AAI Inter-Club Cross Country ‘07

Report by Brian O’ Connor

History was made on Saturday 10th March 2007 when Athenry AC entered a team in the AAI National Inter-Club Cross Country Championships. This was the first time that the senior section of the club entered a team in this event. The team was comprised of Mick Rice, John O’Connor, Gary Doherty, Paul McNamara and Brian O’ Connor.

Welcome!

Although a little breezy on the day, the weather conditions were fairly good and the ground was reasonably firm underfoot. The injured Mick Rice and Brian O’ Connor were never going to be at their full potential nor was our elite member Paul McNamara who, despite having done very little training of late, still put his best foot forward to join the team.

The field of 105 runners encompassed some of the best runners in the country and the spectators included Eamonn Coghlan whose son John had won the junior race.

The 12,000 metre distance on the notoriously difficult Sligo race-course proved to be every bit as gruelling as we expected with a couple of arduous hills included. This didn’t seem to deter the 2005 champion Gary Murray, the Donegal man won the race in fine style ahead of Mark Kenneally and Joe Sweeney.

Seamus

Further down the field the Athenry contingent managed to put in a good solid performance in the presence of such a depth of talent. Paul McNamara led the team in with a 22nd place finish while his club mates the injury laden duo Brian O’ Connor and Mick Rice, despite having to run a conservative race, still managed to put in quite a good performance to finish 74th and 77th respectively with both runners having enough left in the tank for a strong finish . Performance of the day for Athenry would have to go to John O’ Connor, who had a very impressive run and must have adhered to one of his favourite mottos – ‘winter miles, summer smiles’. The best is yet to come from this man in the year ahead and for Gary Doherty who put in a good solid performance to finish hot on Johnny’s heels.

As we walked and limped off Sligo race-course we could take pride in our good, honest performances and look forward to returning next year.

The Men