Clongriffin AC athletes enjoyed a strong day at the Dublin Uneven Age Cross-Country Championships in Abbotstown last Sunday, with individual gold for Leon Merriman and team bronze for the Girls U11 among the highlights.
Leon produced a fantastic performance to win the Boys U9 race, finishing first in a field of 90 athletes. Harry Morris followed in 17th, with Conor Kirwan, Dara O’Neill, Ruán O’Rathaille, Cillian Dyulgerov, Daniele Feola and Atharv Chitkara completing the team. The boys finished 7th overall on 106pts. The morning had started with tragic news of the passing of Ciara Mageean. Ciara had famously once finished an Irish Cross-Country Championships with one shoe and Leon did a ‘Ciara’ by losing one of his shoes mid race in the mud but continued to win and become Dublin Champion.
It was team bronze for the Girls U11, who finished on 86pts. Olivia Lee led the team home in 15th, followed by Anna Eivers in 21st, Ella Pearson in 23rd and Freya Hoey in 27th. Manuela Parisi, Zadie Wilson, Alanna Rattigan and Kelly Doyle completed the eight-strong squad, with all contributing to an excellent team result. The squad will now go on to compete in the All-Ireland Championships in December, becoming the first Clongriffin Girls team to do so.
There was also a strong top-ten finish for Isaiah Patrick Ebuna, who placed 10th in the Boys U11. Renzo Biviano was next home in 20th, with Frankie Joseph White, Conor Burke and Eren Pencereci completing the team, which finished 7th on 141pts. Isaiah will now compete for the Dublin team at the All-Ireland Championships.
Our Girls U9 also finished 7th in their team competition. Salma Maimuna Floro Ali and Zoe McElroy led the way in 28th and 29th, supported by Ivy Ryan, Ella Farrell and Sia Baba-Moussa.
Max Lyons had a very good run to finish 8th in the Boys U15 and make the Dublin team for All-Ireland’s, with Senan Murphy finishing 28th. Ellen Ryan, Noemie Ntoko and Faye Galvin represented the club in the Girls U13, while Charlie Fagan and Evan Cryan competed in the Boys U13. Oscar Kenevey finished 25th in the Boys U17, and Alessandro Rampone completed the club’s results with 34th in the Boys U19.
Congratulations to all 35 athletes who represented the club, and thank you to the coaches and families for their continued support. A great effort across the age groups in the green and black. 💚🖤
