Spartans strike gold in team event

The Red Vests won the National Intermediate Cross Country team title.

The local athletics club also secured runner-up medals in the Inter-County Competition and two Individual Masters Medals from Christy McMonnagle and Roisin Lynch.

A rich medals haul provided rapid redemption for the men's squad after the previous weekend's disappointing loss. Team members Gregory Roberts, Declan Reed, Aaron Doherty, Emmet McGinty, Brendan Murphy and Dara Furey performed well. Roberts led with 6th spot, Declan Reed came 7th, Aaron Doherty 11th, and Emmet McGinty 23rd.

The magnificent Red Vests were comfortable winners of the Inter Club Championship.

Their combined 47 points left them well clear of their nearest rivals; top Dublin clubs Clonliffe Harriers and Donore Harriers on 72 and 78 points respectively.

Team silver medals in the six-to-score Inter County Championship were the icing on the cake. Brendan Murphy and Dara Furey completed the scoring with strong support runs. As expected, Dublin took the Inter County gold ahead of the Foylesiders and Clare.

The Red Vests last won the team title back in the mid 1990's and posted two runner-up spots, the most recent being last year in Dublin. Sunday's performance was much appreciated by all Spartans past and present. This adds to a very impressive roll-call of National team titles won this season: the Half Marathon Championship in September and the Novice Cross Country in November.

Christy McMonnagle suffered a rare defeat in the M65 Championship. A niggling hip injury disrupted his usual fluent running style. He had to give his best to Pat Bonass from Dublin, an athlete he never lost to. The M65 individual title is hopefully on loan.

A very impressive Roisin Lynch claimed individual bronze in the F60 category on her National Championship debut.

The former PE teacher at St. Cecilia's is in her first competitive season for many years and ran brilliantly on Sunday. The gold and silver medallists were not too far ahead of the Spartans and will be in her sights from now on.

Jacqueline McGinley produced her best run for a very long time. She looked good in the very competitve F40 age group.

In the men's, Sammy McAnaney wasn't too far from a medal in the M50 category. At M55 level Peter Kilburn also had an impressive outing.

Simon Herron was competting for the University of Edinburgh at the Scottish Universities Championships in Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. A high jump win and a second place in the long jump from Simon was a solid contribution to Edinburgh's overall team success.

Mallusk hosts the Ulster Schools Cross Country Champinships today with a significant local interest. The finals of the NI Primary Schools League involves local pupils and will precede the Secondary schools race programme. Good luck to all the young athletes in action.