In the Gerry Farnan cross country race at a windswept Phoenix Park, Sportsworld competitors embraced the very difficult conditions to turn out some heroic performances. As the race serves as a trial for the annual veterans (IMAA) Celtic 4 Nations cross country international (to be held in Wales this year), seniors and juniors really just compete for personal pride. For many veterans it serves as the target race of the cross country season with athletes traveling from all corners of the island.

In 30 mph winds (though a dry course with nice autumn sun), the girls were first to face the music. Won easily by Wicklow’s Olympian the class Fionnuala Britton, Aoife Brady & Eimear Martin were a brilliant 12th & 20th respectively. Both athletes have improved massively this year, with the former’s strong work ethic of 70 mile weeks combined with a full time job giving her immense strength. Both ought to be very proud
However Carol Lynch and Helen White were the biggest success story for the girls as Carols 3rd place in W60 and Helens 4th place in W40 means that they are on the trip to Wales. Well done Carol and Helen.

The men’s race was equally tough but Mullingar’s Mark Christie made easy work of it winning the 5 mile cross country in 25.12. However the day belongs to Ed McEntee who battled all the way to secure a place on the M40 Ireland team. To the best of the author’s knowledge it’s the 1st time a man from our club has earned a green vest in any event. What makes the performance so much better is that like Jakub Splawski, he runs the Dublin Marathon next week. This would have been on the back of Ed’s mind throughout the race. Indeed there were other quality veterans watching the event that didn’t race it because of the marathon next week. Well done again Ed, you’ve done your club proud.
Other senior males that also ran were Packie Enright, Paul Duffy, Jakub Splawski & James Shanahan. All put in decent displays and the event will stand to them for the upcoming Dublin Senior and National Novice cross country races before Christmas.

Race report by
Packie Macionnrachtaigh
Place

Name

Club

Time

Category
1

Mark Christie

Mullingar Harriers

25.12

Senior
1 (18)

Mick Traynor

Raheny Shamrocks

26:57

O/40
2 (39)

Tommy McElwain

SBR

28.15

O/40
3 (55)

Ed McEntee

Sportsworld

29:20

O/40
56

Packie Macionnrachtaigh

Sportsworld

29:26

Senior
79

Paul Duffy

Sportsworld

31:23

Senior
96

Jakub Splawski

Sportsworld

34:28

Senior
104

James Shanahan

Sportsworld

36:53

Senior

Gerry Farnan results 2008
Men 5m

Gerry Farnan results 2008
Women 3m
Place

Name

Club

Time

Category
1

Fionnuala Britton

Sli Cualann

16:56

Senior
12

Aoife Brady

Sportsworld

18:06

Senior
1 (17)

Mary Hanley

Na Fianna

18:24

O/40
20

Eimear Martin

Sportsworld

18:38

Senior
2 (22)

Carmel Crowley

Bandon AC

18:50

O/40
3 (25)

Orla Gormley

Raheny Shamrocks

19:23

O/40
4 (27)

Helen White

Sportsworld

19:33

O/40
1 (51)

Joan Coyle

DSD AC

22:33

O/60
2 (53)

Evelyn McNelis

Naas A.C.

23:04

O/60
3 (55)

Carol Lynch

Sportsworld

24:42

O/60