Running the rule over Ireland’s top young talent

THE country’s most exciting young middle distance running talent compete in the All-Ireland Schools’ Cross-Country championship at the Cork IT campus today (noon).

The senior boys’ race could produce the contest of the day if Munster champion, Shane Quinn (De La Salle, Waterford), faces Leinster counterpart, John Travers (Inchicore VS), in a repeat of last Sunday’s national junior championships. The pair were battling it out, head to head, in the Phoenix Park when the Waterford man, son of the Olympic steeplechaser and Irish record holder, Brendan, dropped out.

Ciara Mageean, who has been smashing all of Sonia O’Sullivan’s age group records, will be hot favourite for the girls’ senior title when Eimer Black (Dominican, Belfast), Rachel Campbell (Belfast RA), Máire Aíne Ní Shuilleabhain (Gaelcolaiste Ceatharlach), the Leinster schools champion, should be contesting the minor placings.

Orla Farmer (St. Mary’s, Midleton) could be the one to follow Mageean home when she returns to the scene of her Munster championship success. Her coach, the legendary Irish steeplechaser, Liam O’Brien, is one of the organisers of the event and huge home support will drive her on.

Last weekend the junior women’s race at the Phoenix Park ended in controversy when it was discovered that winner, Siofra Clerigh-Buttner, was under the lower age limit for juniors and was stripped of her medal.

Tomorrow she will be back in action for her school, Colaiste Iosagain, and the 14-year-old appears certain to claim the junior title.

The Intermediate boys should provide the most competitive race of the day with twins Andrew and Patrick Monaghan (St Colman’s Newry); Adam Ingram and Leinster Schools’ champion, Stephen Attride (Knockbeg College), all contenders for the title.

Amy O’Donoghue (Villiers School Limerick), a niece of the former two time world indoor champion, Frank O’Mara, was very impressive in the Munster championships and could have the edge on Emma Mitchell (Banbridge High School), Claire Brennan (Castleknock Community College) and Ciara Hewson (Maynooth Post Primary School).