Mallusk  XC

The City of Belfast Playing Fields played host to the Mathieson Cup & Shield organised by Mallusk XC on the 13th January 2024. 

Lagan Valley had a number of notable results and podium finishes across all the age groups. 

In the Boys Under 15 race Rory Armstrong continued his great form with a clear win followed by Katie Keown who took 2nd place in the U15 Girls race. 

In the u17 Category the girls were led home by Chloe Young with a great 4th place finish, just ahead of Lily Rimmer in 5th and Aoife Magee in 6th. The u17 boys continued the top 10 theme with Jude McGann in 5th and Scott Owen in 8th. 

Marianne Doherty had a brilliant run in the Senior Ladies race with a 6th place finish which resulted in her topping the podium in the U20 category. Next home for the club was Suzanne Higgins who took the silver medal in the F40 category followed by Shileen O’Kane for the top spot in the F55 race. Liz Dawson had a strong run for 12th spot in the F40 event while Kate Montgomery also made the podium with 2nd place in the F65 category. 

In the Mens race there was a great team effort from Stephen Lester (5th), Tommy Arthur (6th), Ben Gillen (22nd) and James Askew (24th – club debut) resulting in them taking 3rd place in the mens Team race. To top off this brilliant team result Stephen and Tommy took 1st and 2nd in the Mens U20 race. Ciaran McKenna also had a solid run for 48th in a large Senior Mens field. 

The masters Men continued the clubs success with a brilliant 1st place for Philip Brines in the M60 race followed by Ian Bailey in 9th and Trevor Wilson in 13th. Fred Hammond came home a strong 5th on the M70 category while Keith Dawson was 11th in the M40 and Richard Edwards 4th in the M55.

This was a fantastic turn out for the club, well done all.