Local schools show their class

Long Tower’s Christopher McLaughlin extended his unbeaten local streak to the provincial stage by winning the NI Primary Schools League Final and he was followed across the finish line by Shea McDevitt of Hollybush PS to post an impressive local one, two in the 1000 metres race.

In the team race St Eithne’s PS led by 7th placed, Ryan Doran wan brilliantly to claim team silver medals behind Downhire PS and the Broadbridge PS pair, Robert Coyle and Fintan Stewart further underlined the class of the local schools with good runs for 8th and 9th overall.

The girls’ race also produced medals for the St Patrick’s PS squad. Kerri McCallion in 8th place overall led the way to team bronze with support from Toni Harkin, Aimee Logue, Rebecca and Emily McKinney and Teresa Callaghan.

Aoife Laverty of Thornhill College was the local star in the Secondary schools championships, running well for individual silver in the minor girls’ race. Aoife’s fine effort unfortunately was the only podium place achieved by the local schools in a high class series of races but there were several other good runs which qualified individuals for the Ireland finals.

St Joseph’s teacher Gary Murray was in Dublin’s Phoenix Park last Sunday and came away with the individual bronze medal in the National Senior cross country championships at Phoenix Park. Murray finished behind Clonliffe’s Mark Kenneally and Gary Thompson of Galway City Harriers as Clonliffe headed Raheny and DSD in the team standings.

Finn Valley’s Theresa McGloin was 7th in the women’s championship won by DSD’s Linda Byrne and the Dublin club took the team honours from North Belfast Harriers.

This weekend Stormont hosts the British Masters Cross Country championships and there will be significant local interest with City of Derry Spartan Roisin Lynch hoping to do well in the F60 age group standings. The former St Cecilia’s PE specialist damaged her hamstring in her bronze medal run in Roscommon a few weeks ago but hopefully she’ll be ready for Saturday.

Sammy McAnaney and Dermot Connolly will try their luck in their age group and will be joined on the line by other Spartans Masters in what should be a top class championship.

Finally the Gransha grounds will host the first local 5k race of the year on Easter Saturday 3rd April. Organised by Paula McGilloway on an annual basis this one has an 11am start time with entries taken on the day on site.

A few weeks later the popular Furey Insurance 5k series kicks off, on Wednesday 3rd April at Bay Road. There will be the usual 7.30pm start for this one and the success of last year’s race on the revised Bay Road course has been recognised by Athletics NI who have again rewarded championship status to the event.

More details on both these 5ks in next week’s Sentinel Sports.