Gerry Brady

30 March, 2011

There is a link to the race results on the event details page.

A new course for the schools and a tough one on Three Rock: a steep initial road climb for around 500 metres, followed by a relatively flat off-road stretch for 200m and then another steep 400m climb up the bone-shaker (named by bikers!). A long road descent before going out for another lap or heading for the finish.

Holly Ni Riain (Colaiste Iosagain) was a comfortable winner of the junior girls race and led her school to the team win. Liam Mac Giolla Phadraig (Colaiste Eoin) finished fifth in the recent Irish schools cross-country championships and that was sufficent for him to win the junior boys race convincingly.

The intermediate and senior girls races started together and intermediate Sorcha Nic Umfraidh (Colaiste Iosagain) and senior Meghan Ryan (Colaiste Iosagain) battled all the way to the line with Meghan winning by one second. This was an excellent performance by Sorcha as she was challenging the bronze medalist in the Irish schools senior cross-country race. Both of these girls will be hoping to make the Irish Youths team for Slovenia in June. Harriete Robinson (Jesus and Mary College) ran well to take silver in the senior race.

Killian Mooney (Colaiste Eoin) finished fifth in the Irish schools cross-country and second in the British and Irish international mountain race last October. That form was good enough to give him another mountain title. James Alexander (CUS) and Kevin Power Kelly (St. Benildus) raced side by side and their battle was sufficient to keep them within one minute of the winner's time. This represented a good improvement by James who is well-known in IMRA races. Brian Carolan (St. Benildus) led his school to victory in the senior boys race.

Thanks to the athletes and their teachers/managers and to the super efficient volunteers who made the day run smoothly.