What an outstanding result from the Junior girls today in Waterford in the All Irelands. In absolutely atrocious weather conditions, the race set off as 12:30 with our team of Tiana O'Leary, Eleanor Kiernan, Ashing O'Reilly, and Lucy Duggan.
The girls had to negotiate a steep muddy course over two laps of this 2500 m race. Tianna was still recovering from a niggling injury and Aisling was still very much under the weather because of a recent chest infection, not the ideal preparation for an All Ireland. All four girls ran a very intelligent race. Tiana bided her time running in the top 10 all the way around until the last 600 m. Coming up the steep slope towards the end of the race, she made a very smart move and brought herself from tenth to fifth place, thus ensuring a place on the Irish junior Cross country team. Remember, Tiana is just over the age for minor and is one of the youngest in the junior category. Eleanor was not far behind her and again showed her experience by working through the field and finishing in a fantastic 16th position. Eleanor, is a minor and to finish 16th in the junior race is a brilliant achievement. Eleanor is the only member of the team eligible for the junior category next year and will run as a junior next season. Our next girl home was Aisling. Her finishing position was one which made a massive difference. Aishling worked her way through the field and along with the other two girls gave us the points to bring home the bronze medals. Our fourth scorer was Lucy, who ran a very good race to finish in 63rd position.
Cross country is all about a race within a race. We have our individual runners competing for podium finishes and international team places. We also have team members helping each other to win team medals. Today, the girls were rewarded with both a team medal and an international place for one of their teammates.
Many thanks to the parents and teachers who came along to support and spectate.
A special mention also for Emily Davidson, one of our stars from track and field, who brought home a silver medal after jumping well over 5 metres in the recent Munster indiors track and field.