It was another remarkable weekend for Ace AC as several of the club’s athletes competed at the Schools’ National Cross Country Finals, the final cross country event of the season and one of the most prestigious fixtures on the schools athletics calendar.
Ace AC athletes who qualified through the North Leinster and then Leinster Championships represented a number of secondary schools, producing outstanding performances and securing two individual medals in the senior races.
The senior girls race featured a unique situation as three Ace clubmates competed against each other while representing their respective schools. Fourth year student Chloe Cooney and sixth year Eimear Cooney ran for Sacred Heart, while fifth year Sholah Lawrence represented Greenhills College. All three athletes have trained together throughout the season with Ace AC, making the head to head battle on the national stage an unusual one.
In a superb performance, Sholah Lawrence produced one of the runs of the day to finish fourth in Ireland. This was an outstanding achievement in a race where the top six athletes receive national medals. Chloe Cooney also ran strongly to secure an excellent 23rd place finish in a highly competitive field. Eimear Cooney made a fast start but was unfortunately forced to retire early in the race due to illness.
The performance of the day came in the senior boys race where Ace AC athlete Lorcan Forde Dunne delivered a superb run to win bronze over the gruelling 6km distance. Running for St Mary’s Diocesan School in Drogheda, Forde Dunne battled throughout a fiercely contested race to secure third place in Ireland and a place on the national podium.
Lorcan’s performance also played a key role in a fantastic team result for St Mary’s Diocesan School who secured silver medals in the team competition. The team’s success had a strong Ace AC influence with club athletes Shea O’Donnell, Fergus Nolan, Eoin O’Grainne, Ruairi O’Grainne and Jamie O’Reilly all contributing to the impressive silver medal winning performance.
Elsewhere over the weekend Ace AC athletes were also in action at the Irish Universities Indoor Championships. In form Danny Nugent delivered another strong performance in the 3000 metres to secure a bronze medal, adding another podium finish to the club’s impressive weekend. Adam Russell also competed well in the 400 metres.
Meanwhile eight year old Finn Murphy secured a new personal best with a strong seventh place finish at the Balbriggan Junior Parkrun.
