Category Archives: Club Notes
Mighty McVeigh’s Make Their Mark at the International Armagh Road Races
Flahavans Primary Cross Country League and Ulster Schools Final
McGrady and Lennon lead a high-class field home in a cracking cracker
Castlewellan Christmas Cracker 2023 by Bogusboy
The annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker has become part of the lexicon of athletes and occasional runners across Northern Ireland and is now as much a part of the festive season as turkey, mince pies and the visit of the big fella with the red suit and the white beard. The enthusiasm generated by the event is evident in the quick sale of the 750 places available for teams of two soon after they were released in October. Invariably, situations change and teams are changed as illness, injury or other commitments take priority. Notwithstanding these vagaries of life, the market town was awash with colour as the minutes counted down to Uncle Frank’s whistle to set the masses on their way. 651 teams completed the course and the positive feedback testified to the hard work that had made the event happen.
Last year’s mantra was stun ‘the legs and play with the mind’ and we were left to wonder what tagline would characterise the 2023 version. In the end it was declared that ‘keep them wondering and bite hard at the end’ was an apposite summary for what unfolded. Phrases like ‘Jimmy King’s ground is under 2 feet of water’ did little to assuage the fears of the small number of those with a glimmer of an idea as to where the course would potentially go. Continue reading
Newcastle Juniors shine at National XC Championships
Race Report by Siobhan Grant
Over 130 miles away from home, at the tip of the North West of the island, local Newcastle AC Junior athletes, Maisie Mc Veigh, Saorlaith McAleenan and Connaire Og McVeigh made the trip to Donegal to take part in the 123.com National Cross Country Championships at Rosepenna Golf Club.
After securing 9th place in qualifying at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Championships in Comber, Maisie was selected to represent Ulster in the Under 12 girls race.
Toeing the line against the best runners on the whole island of Ireland on a blustery and bitterly cold Sunday morning, Maisie put in a strong race, pacing herself well and holding her own in amongst a field of 160 runners finishing in 55th place, 7th Ulster runner home.
She was joined by club mate Saorlaith McAleenan, who with still a year to spare in this category and the same unwaivering love for Bunkers Hill that her friend Maisie has, had qualified for the County Down squad. Forever learning, race by race and training session after training session, applied those lessons to her race plan. Saorlaith elegantly strode around the course to finish in 101th place. Continue reading
Ernie and Connaire on form in Dublin
On Saturday, after a two year absence, Ernie Hall and Connaire McVeigh made the trip to the real home of Irish Cross Country, Santry Demesne in Dublin for the 33rd British and Irish Masters (5 Nations) championships.
After a week of wind and rain, it was refreshing to embrace the mild temperatures and pull on the Northern Ireland vests to pit the best our nation could offer against our neighbouring countries.
After a hard fought battle at the trials in Belfast only a few weeks ago the club was proud to have Ernie and Connaire representing Northern Ireland.
Ernie was running in the V70 race. He took 13th place within his age category and helped his Northern Irish Team to take home the silver medals. Connaire, along with the full family support crew, raced a few hours later in a highly competitive race from the gun. Connaire worked his way around the 8k course in the V45 race where the NI team to secured bronze medals in the team event.
With both men bringing home the bling north of the boarder, there’s still plenty of love for cross country to be found with these two veterans.
Connaire trying to get last minute racing tips from his team mates.