal Academy (BRA), Hugo Reilly-Stewart and Oscar Purvis as well as Declan McGinley of St Malachy’s College. The BRA boys raced home in 6th (Hugo) and 11th (Oscar) position, both securing a place in the All-Irelands. And congrats to Declan who helped St Malachy’s College to a very impressive 4th place in the team event, just missing out on the coveted 3rd spot.
| Senior Boys | 6400m | |||
| Name | Position | Time | School | Team Position |
| Hugo Reilly – Stewart | 6 | 22:02 | Belfast Royal Academy | ————– |
| Oscar Purvis | 11 | 22:30 | Belfast Royal Academy | ————– |
| Declan McGinley | 63 | 28:33 | St Malachy’s College Belfast | 4 |
Well done to everyone who ran. Amazing results all round.
London Mini Marathon
Following the magnificent success at the Ulster Schools’ Cross Country Championships, three of our Juniors, Cormac Leheny, Cassie Curran and Leila Jones have been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the London Mini Marathon which takes place in April. This is a massive achievement for each of them and their success will surely inspire their fellow club athletes.
Congratulations to you all and we wish you every success come April.
Stormont XC 2024
On Saturday 10th February the focus turned to the Stormont Estate in Belfast, not because our MLA’s had decided to get back to work, but because some of our Junior Athletes were taking part in the 2024 Stormont Cross Country Event hosted by NI Civil Service AC. The event is part of the Athletics NI Cross Country League and one that some of our Junior Harriers had high hopes for success.
This year saw 4 NBH entries in the Junior Boys/Girls U13 – 2km race and one soloist in the U17 3km race.
Well done to everyone who competed. Your results were staggering, and you did your club proud.
Special mention goes out to Cormac Leheny who finished top of the podium in the U13 boys and Eoin McConnell who finished 2nd in the U17 boys category.
Junior Boys U13 – 2Km
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
| 1 | Cormac Leheny | North Belfast Harriers | 06:19 |
| 17 | Luke O’Shaughnessy | North Belfast Harriers | 08:00 |
| 19 | James Oshaughnessy | North Belfast Harriers | 08:06 |
| 22 | Pearse Leheny | North Belfast Harriers | 08:34 |
Junior Boys U17 – 3km
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
| 2 | Eoin McConnell | North Belfast Harriers | 09:14 |
Park Runs
On Saturday 10th February we had 8 Junior Harriers taking part in the 5k park runs at three different locations. Congratulations to Holly Collins who was the first female across the line at Sixmilewater with a fantastic time of 19:47. Well done.
Waterworks Park Run
| POSITION | PARKRUNNER | GENDER | AGE GROUP | CLUB | TIME |
| 15 | Thomas COY | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 20:47 |
| 18 | Alex REID | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 21:27 |
| 39 | Isaac MOONEY | Male | JM10 | North Belfast Harriers | 23:22 |
| 62 | Eimear O’REGAN | Female | JW11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 24:36 |
| 84 | Orán STEELE | Male | JM15-17 | North Belfast Harriers | 25:41 |
| 119 | Nola RAFFERTY | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 27:23 |
Sixmilewater Park Run
| POSITION | PARKRUNNER | GENDER | AGE GROUP | CLUB | TIME |
| 3 | Holly Collins | Female | JW15-17 | North Belfast Harriers | 19:47 |
Citypark Park Run – Craigavon
| POSITION | PARKRUNNER | GENDER | AGE GROUP | CLUB | TIME |
| 12 | Franky Mooney | Male | JW11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 19:55 |
Waterworks Junior Park Run
On Sunday 11th February, 9 Junior Harriers took part in the 2k Junior Park Run at the Waterworks.
Our young Harriers dominated the day taking the first 5 positions with Lucas Mooney leading home the boys with a time of 07:53 and Nola Rafferty, the first female across the line and setting a new PB with a time of 09:13. Well done everyone.
| POSITION | PARKRUNNER | GENDER | AGE GROUP | CLUB | TIME |
| 1 | Lucas MOONEY | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 07:53 |
| 2 | Isaac MOONEY | Male | JM10 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:26 |
| 3 | Tom MCLOUGHLIN | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:44 |
| 4 | Thomas WEINIGER | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:47 |
| 5 | Nola RAFFERTY | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 09:13 |
| 13 | Eva MCLOUGHLIN | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 11:14 |
| 15 | Aoife LEMON | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 11:43 |
| 19 | Betsy TAYLOR | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 12:25 |
| 21 | Sophie WEINIGER | Female | JW11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 12:40 |
Upcoming Events
East Coast AC, in association with Athletics NI, have announce details of the next two Junior Cross Country races which are aimed at promoting junior athletics.
The next race takes place on Sunday 18th February at Larne Grammar School with the last race taking place on Sunday 3rd March at Sandy Bay playing fields. Registration and further details can be obtained here.
Message to parents
There are currently six volunteer authors who take turns in writing the Junior Report each week. We hope that this proves useful and that the kids enjoy reading it also.
We try and capture the main events before writing the report, such as local Parkruns, major XC events etc. however, we cannot be aware of every running event that all of the kids take part in. This includes schools XC where the clubs aren’t mentioned.
Therefore, if your child has participated in a running event and you wish for them to be included in the weekly report, please send the relevant details to the WhatsApp group “NBH Girls Model” or “NBH Boys Model” along with any photos you may have. The information will then be passed on to whomever is writing the report that week. Thank you.
Club reminders
Can we remind parents to keep an eye on the group chats before heading to training as there is always the possibility of late cancellation due to Met Office weather warnings.