City Take First NI Senior Title

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City of Derry Celebrate Historic Win

Photo: Cathy McDermott

City of Derry created history when it became the first from the Northwest to lift the Ulster/Northern Ireland Senior Men’s Cross Country team title at the cold and windy University of Ulster playing fields in Coleraine.

Although the Derry club’s men had won Ulster senior championships before it was the first time the Spartan men had triumphed against the top Northern Ireland clubs in what is now a joint championship.

It was also the first time the NI title had gone out of greater Belfast since Ballydrain Harriers from Comber in County Down were victorious in 1973.

Diarmuid Grant was the leading City finisher in seventh place.  Now based in Belfast and studying at UUJ, Grant showed great maturity and determination throughout the race to inspire his colleagues to their greatest ever cross country team victory.

Colin Roberts returned to top form and ran his best race of the winter to take 11^th while Allan Bogle followed just two places back to lay the foundations for an emphatic team win.

Aaron Doherty looked relaxed throughout to claim 16^th with John Lenehan following up his great run in the recent NI Junior Championship to take 19^th.

Diarmuid Grant (36) Leads From Eventual Winner Joe McAlister (Photo: Bill McLeod)

Cork man Ciaran Hurley turned in a fighting last lap to overhaul Gregory Roberts for the crucial sixth and final scoring spot in 20^th.

When the team scores were City of Derry had 86 points, 22 clear of defending champions Willowfield who pipped Annadale Striders by three for the silver medals. 

Neighbours Letterkenny for whom Pauric McKinney finished in second individual place overall behind St. Malachy’s Joe McAlister took fourth spot.

Earlier City of Derry’s Anne Paul had turned in possibly the performance of the day to take second place in the women’s championship.

Expecting nothing better than a top six spot, the 42-year-old defied the years and the worst of the weather to force her way through to second at the line behind defending champion Jill Shannon.

In her clubmate’s wake Hannah Shields showed her herself to be equally adept over cross country as the Himalayan slopes or Arctic wastelands by finishing ninth.

The sisters Jackie McMonagle (22^nd) and Paula McGilloway (34^th) battled hard to complete the City scoring quartet.

Anne Paul (Photo: Cathy McDermott)

With the team weakened by the absence of several key runners, City mentors were surprised to learn that the Spartan women had actually managed to squeeze into the bronze medal position. 

Again Letterkenny finished fourth with Lagan Valley retaining the team title and Abbey occupying the runner-up placing.

City Ladies (Photo: Bill McLeod)

Results - NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships