By Owen McLoughlin

The South Dublin Primary Schools Cross Country took place in St. Enda’s Park on April 12^th. This was the 15^th year of the event and it has grown exponentially. There were over 300 in the girls’ race and 270 in the boys. The girls’ race is the largest of its kind in the country and is hosted by Rathfarnham WSAF AC and Scoil Mhuire NS, Ballyboden. Brian Rankin has kindly given sponsorship to this event in recent years. The girls’ race was won by Zoe Ritchie with her sister Jodie in 3^rd place. This was an incredible achievement as they were running against the best children in the county. Ryan O Neill was 3^rd in the boys’ race followed closely behind by Cathal Keogh in 4^th position. Both of their performances were excellent. Cathal was first scorer for his school (Ballyroan BNS) who took the gold team medals for the first time this century and wrested the trophy from St. Brigid’s Foxrock. Ryan contributed towards team silver for his school, St. Mary’s BNS (Grange Road). Thanks to the volunteer stewards from the club who gave of their time and to the staff of Scoil Mhuire who co-ordinated the whole event. All in all it was a great occasion with soft conditions underfoot!  

Some photos!            

Cathal Keogh in the red top!

Ryan O'Neill leads out 270 boys!

Zoe Richie leads out the girls!

It was a dark , wet and windy morning in the Phoenix park for the 2018 National 10k Championships incorporated into the Great Ireland Run. The mud around the start area had more of a cross country than a road race feel. Adam Jones was seen doing what we thought were pretty pacey 1k intervals but, as it turns out, he was just rushing to collect the numbers for those who were late. It has been decided not be name and shame them here, but well done Adam!

The women’s race kicked off first. First over the line was the steadily returning to form Clare Sullivan in an excellent 12^th position. The team finished 7^th overall.

The highlight of the day was senior men’s team bronze. It was Seán Hehir first over the line for Rathfarnham WSAF AC, followed by Louis McCarthy, Eoin Reville and David Power.

Second bronze came from the Rathfarnham WSAF AC M50 team of Colm Murray, Denis Daly and Brendan Hogan.

Well done to all club participants who backed up the medal performances. The individual results are as follows:

Seán Hehir 31:02 5th

Louis McCarthy 32:36

Eoin Reville 34:44

David Power 35:48

Ciaran Aylward 36:00

Eoin McLoughlin 36:16

Peter Toomey 37:05

Colm Murray 37:07

Neil Skelton 37:14

Denis Daly 37:51(PB Whoohoo!!)

Brendan Hogan 41:06

Derek Bain 41:18

Eric Cullen 41:46

Clare Sullivan 40:20 12th

Beth Neal 44:37

Aisling O’Connor 44:04

Sue Ryan 44:13

Jennifer O’Malley 44:57

Ester Lawlor 47:43

Grainne Forde 48:22

Lian Brady 48:23

Orla Murray 48:24

Una Rice 48:57

Orla Wilson 63:49

Thanks to Shane Grehan for the photos

On the final day of competition, Sofia Hyland came 5th in the Girls U15 Long Jump with a best jump of 4.50m. The Girls U12 4 x 100m Relay team of Sophie Maxwell, Jodie Ritchie,  Isobel Burge and Claudia Manning narrowly missed out in a place in the final,  finishing 3rd in heat 3 in a time of 1:01:31. Well done to all of our young athletes! 

The 48th running of the Dunboyne AC 4 mile Road Race took place on the 25th March 2018. A quality field contained two Rathfarnham WSAF AC athletes. Both had excellent runs with Seán Hehir finishing 4th in a PB time of 18:46 and Bobby Murphy finishing 9th in 19:30. Well done to both of you.