It was cold and mucky in Santry Demesne last Wednesday, scene of the Leinster Schools Cross Country Championships.
The contest here is to finish in the top 15 individuals or if part of a team assist your school to a top three placing.
It is an exhilarating challenge that produces a myriad of emotions at this early stage of athletic careers and provides wonderful entertainment for interested supporters such is the passion and commitment of those intimately involved.
Five Raheny athletes got through this most competitive of challenges. Star of the show was Daniel Stone’s third placing in the Senior Boys event.
Running in the colours of Belvedere College not only did he take home individual bronze but he led his team to a magnificent team victory. Fourth scorer on the team in 27th place was Ruairi Walsh.
Belvedere have never quite managed to win the All-Ireland title.
Those with long memories will remember how cruelly they were robbed back in 2001 when the All-Ireland was cancelled because of a foot and mouth outbreak in the country.
That year too they had romped to victory in Leinster with a crack squad that was heavily expected to take the Holy Grail. It never happened so this year’s team will have an opportunity to write history on March seventh.
The third club qualifier with a fine run in eighth place was James Hyland running for St Fintan’s Sutton.
At Intermediate level Adam Condon of Ard Scoil was a battling ninth place finisher and automatic All-Ireland qualifier.
Conal Rogers was 30th and third scorer on the Belvedere team that qualified by virtue of finishing third team.
The All-Ireland is scheduled for the same venue on Saturday seventh March.
