Roisin Wins & Double Gold for D.S.D Novice Teams

Roisin Treacy turned in an impressive display of front running, to claim the win at the Dublin Novice Championships yesterday in the Phoenix park.

Roisin led a dominant DSD team to an equally impressive team win.  She moved into the led after 1K of the 4K race and stretched into an unassailable lead.  Roisin was followed home by Emily Witham who ran a great race to place 3^rd.  Abbie McBrearty, still a junior, turned in a positive run on her first cross country race in the DSD colours finishing 5^th .  The team win was secured by Isabella Tomkin Beddy in 9^th, Caoimhe Naughton in 10^th and Sarah Colton in 24^th.

Following the Women’s outstanding team win, the pressure was on the Men to perform and they weren’t to be found wanting. It was a tight battle against arch rivals Clonliffe for the team title and with some strong running in the final kilometre of the 6K race the DSD team prevailed.  John Neville, Gavin Callery and Tommy Palitzer joined the front pack early on and were matched by three Clonliffe athletes.  As the race broke apart in the final mile, three athletes moved away , including the lead Conliffe runner, with John and Gav giving chase.

Over the course of the final lap John and Gav ran strongly to secure 4^th and 5^th place, Tommy rallied well to come home in 7^th, Clonliffe had runners in 3^rd, 6^th and 8^th so one point separated the teams with one runner left to score.

DSD’s 4^th man was Lochlann Hannon, who started into the final lap one place down on the 4^th Conliffe athlete. At this point DSD and Conliffe were tied in the team race.  Lochlann maintained his focus and ran an exceptional final lap to take four places and finish 11^th securing the team win for DSD.

The DSD scoring was rounded out with Fionn Neville 20^th, George McGilton 26^th, Patrick Elliot 36th, Cillian Chambers 47^th  Kevin Power Kelly 81^st .

A successful opening to the Cross season on a sunny day in the Park.

(Thanks to Donal for report, and to Lindie for photos)