The Curragh hosts the Leinster cross-country performance squads
eave Caffrey (St Coca's) ìs now reaching the ranks of Seniors
The buzz from the World Championships in Tokyo is lingering in the air. A constant talking point in many conversations with the names Kate O’Connor and Cian McPhillips cropping up on almost every occasion.
Ireland can be pleased with the overall performance of the 29 member team (our largest ever). Many of the athletes providing huge inspiration for a nation of athletes and running enthusiasts back here in Ireland. While most of the athletes who competed in Tokyo will now take a well earned rest, some of the distance runners will turn their attention to Cross-country, road racing or marathon running.
Take for example Efrem Gidey, a week after his Tokyo appearance over 10,000m he was on the start line for the Rathfarnham 5 mile race in Dublin, last weekend. A race he duly won.
The international attention has however turned to the World Para Championships which are in New Delhi. Ireland had three athletics representative and took home two gold medals: Orla Comerford in the T13 100m and Greta Streimikyte in the T13 1500m. Comerford took not only the gold but did so with a new record.
Back in Kildare the main focus for the past week once again turns to road racing as the Naas town 5km and 10km (amongst other races) attracted 664 participants. Michael Comer (Celbridge) took won the overall 5km race with Katie Williams taking the ladies victory. It was Cian Connolly (Naas) who won the men’s 10km and Molly Hyland the ladies event.
Moving to Cross-Country, the Curragh played host to the third of the Leinster Juvenile Cross-country performance squads with over 100 athletes from across Leinster and Dublin taking part. All very opportune as the Championship season kicks off this Sunday with the Kildare County Cross-country.
This Sunday the Kildare Cross-Country Championships season will makes its official 2025 opening. Tir Mona AC will host the 2025 inaugeral cross-country event which consists of the Juvenile even age championships along with Novice and Masters Ladies and Men’s events.
Starting at 11am with the u10 girls, the county championships are an important occasion for many of the young athletes, the first stepping stone for what could be an All-Ireland appearance.
In 2024 Kildare clubs collectively did very well amassing several Leinster and National medals with many individual and county and club team finishes contributing to the grand haul. The u10s will run 800m, while the u12s will take on the championship recommended distance of 1,500m. As the age groups go up, so too do the distances with u14s taking on 2,500m and the u16s running 3.500m. The u18 girls will run 4000m while the boys go 1000m further.
Novice and Master men will run 4000m and the ladies will compete over the shorter distance of 3000m. The novice as always attracts many club athletes and promises to be a competitive affair. Look out for athletes like Iris McCartan (Clane), Matthew Ennis (St Coca’s), Robyn Browne, Alex Guther and Jack Brennan (Newbridge) along with scores of other young hopefuls as they compete for individual and club honours.
The following week (October 12th) will see the uneven ages and the intermediate compete for the honours. Clubs have all been preparing for these championships in their own way. From training in fields, roads, the Curragh and even club leagues. Now its time to just what improvements training has made.
Some of the juveniles have already had some cross-country racing under their belt having competed in the Newbridge AC event over a week ago. The Dublin Schools Cross-Country ensured a few more athletes kick started their season. Isla Corcoran representing Mount Sackville won the First Year race with her twin sister Aobh finishing in 5th place. Both are Clane AC.
The Dublin Marathon is just four weeks away and the road racing scene continues to contribute to the preparation for many of the intended participants. One of the biggest road races in the past week has been the Rathfarnham 5km where 1.289 finishers crossed the finishing line in times that ranges from a rapid 13.49 upwards.
The winner was Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe) who not only took the top spot on the podium but also broke the course record. This victory came on the back of his World Championship appearance in Tokyo where he competed over 10.000m. The first Kildare man home was Colm Roche (Celbridge) who recorded a time of 15.35. Gillian Clyne (Clane AC) was the third lady over 40 with a time of 18.44 minutes.
Closer to home runners took to the streets of Naas last weekend for the Naas 5km and 10km road race. Celbridge were once again to the fore as Michael Comer took the individual 5km victory in a time of 17.33 minutes. A total of 346 participants finished the 5km race while 318 completed the 10km. Cian Connolly (Naas) crossed the line in 36.09 to secure victory in the 10km with Rob O’Brien (Naas) just eight seconds adrift. Third place went to Anthony O’Rourke Lakeshore Striders (Wicklow).
The third Leinster Cross-Country Performance squad took place at the Curragh last Saturday with several athletes from Kildare clubs being invited to take part. These squads offer those athletes who finished in the top 12 at last years Leinster Championships the opportunity to get together and train with the best from Leinster (including Dublin).
An integral part of the juvenile performance pathway, it has been a great success with over 100 athletes attending for each of the three days. The Curragh provided the ideal setting with plenty hills, trails and sweeping wind – hallmarks of any day of cross-country running.
It was good to see athletes from a variety of Kildare clubs make these squads and it is hoped to continuing offering these to our future champions as a stepping stone to perhaps their future international careers. Athletes from St Coca’s, Clane, Newbridge and Naas were amongst those selected.
