NI and Ulster Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships 2024 – Stranorlar, 2nd November 2024
The annual trip to what we all know as the best county in Ireland, Donegal, for the NI & Ulster Uneven XC championships. 34 Junior Stags made the journey to what is always an excellent event run hosted by Finn Valley AC. The weather held out and even though there was still a decent amount of mud and puddles, it was in pretty good condition compared to previous years. The mild dry day with no wind led to near perfect race conditions and our juniors didn’t disappoint.
The juniors all gave it their absolute best which was evident for those of us spectating and coupled with some great running, 12 of the Juniors subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland Uneven Finals in Tramore, Co Waterford on Sunday 1st December so congratulations to all of them.
However, it just wasn’t the medals and All-Ireland qualifications that were the takeaway positives, but the teamwork, support and smiles among all of the juniors that made this event a success for all of those taking part.
Big thanks once again to Seamus and Davy and all of the coaches for being there on the day to help set up the club tent, allocate race numbers and help with warmups and support.
Below is a summary of each race and who participated but the full detailed results can be found here via this link that shows times as well as team and county placings, beside each athletes name, if you click on the grey arrow, you will also be able to watch a video clip of them crossing the finish line: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/ni-and-ulster-uneven-age-group-novice-cross-country-championships-2024/#12_A6F482
U11 Girls
Sophia Doris (10), Jessica Murray (43), Annie Cullen (64), Eva McLoughlin (67), Ellen Cullen (72), Eimear Campbell (77), Annabelle Boyd (81)
Great to see such a large contingent of girls take part in this race and the camaraderie among the girls before, during and after shows what a great group they are developing into. Many more races for these girls to experience going on this. Congratulations to Sophia on a 10th place final and therefore qualifying for the All-Ireland Final in Waterford as an Ulster qualifier. A large field of 87 runners and the girls all held their own.
U11 Boys
Milo Purvis (46) and Isaac Mooney (50)
A more modest number of boys participated in the boys U11 with Milo and Isaac running hard in a field of 78 runners. More valuable experience for these two young runners who are getting stronger week by week, only a matter of time before they’re at the forefront of these races plus they can race this event again next year so watch this space.
U13 Girls
Nola Rafferty (63), Olivia Boyd (68), Eimear Coy (87), Erin O’Regan (88), Sophie Weiniger (92), Eva Murray (96), Phoebe Reid (98) and Lucy Cronie (99)
Not to be out down by the U11 girls, the U13 girls had 8 runners in this race in a packed field of 100 runners in total. Special shout out to Nola who took a bad fall in the early stage but undeterred got back up on her feet and continued on, great spirt by Nola and all of her teammates. Between the U11 girls and this squad, its so encouraging to see so many girls representing the club!
U13 Boys
Cillian McLoughlin (18), Tanoj Reddy Yakkanti (30), Dualta McGleenan (49), Pearse Leheny (57) and Thomas Weiniger (61)
The 5 boys in this race ran a good solid consistent run in a field of 72 runners. They pushed each other along and more good experience for this group of boys who continue to progress. For most of the race the boys ran in a good pack, a yellow vest was never too far from another and that certainly helped them all cross the line in good positions.
U15 Girls
Leila Jones (4) and Eimear O’Regan (47)
From the start of this race Leila set out her intentions quickly and was among the lead pack. She finished in an excellent 4th place despite this being on paper a difficult U15 category for her after running U14 in Comber 2 weeks previously. Leila finished 1 second behind 3rd place and 23 seconds ahead of 5th place. Cue automatic qualification for the All-Ireland final
Not to be outdone, Eimear also ran a strong race and this has also being rewarded with her qualifying for the All-Ireland final as part of the Antrim county team that finished in first place. Well done girls, can’t ask for much more than that from both of you.
U15 Boys
Cormac Leheny (5), Thomas Coy (8), Ruarcc Sheridan (34), Alex Reid (53), Tom McLoughlin (56)
This group of boys have been running together now for a good few years since they were tots and it showed in this race as they ran as a TEAM! All five boys pushed hard and all knew a team podium was up for grabs and they did just that claiming the 3rd place bronze team medals. Well done boys, those years of training and racing together paid off and great example to the younger kids. Congratulations to Cormac and Thomas for the top 12 Ulster qualification as well. Roll on the All-Ireland final in December.
U17 Girls
Niamh McMillan (34)
A good solid run by Niamh in what was a very fast paced race as our sole representative, well done Niamh and great experience.
U19 Girls
Emily McRitchie (9)
Superb run by Emily who qualifies as an Ulster team qualifier for the All-Ireland final. A fast paced high quality race and Emily was match for those around her to get that top 10 finish!
U19 Boys
Eoin McConnell (6) Oscar Purvis (14) and Saul Thompson (20)
The 3 boys all scored for the 2nd placed Antrim team and well done to Eoin and Oscar for qualification as part of the Ulster team for the All-Ireland in a few weeks time combined with Saul qualifying as part of the Antrim team. Great running by all three boys.
2km Waterworks Junior Parkrun – Sunday 3rd November 2024
Well done to the five juniors who ran the Junior waterworks parkrun on Sunday and a massive well done to Max for finishing in first position and with a PB and also a big shout out to Katie-Louise and Owen who also bagged themselves new PB’s!
| Max McCurdy | 1 | 8:21 |
| Katie-Louise Goodfellow | 9 | 9:33 |
| Ronan O’Neill | 24 | 11:03 |
| Fola O’Kane | 25 | 11:10 |
| Owen White | 35 | 12:24 |
The Junior Parkruns are a great way for the juniors to put their training to the test in a friendly environment. If you haven’t registered yet, then please check out the following link:
home | Waterworks junior parkrun | Waterworks junior parkrun
Future Events
Malcolm Cup – Sunday 24th November 2024
The Dub playing fields hosts this annual XC event with races for U13, U15 and U17 boys and girls races. This might be a good event for any Juniors not attending the All-Irelands either side of this date. £3 entry per child. Further details and entry via this link: SiEntries – Malcolm Cup XC
Training
Training as normal every Tuesday and Thursday at Girls Model track from 6pm
As we are now training in the dark Winter nights, please make sure the kids are warmly kitted out for training. It would be great if any parents can help the coaches set up and take down the mobile flood lights, sure it will warm you up rather than standing around getting cold!