In the first road race of the season North Belfast had a successful day at Albertville 5 mile road race. Alan O’Hara, after leading from start to finish, had a superb victory while the men retained the team prize and Cathy McCourt won the womens race. Michael Fitzpatrick had a strong race to finish second North runner while Conor Curran, in his first race in the club vest, closely followed him. Alan Ritchie was next with an 80 second PB. Next up …
At the Indoor Championships North had several competitors. Catherine McNicholl in her first 800m ran well as did Conal McCambridge in his 800m race. Rebecca Marquess ran the 200m and finished mid field. Emma Doherty in the senior 3000m walk finished third 1 sec outside her PB again another good result. Alan Ritchie ran in the senior 800m finishing 2sec ouside his PB.
The Junior section of North was well represented at the Armagh Races this week. Aime Bradley won her age group 01 – 02. Damian Marquess came a very good 7th. Jack O’Dwyer-Henry showed good promise and is getting better with every race. Rebecca Marquess gives her all in every race she enters. A new girl, Catherine Grace Donaldson ran her first race for North did very well in the 3rd race. Malachy McKenna, Conal McCambridge and Ben McConnell had very good results …
The Irish Masters was held at Santry this year on what would normally have been a nice grassy course however, after several days rain and preceding age group races it developed into a quagmire. North had sent a 0/50 team to contest this ctegory and conditions seemed to suit. In the four man team competition John Patience, Jim Newberry, Lawrence Johnston and Matt Shields won bronze. In the related county competition the same four plus Greg McClure and Karl Dynes from Willowfield …
The Northern Ireland junior, intermediate and veterans cross country took place today at stormont with firm conditions underfoot due to the frosty weather. Highlights of the day for North were Cathy’s victory in the ladies vets race, team bronze in the mens vets race and Conor Magill’s fourth in the junior race. First up were the vets. We had a strong team in with good medal prospects. Eamon White finished 7th, Neil Carty 11th,Michael Fitzpatrick 14th, Laurence Johnston 29th, John Patience 31st, …
Yesterday was the Joe Seeley 10K the major road race of the Winter with a field that reflected that status. The race is run annually in commemoration of an athlete whom I can remember running against over 30 years ago. A great athlete and a gentleman. North had a superb day with a lot of personal bests. In the men’s race Allan O’Hara and Conor Magill finished 4th and 6th with PB’s two excellent runs. The six man team who came second …