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28 November, 2009

Mountain Running
Irish Universities Champs - Maulin Winter League
Report by Douglas Barry
The second running of the Irish Universities Championships (pics) saw a threefold increase in the level of entries. If the entry continues to rise at this rate, we'll need water cannon to control the crowds. However, for the moment and despite a beaming early spring sun, a damp cloth seems to work. Ian O'Neill was the first entrant from Ulster and proved the fleetest of a meagre turn out of 21 students.
The University of Ulster student who had never done a mountain race prior to this, rapidly out distanced his student rivals over the new 9 kilometre out and back course. O'Neill had such an excellent outing that he wound up third overall in the main race. The main race - the third event in the Winter League - was dominated by Paul Nolan (RDA) and his main league rival Trafford's Simon Fairmaner.
Nolan, Fairmaner, Mark Doyle, O'Neill, Ross Alexander, and Fergal Fitzmaurice surged away up the initial steep climb before the leveller going on the Wicklow way. At this point, Nolan decided he wanted more space and pushed away from the group to drive a significant gap between himself and his rivals at the 1,850 foot summit of Maulin. With an unpressured descent, Nolan ensured he took the win to level his League points total with English visitor Fairmaner.
Fairmaner finished a comfortable second to leave everything to play for at the Tibradden race on the 18th March. O'Neill held off Mark Doyle for third with Alexander finishing fifth ahead of Fitzmaurice for silver and bronze in the University championship. In the women's race, Jane Watt took the victory in the league section with University gold going to Catherine Quinn of Limerick University.
The 1999 winners Trinity College repeated their victory in the team event from Colaiste Dulaigh in an event which failed to entice any other complete teams. However, the increase in interest from the newer colleges was evident and it is hoped to see a stronger representation from each participating college in 2001. After all, you're never to old to race, as Colaiste Dulaigh's Mike Gomm proved when making their silver medal winning team at the young age of 67.