Fantastic day’s racing served up in Santry

THE
standard of running amongst pupils and students at local primary and secondary
schools is extremely high judging by the fare served up at the third annual
Brother at Your Side Clonliffe Schools Invitational Cross Country event in
Santry Demesne.

A
total of 1,100 young athletes, representing almost 50 schools, took part in the
event, which was held in perfect autumnal conditions.

Over
150 boys and girls from fifth and sixth classes took part in the two primary
school races.

It
was a sight to behold to see these young athletes thundering down from the
start and into the first bend at the Phoenix monument to the rear of Morton
Stadium.

Ruth
Bergin, from Holy Child National School in Larkhill was the first winner of the
day, literally running away from the rest of the field and winning by over 100
metres.

Morcheen
Leonard, from St Fiachra’s National School in Beaumont, won the boys’ race.

Mary
Help of Christians from the Navan Road and St Patrick’s Drumcondra, won the
girls’ and boys’ team events respectively.

The
secondary school programme featured eight races – minor, junior, intermediate
and senior – for both boys and girls.

There
were huge fields in these races, particularly in the younger age categories.
Over 100 athletes took part in the minor girls’ race, while there were over 180
starters in the minor boys’ category, the biggest race of the day.

Battle

The
intermediate boys’ race featured a three-way battle for the best part of the
race. On the final circuit of the 3,000 metres, Killian Kirwin of St Fintan’s
High School Sutton broke away leaving Liam MacGiolla Phadraig (Colaiste Eoin)
and Liam Ashton of St Aidan’s battling it out for second and third
respectively.

Siofra
Cleirigh-Buttner (Colaiste Iosagain) was the star of the intermediate girls’
race. This young athlete has been lighting up the athletics world not only at
home but also on the international circuit over the last two years.

Siofra
was a comfortable winner leading from start to finish and propelling her school
to team victory by a very comfortable margin over Muckross Park.

In
the final race of the day, hugely talented Clonliffe Harrier Ian Guiden,
representing St Aidan’s CBS, won the senior boys’ category in fine style.

Prestigious

Guiden
drove on from just before half way to open up a commanding lead, which he never
relinquished to take a prestigious win and lead St Aidan’s to team victory.

Sean
Sheehan of sponsors Brother, accompanied by Paddy Marley, President of
Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club, made the presentations.

Mr
Sheehan also presented much-needed office equipment, from the Brother range to
the four schools that were team winners.

The
race director commended all of the schools that took part, making it the
biggest cross country event held in Santry to date. He also thanked Sean
Sheehan and Brother for their continued sponsorship of this event, which has
now become one of the highlights of the schools’ athletics calendar in such a
short period of time.

Planning
has already started for the 2012 version when the organisers aim to make it an
even bigger and better event.