Click here for more photos of the 2014 Novice B
13 athletes represented the club at the above championships hosted by Coolquill AC and taking place at the Presentation Covent in Ballingarry – 8 ladies and 5 men, which was great to see. Equally good to see was the continuance of the ladies to medal at County Championships which is no easy feat as our men only know too well such is the strong competition from all quarters of the County.The ladies raced over 3k and over such a short distance nothing can be left to chance. With an out and back course it was very much a tactical race and Lorraine Healy kept with the pace throughout. Heading back on the uphill stretch the leaders got slightly away from Lorraine but to her credit she fought back particularly over the final 400mts to reel them in but the finish line came too soon and she finished third overall with just seconds between first and third with a time of 12.34. Next home was Patricia Ryan who finished in 9th place in 13.08 followed by Leah Brett in 13th in 13.26. These three ladies combined to finish third in the team championships. Trish Campion finished in 14th place with a time of 13.35 while Aisling Maher followed her home in 15th in 14.05 with Breda McNamara 16th in 14.43 and these three ladies finished fourth in the club competition. Catherine Dunne finished 17th and Liz Power 18th in 15.18 and 15.33 respectively. Well done to all the ladies concerned with everyone who competed having bested their times from the Novice A also held over 3k and on a much flatter course.
The men raced over 6k and again the course provided some stiff running particularly in the homeward stretch. Jody Sweeney made it into the top 10 with a 10th place finish in 22.08. Following him home was Paddy Doyle who finished 16th in 22.57 while Patrick Bowe finished 27th in 24.30. These three combined to finish 6th in the team competition having tied for 5th but beaten into sixth on count back. Ray Power finished 32nd in 25.38 and Mark King 37th in 28.16. Again well done to all the men for their commitment especially as they are up against the stiffest of competition every time they compete.
