by Perri Williams
Tramore Racecourse, Co. Waterford is the venue for this Sunday’s 123.ie National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships. Given the standard of excellence in the Juvenile even ages and Seniors in Castle Irvine (Enniskillen) almost two weeks ago, we can expect another thrilling series of competitions.
A total of 1646 juveniles are scheduled to run over five boys and five girls’ races; u11.13.15.17 and 19, with the u11s kicking off at 11am. The novice ladies have a start time of 14.40pm with the men scheduled to start at 15.10pm.
Our top pick for the Novice men’s individual title is Thomas McStay (GCH) who finished 15th in the National Seniors two weeks ago. McStay will be followed by Eanna O’Bradaigh (DSD) with challenges from An Riocht’s Oisin Murray. Other athletes to watch out for will be Nenagh’s Daniel Ryan Ellis and Cian Hodgins along with Jamie Battle (Mullingar).
On the ladies’ side, Celine Gavin (Donore Harriers) looks like a strong contender. Gavin finished 17th at the recent Senior Nationals. She will face a challenge from Alex Murphy (Suncroft) who has had somewhat of a revival of her juvenile career. Eimear Maher (DSD) could also feature on the podium. Other athletes who will be there or thereabouts are Hannah Kehoe (KCH), Nessa Rielly (Dunleer) and Sophie Jackman (St Senans).
The novice is always a hard one to predict for teams as the top three individuals and winning club and county team is eliminated from future novice competitions. This means that last year’s champions Craughwell will be without William Fitzgerald (who has been selected for the European Cross Country) and Oisin Davis. Also not racing is Jamie Fallon leaving Sean Cotter to head the team. The men from the west will have considerable work to do to get into the medals again this year. A Dublin team is bound to feature in the top three too with Eanna O’Bradaigh likely to bring the DSD team up the ranks. Nenagh Olympic with all their athletes running well could mount a challenge for medals as will Finn Valley if their number three and four can back up Sean McGinley and Oisin Toye with a good run. The novice race also features double Olympic gold medal winner Paul O’Donovan who despite being down the field is likely to attract some attention. The ladies’ team is wide open this year with DCH and Leevale heading the bill.
The juvenile races will see many athletes who featured well at the even ages and juniors expecting to once again head the fields. The u19 girls will be missing Eva Bartlett (Lagan Valley) who has been selected for the European Cross Country. However, there are plenty of talented young athletes who have potential to challenge for the title. Dearbhla Allen (St Peters), Lorraine O’Connor (Clonliffe) along with Saoirse Twomey (West Muskerry) are our podium predictions for the u19 girls. Eimear Cooney (Ace) and Jodi Foster (Willowfield) could also be there with a chance.
Caolan McFadden (Cranford AC) has proved his versatility on both track and cross-country. With Noah Harris selected for the European Cross Country this leaves the title right in McFadden’s lap. Others to watch out for are Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge AC) and Diarmuid Moloney (Nenagh), Ruairi McEvoy (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Finn Diver (Beechmount Harriers AC). McEvoy who is the younger brother of Irish International Shay McEvoy has improved immensely this season.
The u17 race should see Harry McKenzie (Enniskillen) create some excitement as he finished 8th in the Junior race on home territory. As somewhat of a revelation this season, McKenzie will definitely want to put his mark on that gold medal. The much-improved Harry Cahill (Donore) could find himself facing his first climb to the podium after a spectacular run in the u18 race in Enniskillen. Odhran McBrearty (Finn Valley) is not an athlete to discount neither is Ciaran Constidine (South Galway) and Charlie O’Neill (Donore) who were first and second in the u16 race in Enniskillen.
The girls u17 will feature Megan Brunt (Blackrock) who had the race of her life when she finished 6th in the junior race two weeks ago will be a favourite to take the u17 title. Brunt was also second to Eva Bartlett in the u18 race. Just three seconds behind her came Emer McKee (Willowfield). McKee is used to facing a top three expectation and each year has a dual with Emily Bolton, winning her own age group in 2023. Expect to see an interesting race between these Brunt and McKee in Tramore. Ana Diver (Beechmount) will be hoping for a podium finish based on her result from the Junior/u18 race. However, Emily Bolton (Clonliffe) who did not have her best race at that venue will seek to avenge her defeat at the hands of her peers.
Elsewhere in the juvenile races the u15 event will see Darragh Whelan (Limerick) attempt the double after his amazing 200m victory in the boys u14, two weeks ago. He will have to get past Ethan Bramhill (Greystones) and Adam Noone (Templeogue) first. The now famous Renton twins Freya and Holly (Westport AC) who were first and second out of age (u16) will be firm favourites for the u15 race. Freya has been unbeaten since u11.