The cross-country season is officially underway this weekend at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown for the 10th Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival. 12 Raheny Shamrocks athletes descended on to the National Championship course on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Abbotstown. True to form, Raheny Shamrock A.C. was the second most represented club across the board, bringing a massive contingent of 12 athletes to take on Abbotstown’s undulating loops.
With underfoot conditions looking good, the going was fast. Raheny’s senior and masters runners handled the technical course with their usual trademark grit.
Facing off against top-tier master runners from all four provinces (and visiting international fields), the squad pushed hard across every master age category—hunting down vital finishing points and staking their claims for Irish international vests next month.
In the Senior men’s race a very solid run from our own John Patrick Burklow in 28.09.
In the women’s masters race Fiona Roche took a podium spot coming in 3rd in 22.17 alongside Kate Purcell in a near forth spot in 22.21. Great runs also from Annette Kealy 24.07, Zoe Quinn in 24.14 and Meghan Roberts in 25.21.
In the Female 65 category huge performance from June Comiskey hitting a 28.56 in 10th position.
In the men’s masters standout performances from all our Raheny athletes who raced. Men’s times are below over a tough 5 loop 7.5k course.
Ciaran McCarthy 27.28,
Ian McConkey 27.50,
Phil Behan 31.13,
Ken Doyle 35.06,
Michael Traynor 37.01.
Winter XC season is officially here. Huge well done to all who raced !
