Victory for Kilrehill and Quinn in a Thrilling Autumn Cross-Country

by Perri Williams

The Autumn Open and Juvenile Relays at Abbotstown today did not disappoint. With good numbers in all races and the perfect racing weather, it was a cross-country experience for everyone.

One of the most impressive performances of the day was from u20 athlete Sean Quinn (DSD). The u20, senior and masters’ races were all run together with the u20s finishing one lap earlier. Quinn along with fellow u20 athlete Noah Harris (Parnell) and Senior Sean Tobin (Clonmel) led the race after just 1,000m with a slight gap to Keelin Kilrehill (Moy Valley). Kilrehill  gradually worked his way to join them over the course of the second lap, keeping a consistent pace thoughout. Harris was dropped at about 4km, leaving the trio to take control of the third lap. It was Quinn who injected the pace around the 5km mark bringing Kilrehill with him. The u20 men broke away from the seniors coming down the long straight to the finish, to complete their respective 6000m route. Quinn finished strongly with a 22 seconds lead over Noah Harris in second. Lughaidh Mallon (UCD) finished third after a race to the finish with David Williams (KCH). A delighted Quinn stated afterwards “I felt good, I felt I strong and decided to give the pace a shot and it worked”. The u20 men are particularly strong this year with many more potentially coming into the mix in an attempt to make the Irish team for Euro Cross.

Kilrehill for his part continued his lonely journey for the final 2,000m of the Senior 8,000m race. He crossed the line in 23.51, some twenty-five seconds clear of Sean Tobin in second. Spain’s Isaac Hirshmanchandler finished third in 24:20. For Kilrehill he retained the title he won last year but with much more ease, suggesting he is in good form ahead of the nationals next month. However, he knows only too well that many of the main contenders were absent today. Some training at altitude in France while others are at their own respective training groups abroad. With so many athletes in good shape it will make for a very interesting nationals.

Cathal O’Rielly (KCH) was the first of the u23 athletes’ home in a very respectable sixth place. O’Rielly who competed in the Euro Cross in Dublin as an u20 athletes, was just outside the selection by one place last year. He will be hoping to overturn that disappointment this year.

The senior ladies race was won by England’s Sophie Tarver who finished 13 seconds ahead of Ide Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick A.C.). From the offset it was Tarver, Lauren Tinkler (KCH), u20 athletes Dearbhla Allen (St Peters) and Emily Bolton (Clonliffe) along with Fiona Everard (Bandon) and Amy Greene (Finn Valley) who set the pace. Tucked into that group was Nic Dhomhnaill and Cheryl Nolan (St Abbans). Mid-way through the second lap four athletes had the slight edge; Taraver, Nic Dhomhnaill, Everard and Tinkler. DSD’s Emma McEvoy bridged a small gap between the leading and chasing group. The third lap changed somewhat as the u20 athletes made their way to the finishing line. Cheryl Nolan (St Abbans) had made a good recovery to chase down the top group and move into fourth place, passing a fading Tinker in the process. Nikkta Burke (Letterkenny) was not letting the race get away from her and remained close behind Nolan. It was a race to the line with Burke taking the fourth spot just two seconds ahead of Nolan. Up front Fiona Everard had moved to third behind Traver and Nic Dhomhnaill.

The u20 ladies may have been swallowed up somewhat by the seniors in the second lap of their 4,500m race but this did not take from their outstanding performance. Emily Bolton now wearing the colours of Clonliffe Harriers never gave up trying to regain that ground and took the top u20 prize. Bolton had a twenty-five second lead over England’s India Barnwell with Dearbhla Allen in 3rd. Bolton is still u17 with Allen u18, demonstrating the degree of their talent.

Masters Races

The master’s races were competing for the Jim McNamara. The ever-youthful Michael Harty (East Cork A.C.) certainly proved his forty-four years are no barrier to success as he took the men’s race with a time of 25:03. It was Fiona Gettings (Longford A.C.) who took the ladies 6,000m race in a time of 21:37. With places for the home countries international up for grabs there was everything to race for across all age categories. Athletes will no doubt be waiting earnestly for selection announcements.

Senior Mixed Relay

Dublin City Harriers may have been the runner’s up in last years mixed relay but they left no stone unturned this year. The team of Niamh Carr, Pierre Murchan, Jodie McCann and Philip Marron recorded 17:53 to defeat Dundrum South Dublin by 11 seconds. Both teams will now qualify for the European Club Cross Country Relay Championships in Portugal in February 2025. Raheny Shamrocks finished third.

Juveniles Cross Country Relay's

The numbers in the juvenile relays were phenomenal this year. Thirty-five teams contested the girls u11 making it the highest number of the day. Ratoath took the gold from Finn Valley and Metro St Bridgets. St Cronan’s overcame a strong challenge from Finn Valley to take the boys u11 title. Finn Valley took away an impressive array of medals, going on to win the girls u13 and bronze in the girls u15. 

The mixed relays produced lots of excitement with Leevale getting the better of Waterford AC on the final leg of the u17 event. The u14 mixed relay saw Kilkenny City Harriers, Blarney/Iniscarra and Dundrum South Dublin battle out for top honours. The decision being only made on the final leg with Dundrum South Dublin taking the gold.

There was nothing like the excitement from Middleton girls u15 as they cross the line for gold. With their faces carefully adorning the club colours, the team got off to a good start and kept it going throughout all stages, breaking away from Mid-Sutton and Finn Valley over the final 200m.