National Even XC Championships 2024
Report by Jim McKeown
Let’s begin with our ladies! The U20/Junior Girls took team Gold – quite the occasion as this represents the first time in its 45 year history that the Junior Women’s team title has come north of the border. The scoring 4 included a magnificent individual 4th place for Eva Bartlett (now sweating on a pick for the Ireland Eurocross Team for Turkey) ably supported by Olivia Morgan, Isa McCarron and Chloe Young – Eva and Olivia also scored for the Antrim Team that claimed bronze – also doing their bit for Antrim were Jessica Blaney and Holly Arthur. The bonus for our Jun Ladies now includes auto selection for the Euro Clubs in Portugal in Feb ‘25 – worth noting that most of these girls have another 2 years in the U20 category which makes their achievement all the more remarkable! In the U18 Championship (run alongside the Jun race) Eva Bartlett took an emphatic win that led to another Lagan Valley team victory, courtesy of some great packing from Olivia Morgan, Isa McCarron & Chloe Young, with further support from Katie Graham, Aoife Magee, Lily Rimmer and Freya Woodhead. There was more ‘gold’ too for Co Antrim with Eva, Olivia, Isa & Chloe, while Olivia and Isa also starred for Ulster who won the Provincial U18 title.
Next up our Junior Men! The lads were defending their title from last year and ran their hearts out to claim 2nd team, enough however, to guarantee selection for the Euro Clubs alongside our U20 ladies. The scoring 4 included Frank McGrath, Oisin McGloin, Noah Kavanagh and Jack McCausland, supported by Noah Harper, Rhys McManus and Niall McAufield. However, the big story from the U20 race was the outstanding 2nd place finish by the quiet, unassuming Frank McGrath (Paddy and Peta) earning a plane ticket to Turkey in December for the Euros – I must say I found the whole thing very emotional and overwhelming! A shout as well to Lughaidh Mallon (UCD AC) on a brave 5th, with a tense week to follow re selection for Turkey? Frank, Oisin, Jack and the 2 Noahs also helped Antrim to team bronze in the U20 County Championship behind a very strong duo in the form of Dublin and Cork – Noah Harper also fashioned a provincial gold in the U18 Championship. A big mention too for the rest of our U18 boys who gained valuable experience at the top table of Irish Junior Cross Country running – Jude McGann, Scott Owen, Zak Hall, Charlie Wilson, Reuben Crothers, Daniel Keys, Sam Moffitt and Joshua Hanna.
In the U16 races, Katie Keown finished strong for 10th place (now 2nd reserve for the Irish U17 Development Squad) while Rory Armstrong finished 7th (top Ulsterman) which means he qualifies as of right for the Irish U17 Development Team for the upcoming 2025 home international. In the process, Rory helped his team of Adam Harrison, Uilleac Fitzpatrick, Ollie Hanna, Daniel Moriarty and Eoin Morgan finish in 2nd place – Rory and Uilleac also picked up further medals with Co Antrim placing 3rd in the U16 County C’Ship.
Fair to say there was also plenty of valuable experience gained by our U12s and U14s as they took those early formative steps at national level – well done 👍
Finally, a huge thanks to everyone involved in our success, especially my wingman @Neil Carty et al – none of this would be possible without your support and dedication – viva o vale de lagan 🇵🇹 ps it would be remiss not to mention Enniskillen RC for putting on a fabulous event – hats off to Eamon Monaghan and others including Mark Connolly 👍
