28th
Oct 08RECORD REPRESENTATION
FOR CITY OF DERRY?
City of Derry looks set to have its biggest
ever representation at the British & Irish Masters’ Cross-Country
International next month after impressive performances by the
club’s older runners at the trial in Dundonald.
No less than seven City athletes could possibly be named later
this week for the annual match between the Home Countries and
the Republic to be held in Swansea on November 15.
Declan McCarthy (photo here)followed
up some excellent form to finish eighth overall in the trial
for the Northern Ireland teams and seal victory in the M45 age
group. Dermot Connolly also looks sure to make the trip after
finishing fifth in the same category in 17th overall and Gerry
Duddy may also have done enough with a sixth place finish.
However, Gerry Lynch (photo here)will
not have to sweat after a convincing victory in the M60 trial.
Malcolm McCausland could also get a nomination for the M55 team
after a fifth placing in the age group bringing the number of
City men in action in Swansea to possibly five.
With Jackie McGinley already pre-selected for the F40 women’s
team the pressure was on Bernie Ryan to join her on the plane
to Wales.
The Muff woman did not shirk the challenge and produced one
of her best runs ever over the country to take second in the
F45 listings and is almost certain to gain selection.
Up front North Belfast Harrier Morwood, enjoying an Indian summer
in his athletics career, floated through the mud and rain on
the demanding five mile course around the Billy Neill Soccer
Centre at Dundonald to win by 25 seconds.
The performance capped an incredible year for the 38-year-old
optician in which he has enjoyed the best form of his life on
road, track and cross-country.
Behind Morwood, second place went to last year’s winner and
leading M40 Steve Cairns who was timed at 28 minutes 17 seconds
with Annadale clubmate Mark Wright third in 29:20.
Newcastle’s Alwynne Shannon was an equally emphatic winner of
the female Masters’ trial easily seeing off the challenge of
debutant Cathy McCourt. Shannon, now in the F45 category, put
to use all of her mountain running skills to secure a 36 seconds
margin at the finish line.
Another mountain specialist Shileen O’Kane took third and was
the leading F40 competitor. The other two category awards went
to Marie-Therese Speight (F50) and Jeanette Burton (F55).
Several other contests were decided within the race. Fred Murdoch
(M65), Michael Spotswood (M75) and Bertie Grimason (M75) were
winners of the men’s older age group trials while Roberta Dornan
was first in the women’s open race and Brian Barron got the
better of James Speight in the Youths’ competition.
The season of surprises continued in the Senior Men’s race.
Owen Carleton took a leaf out of the book of club colleague
Paul Pollock who had beaten both Gareth Turnbull and Joe McAlister
in the past month to outsprint Northern Ireland & Ulster
champion Brian Campbell for an unexpected victory.
Malcolm
