Local clubs deliver in Dublin Novice C’ships

By Stephen Leonard

RATHFARNHAM WSAF, Sportsworld and Donore Harriers figured strongly in this season’s Dublin Novice Cross Country Championships in the Phoenix Park.

For the former, Clare Sullivan turned in a fine performance to take the women’s title after remaining among the leading group right from the off and producing a late surge to the line.

Likewise clubmate Robert Murphy kept pace with the leading men’s pack before his strong finish earned him second position.

His performance was important in seeing the Rathfarnham men’s team taking gold ahead of Raheny Shamrocks and Crusaders with Eoin McLoughlin (eighth), Donagh Powell (12th) and Neil Bolger (13th) also playing their part.

Sullivan led the Rathfarnham ladies to fifth place with Lynne Hennessy coming home fifth, Suzanne Ryan 22nd and Una Rice 56th.

Sportsworld meanwhile took first place in the women’s team competition with Helen and Noreen Brouder finishing second and third respectively with Kate Kelly 20th and Margaret Crowley 28th.

Their performances were enough to see their club emerge top by eight points in this section ahead of closest rivals Raheny Shamrocks.

Competition hosts Donore also saw some of their members record notable performances with Alma Hanevy finishing up sixth in a field of 74.

Niamh O’Neill, making her first appearance in the adult cross country competition, came home 11th while Sinead Finn and Amy Dodd took 21st and 33rd positions respectively.

Their performances were enough to see Donore emerge fourth from the women’s team division.

The men just missed out on a podium placing them-selves, finishing fourth after being led home by Rossa Hurley in third.

Luke Boland came home in 14th with Phil Hennessy and Patrick Byrne in 19th and 22nd respectively.