by Perri Williams
The juvenile All-Ireland Cross-Country is always an exciting time of the year. I remember in my own juvenile days, going to races in far flung counties – the further away the better as it meant an overnight stay. For juvenile athletes in the dark days of 1980s Ireland that was like a trip to the West Coast of America. Just a few things have changed since then; the courses have got easier - more groomed, the distances are now longer, county teams now qualify, and the cross-country season is now condensed into the small window of September to December. For many it means six championship races in nine weeks.
Today’s juvenile athletes are our future. It is important in the growing times of recreational running that we try and maintain some talent in the field of competitive athletics. Children thrive on a healthy competitive sport and surprisingly many who do cross-country often enjoy the experience despite thinking otherwise. It was for me, some of my fondest juvenile memories, even though I was a track athlete.
We have u12,14,16 and u18 this weekend in Enniskillen. The u18s will compete in the same race as the u20 athletes. Their first foray into the bigger competitive zone. Many of us are already familiar with some of the outstanding juvenile names, all of whom will be present this weekend. Let’s take a look at what we might expect from the juvenile races.
U18 Girls and Boys
Some of the big names in this age-group have already been mentioned in the context of the preview for the u20 race. Expect to see Caolan McFadden (Cranford), Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge) and Noah Harris (Parnell) to race for the top three places. McFadden had an impressive win over Enniskillen’s Harry McKenzie at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Championships last month. These two athletes were over half a minute clear of Finn Valley’s Odhran McBrearty. McFaddan won his own age group in 2023 with Noah Harris 2nd and Cillian Gleeson 3rd.The biggest danger here could come from Cillian Gleeson who despite not yet running this season is rumored to be doing extremely well at training. Harris has already proved himself, with his second place in the Autumn Open and will have learnt some strategic lessons from that race. Finnian Lawton (Durrus) was impressive in the Munster Championships and could improve a few places on his position in 2023. Certainly one to watch as he improves each year.
The girls u18 is going to be an interesting race. Emily Bolton, now running in the Clonliffe colours has put herself out there this year, racing against the older u20s and proving her ability. She was the winner of her age-group in 2023. A race that saw Emer McKee not finish, despite being her two weeks previously. It is hard to see anyone match Bolton this year. St Peter’s Dearbhla Allen, like Bolton has put herself up against the older u20 athletes and finished 3rd in the Autumn Open. She was an impressive winner of both the u18 and u19 Leinster Championships and should be a contender for a podium place. Another athlete to look out for is Eva Bartlett. Making a move from St Senan’s to Lagan Valley, she has made huge strides this year and could produce a surprise run which might see Anna Diver (Beechmount) and the Willowfield pair of Olivia Morgan and Emily Morris battle out for the bronze with Bartlett.
U16 Girls and Boys
Charlie O’Neill (Donore) will be the main contender here. The invincible Dublin man has been firing on all cylinders this past year, with a lightening finishing speed. Kyrell Mtinsi (Kilkenny City Harriers) has not produced the form he showed in 2023 as he battles with injury, however he has been showing some improvement of late. Rory Armstrong (Lagan Valley) looked strong in the NI and Ulster Championships, and he stormed home ten seconds ahead of Evan Tosh (Ballymena and Antrim). In Connaught Ciaran Constadine (South Galway) took the gold and would hope to improve on his 5th place last year, especially as Mtinsi and Will Duffy (St Abbans) have not shown good form in their provincial championships. A name to watch out for is the u15 athlete Ethan Bramwell (Greystones), who produced a double in the u15 and u16 Leinster Championships. Do not be fooled by his stooped run, he has powerful endurance. Luke Merrigan (Leevale) is another athlete that might just make an impact on this race.
The girl’s race should see another Renton twins (Westport) celebration. Freya and Holly, the Connaught 1,2 looked impressive in both their provincial runs, and will no doubt alight the Castle Irvine Estate with their Giselle like presence over the fields. Madison Welby (City of Lisburn) seems like the only other athlete that might divide the two girls as she did in 2023. Her NI and Ulster win over Emma Stewart (Dromore) certainly demonstrated her intent for this year. Emma Haugh (Ennis) was an easy winner of the Munster Cross-Country, winning both in and out of her age. It will be interesting to see if the improvements she has made this year have primed her for a medal position. Another lady to have shown enormous improvements this season is Rachael Keaney (Newbridge). Keaney glided over the terrain in both Dunboyne and Tinahely to finish well clear of the field and with very little wind being taken from her sails.
U14 Girls and Boys
This years boys u14 is predicted to produce results that are considerably different from last year. Darragh Whelan (Limerick) was a class apart at the Munster u15’s in Tramore, having improved drastically from his u14 race in Conna. The double Munster Champion was an easy winner of this year’s 1500m All-Ireland track and field. While Oisin McBride (Cranford) was also an impressive winner at the NI and Ulster u14 Championships, he is going to have to work harder if he wants to take the gold from Whelan. Eoghan Looney (Blarney/Iniscarra) was close to Whelan in Conna and I expect him to feature in the top few athletes. Leinster’s Jack Brennan (Newbridge) should feature in the medals for the first time as he outran last year’s 4th placed athlete Daniel Greene (Kilkenny City Harriers).
Local athlete Kate Kelly (Enniskillen) will want her share of gold on home turf. The NI and Ulster Champion was ten seconds clear of Aine Smith (Car AC) but Nellie Bateman (Belgooley) and an vastly improved Lily Walsh (Mullingar) will have to be contended with first. Up there too is Connaught champion Roxanne Sands (Moy Valley) who was one place behind Kelly in 2023. The local audience might prove a catalyst for Kelly, just as it did for Caolan McFaddan when he took his first National title on home soil in Donegal two years ago.
U12 Girls and Boys
It is always hard to predict an outcome for the u12 race. Most of these athletes are starting out on their athletic journeys. Harry McVeigh and Donal Devlin (Keep ‘er Lit) almost dead-heated at the NI and Ulster Championships. McVeigh took the bronze in 2023 and will be hoping for an upgrade this year. Connaught champion Phillip Griffin (Claremorris) could be peeping in there for a look at the podium. A very impressive run by Tom Doherty (St Josephs) in Dunboyne is an indication that the Kilkenny man means business this year. He certainly has demonstrated plenty of consistency in both his endurance and speed. The Munster champion Ronan Geaney (St Catherine’s) will be hoping to upgrade his 2023 silver to gold this year. James Howlin (MSB) might just want his say too.
Grace Tighe (Moy Valley) the Connaught champion took gold in 2023 and will be looking to retain her title. This year it might be a different battle on her hands as the McMullan twins, Síne and Saidhbhin (Mid Ulster) and Marianna Osojca (Annadale) looked unphased as the top three NI and Ulster athletes in their recent championship race. Síne McMullan could be in the hunt for a top three spot. So too might the Leinster Champion Fianaith King (Dunleer) who ran clear of Lucy Molloy (Dundalk) at the Leinsters in Dunboyne. Grace Foley (Sligo), Crea Moore (Limerick AC) and Aisling Groarke (Middleton) are also athletes to keep an eye on.
With juvenile athletes, particularly the younger ones, things can change so much in a few weeks let alone a year. A fall on the course, a cold mid-week, even pre-race nerves can radically change performances. One thing for sure, expect exciting races in Enniskillen.