Category Archives: Junior

Little Acorns, Grow Mighty Oaks

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On Saturday, it was the sowing of many of the little Newcastle AC acorn seeds that took place in Comber.

The Junior squad were out in force at the Ulster and NI Even Age Group Cross Country Championships at Billy Neill Country Park, Comber. This year’s squad had pledged that they were going to put Newcastle AC firmly back on the XC map after a quiet few years off the racing circuit. With many of our Juniors getting a taste of XC at the Flahavans Primary School League earlier this month, the race buzz has been infectious and 25 of the Junior Squad, ranging from 8 to 18 toed the line beside the best young athletes in NI.

With hope that it was impossible for any more rain to actually fall from the sky after a total soaking since mid week, the dull clouds gathered over Comber and just as the first race was about to kick off, the rain didn’t take time to come down, ensuring it didn’t miss any of the 56 runners in the U10 girls race.

Yet many wet and questionable mornings at Castlewellan Parkrun played to the advantage of young Emily Kerr as she powered around the course to take a fantastic 14th place. With experience, there is no doubt that this young lady will grow in confidence and excel on the muck, the road and on track. Continue reading →

McVeighs make their intentions known at Armagh XC

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Report by Siobhan Grant

The Cross Country Season kicked off in Armagh at the end of September. A notoriously windy and undulating course.

Whilst the Newcastle AC seniors were warming up, it was our Junior members who got out on course first and tested the ground for them.

Moving up an age category this year to U11, Harry McVeigh ran a solid race from the front, only to be pipped at the post in the final 50m to take third place. As a junior within this category, he still has another year within the odd age group category to build further on his accomplishments. He was shortly followed by brother Connaire Og who held his own and ran a smart race to take 9th place. Both boys followed two days later at School Trials on Bunkers Hill to take 1st and 2nd place over the tough course to qualify for the Flahavans Squad.

Up next, Maisie also progressed into the older age category at U13. At this age range, one year can make a huge difference to times, as the juniors mature at different rates. Yet Maisie took her experience and applied it to every step of her race to secure 7th place. Again this will stand by her and is a great marker for the International and Ulster Even Age Group Championships at the end of October.

Young Harry shatters Portrush Parkrun U10 course record

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With the cross country season kicking off imminently, the young McVeighs are hard at work testing the legs on all terrains to try to give themselves an extra edge this season.

With Maisie at the North Coast for her final session with the NI Flavahans Endurance Squad over the Portstewart sanddunes, the boys took the opportunity to test their legs on the first beach Parkrun worldwide which is run entirely on sand.
Nine year old Harry, set off as if he had been running on sand his whole life. Emerging from behind men and women at least twice his size, to gracefully glide across the sand at a phenomenal speed, followed by Daddy Connaire who was heard in coach mode, encouraging the youngster on.

Crossing the line, smashing the long standing Junior Under 10 course record by over a minute in 20.20.
There was whispers heard across the finish line of the North Coast destination of who was this little boy. They knew they had witnessed something special from a young athlete destined to achieve great things. This year he will get the opportunity to line up with his brother at the Flavahans School Cross Country League where he will finally get to make his mark on the big stage and for the club he’s off to Armagh next week.

Older brother, Connaire Og knew he was on holiday and took the opportunity to part take in a bit of a dualathlon by literally testing the water on route several times. Even with his easy pace and embracing a more scenic and wet route he crossed the line in a very respectable 25.21.

One reporter and coach has a feeling that this year she will be writing a lot about the great achievements of these young boys across all competitions and will also enjoy the positive energy, dedication and smiles that both boys bring to training each week. Their enthusiasm is infectious and rubs off on those around them.

They even found time to build sandcastles after their achievements this weekend whilst little sister Tilly showed her ability to move just as fast as her big brothers and make a clean break for the water.

Report by Siobhan Grant