McGrady Cross Country Series Roars To Life

Rain does not dampen enthusiasm as McGrady Financial Services Cross Country Series roars into life. Report by Joe McCann The torrential rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the many young athletes who turned up to register for Race 1 of the 2011-12 Newcastle AC and East Down AC Cross Country Series, proudly sponsored by McGrady Financial Services.  The coaches turned up at 11.45 to begin marking the course, setting up the entries and were greeted with a downpour.  Eugene McCann remained philosophical, ruminating on the sudden precipitation before exclaiming, ‘it might fair up.’  Everyone knows that this man is famed for his sagacity, but on this occasion he got it horribly wrong! The tent was alive Meanwhile back in the tent Lauren and Libby were flat out dealing with all the problems associated by taking entries; adults, who really should know better, attempting to pay the £1 entry fee with a £20 note and claiming their printers were broken, thus rendering them impotent in trying to download the required entry form.  These excuses would not be tolerated in school and I now know where children get them from!!!  The girls dealt with all these issues stoically and remarkably by 1.15pm everyone who wanted to enter was entered. [caption id="attachment_30135" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Caolan Hawkins demonstrating perfect running style on his way to winning the P7 boys race."][/caption] McCann gets it wrong Conditions were extremely wet under foot by 1.15pm coaches McCrickard and McComb led the 100+ brave athletes around the warm up lap.  However, spurred on by a knowledgeable and appreciative crowd of spectators the youngsters were buoyed into life and each and every athlete ran extremely well in the demanding conditions.  It was around this time that Squire McVeigh, protected by an umbrella that could have covered Connecticut, arrived to supervise the proceedings and no doubt proffer advice on how things ought to be done.  Recalling my sore arm from the run earlier in the morning (and the phrase ‘there’s plenty more where that came from’), I must now point out that Audey’s contribution was most welcome and we are eternally grateful for his continued support. A family affair The Brannigans were, as one might expect on such an occasion, out in full force. Ian set up the entry tent, organised the entries, collected the money, encouraged the runners as they waited to begin their races, aided Captain Pugwash (AKA Frank Morgan; his mighty dapper yellow rain-proofs were only challenged by the electric blue two-piece modelled with considerable panache by the equally salubrious Billy McNeilly) at the finish line, assisted in the distribution of the medals, deconstructed the entry tent and processed the results electronically. It was difficult to determine at the end of the proceedings if Ian was soaked by the rain or sweating from his strenuous exertions over a two hour period.  His brother Damien was equally helpful, but aside from munching on an apple, no-one could tell me precisely what he had done.  Suffice to say his rainproof jacket was not tested! Perhaps next week more will be known, a potential injustice may be rectified and this fine upstanding man will have his good name restored. I dread the day when Mr B is given power of the keyboard and the ability to be equally creative in his musings!!! A plethora of fine performances to celebrate The racing itself was superb from start to finish and all athletes are to be commended on their determination and perseverance. In the opening event, Giacono Ballocchi pipped Ronan McVeigh to win the P4 and under boys’ race, while Lucy Morgan of East Down was a convincing winner of the girls’ race.  There was a double for Newcastle in the P5 races; Conor Murray overcame a strong challenge from Andrew Watson and Morgan Steele to record a win, while Eve Kennelly overcame fierce competition from East Down athletes and recorded a well deserved victory. In the P6 races Ben McGuigan produced a storming display of front running to lead from gun to tape and Ellen Boyd was equally impressive as she recorded the second win of the day for East Down.  Caolan Hawkins, uncharacteristically led from the front and did not need to avail of his lightning sprint finish as he held of the challenge of Gabriel Corrigan in the P7 boys’ race and there was a first for the series when the finish marshals could not separate Michaela Quinn and Sarah Dougherty on the line; both girls were awarded joint first place in the most exciting finish of the afternoon. Ross McCrickard was the only Year 8 male competitor and pitted his wits against the older competitors in the Year 9 boys’ race, giving a good account of himself in the process.  East Down had a depth of talent in the Year 8 girls’ race, returning four of the first five, with Aoife Cochrane narrowly pipping Sarah Greene for the win.  James Magennis and Eilis Doyle recorded a double for Newcastle in the Year 9 event over three laps of the course. The final race of the day saw former Down Schools’ Cross Country champion Patrick Sheridan produce a master class of high intensity metronomic distance running to cover the 2200m in 7:30.  He was followed home by Patrick Erskine who would surely have won the award for the best facial expressions while running, had such an award been on offer. Dearbhla Magee was equally impressive in winning the girls’ race in 8:49 while Ellen Finnegan made a welcome return to racing and finished strongly. A word of thanks to everyone involved in making the day a huge success, despite the inclement weather.  A lot of work is needed prior to the event and much has to be done after the competitors collect their belongings and set off for home.  There are many unsung heroes in the background who work tirelessly to make events like this happen.]]>