Williams weathers the storm to take gold at St Senan’s Open

Ireland may have been shrouded in the storms of winter weather last Sunday but cross-country - being what it is - ploughed through regardless of the weather.

The 46th offering of the St Senan’s AC annual open cross-country endured the best and worst of the day as rain and wind battered down on the senior and junior athletes in Kilmacow. The juveniles, however, escaped the treachery of the elements.

Waterford AC were also smiling as they were crowned winners of the Fintan O’Sullivan Memorial Cup for the best juvenile club.

There were great numbers in the senior, junior and masters combined races, with over 30 competitors in each race braving the worst of the elements. Underfoot conditions had become considerably mucky as the men’s 7,000m race progressed, where David Williams swapped the mid-30 degree sunshine of Italy for the wild wintry elements.

He made light of the conditions and led from start to finish in what was his longest ever race over cross-country. The St Senan’s athlete had over 500 metres to spare in the end over clubmate Gearoid Long. Matthew Holland (Gowran AC) was third. These same three athletes took the top three positions in the junior race. Gowran won the men’s team prize with St Senan’s second and United Striders third.

In the masters race it was Colin Coyne (St Abban’s) who took gold with Paul Flanagan (DMP) in second and Paddy Aylward (St Senan’s) third.

The women’s race was very competitive. Last year’s winner Roisin O’Reilly was the outright winner again but not without a strong challenge from St Senan’s runner Sophie Jackman. For the first half of the 3,000m race it was Jackman and O’Reilly who led the field, breaking away from training partners Eve Dunphy (St Senan’s) and Abigail O’Regan.

With the rain and wind worsening as the women embarked upon their final lap, O’Reilly pushed the pace. A natural cross-country runner against a 800m specialist in Jackman, the UCD athlete navigated the by-now slippery conditions better to claim a convincing victory with Jackman taking silver.

This was a great race by the St Senan’s 800m runner who has, in the past, medaled at national cross-country races. Behind these two athletes, a great race was beginning to unfold. O’Regan had passed Dunphy with 1,000 metres to go but over the final 300 metres Dunphy mounted a comeback and passed her training partner. In the final 50 metres O’Regan gained back third place, which she retained right to the end.

With 11 athletes competing St Senan’s A team claimed a substantial team victory over Naas AC, with Sophie Jackman, Eve Dunphy, Charlotte Carpendale and Aine Kinsella the scoring quartet. The St Senan’s B team finished in third place and also won the Junior team.

Boys are best

The boys’ under-10, 12 and 14 races saw victories go to county Kilkenny athletes. In the boys’ under-10 event there was a terrific duel between Daniel McIntyre (Kilkenny City Harriers - KCH) and Aaron Walsh (St Senan’s). It was with difficulty that the final placing was determined. Coming into the home straight it was Walsh who had a slight advantage over McIntyre.

With 50 metres to go it was still Walsh who maintained the lead but when the St Senan’s runner slowed down as he approached the tunnel with McIntyre seized the opportunity and drew level with the local athlete.

With both athletes squeezing into the tunnel it was McIntyre who had, in fact, managed to get marginally ahead, claiming a deserved victory. Both athletes will race each other again at next week’s county championships.

The boys’ under-12 race was won by Daniel Green who was on this occasion running unattached. The former Gowran athlete had a convincing victory over Tom Doherty (St Joseph’s) who had an outstanding race. Carrigan is no stranger to victories, winning many track and cross-country titles. Like Walsh and McIntyre in the boys’ under-10 race Carrigan and Doherty will race each other at next week’s under-12 county championships.

Zak Fenton had a battle to win the under-14 title. Fenton, a member of the St Senan’s team who won last year’s Leinster under-13 cross-country title, was pushed all the way by Tramore AC stalwart TJ Flanagan. The taller Flanagan challenged Fenton on several occasions, but the newly-signed Waterford FC player Fenton fought off each challenge, winning by a margin of eight metres. Lewis Morgan (St Senan’s) had another good race and finished in third place.

There was silver in the girls’ under-10 race for Millie Walsh, twin sister of Aaron, as she made light work of the muddy course. Kate Kelly (KCH) ran well to take bronze in the girls’ under-12 race. Naas AC dominated the boys’ under-18 race just as Waterford AC managed to dominate the girls’ under-16 event. However, Eoin Aylward (St Senan’s) managed to hang on for third place as the inclement weather closed in for the latter half of the race.