Ballyclare and Gransha – A Weekend Of Racing In Lesser Spotted Ulster
A report by Terry Tullian
Team Photo
Newcastle AC was well represented at the McConnell Shield at Six Mile River Park Ballyclare on Saturday 9th November. This race is one of the traditional events in the NI Cross Country Calendar and it encouraging witnessing increased numbers participating once again. With 166 ladies and 172 men taking the start line, it would appear that Northern Ireland Cross Country is recovering from the general malaise that has undermined the great work carried out by those responsible for promoting and organising great events week in and week out. In a race won by City of Derry’s Declan Reed, David McNeilly was the first Newcastle finisher in 20th place, leading by example once again. As ever David O’Flaherty was not too far behind in 26th and ‘Hen’ made his sixth visit of the week to County Antrim and was rewarded with a solid run and a credible 63rd overall. He was followed in fairly rapid succession by P, Damien McDaid and ‘The Prophet’ who all packed well in the top half of the field. Jerome Farrell completed the scoring for Newcastle in 158th place and continues to improve with each outing.
Think of a number, and then pin it on upside down!
The Prophet is regrettably did not manage to pin his number on correctly and was lambasted by his colleagues for his silliness: a tad unfair after his good work in the week in getting Aidan brown to get his gutties on again and head out for his first run since Dublin. After vowing never to run again, Brown is now wondering how he might get a last minute entry for London 2014 – another silly boy!!!
POS |
TIME |
CAT |
NAME |
CLUB |
20 |
27.40 |
M0 |
DAVID MCNEILLY | NEWCASTLE AC |
26 |
28.05 |
M0 |
DAVID O’FLAHERTY | NEWCASTLE AC |
63 |
30.28 |
M45 |
JOHN KELLY | NEWCASTLE AC |
71 |
31.06 |
M35 |
P.J. MCCRICKARD | NEWCASTLE AC |
77 |
31.27 |
M35 |
DAMIEN MCDAID | NEWCASTLE AC |
78 |
31.33 |
M45 |
JEROME MCCRICKARD | NEWCASTLE AC |
158 |
39.14 |
M35 |
JEROME FARRELL | NEWCASTLE AC |
Well done to Brendan Teer of East Down who had a smashing run, finishing 4th overall in a top class field.
NI & Ulster Uneven Age Championships
On Sunday Patrick Sheridan was in action In Gransha Park, Derry for the Northern Ireland and Ulster Uneven Age Group Championships. Running in the U-17 event Patrick finished 11th, just over a minute behind Jonny Whan of City of Lisburn. Patrick has duly qualified for the All Ireland championship final on December 15th.
The Christmas Cracker
My sources tell me that the course for the forthcoming Christmas Cracker is now finalised and Race Director Marty McVeigh will be leading the initial ‘recce’ on Sunday 24th November. He claims it is the best course set to date and ‘offers something unique for runners of all abilities’. Rodgers and McCann will once again start as firm favourites and inevitably be the team to beat! Watch this space for further details.