26th December saw the 121st edition of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield race. Running since 1896, the 10 mile cross country race includes 5 2-mile laps. Handicaps were devised pre-race and the first runners took off at 11am. By 1135am all runners had gone on their way. The lead places swapped in the early stages but eventually a clear leader emerged in the youngest entrant 20 year old Niamh O’Neill, her first time to race this. In the end Niamh was first home finishing in a time of 73.18 also the fastest female time.
She is the one of the youngest winners of the shield in many years and is the youngest ever female winner. In second and third places were Des Gill and Barry Potts who had ran off the same handicap and used it well, helping each other all the way. The fastest time of the day went to Ken Nugent who was 4th overall and got a time of 58.37, great to see Ken back in good race form and he was the recipient of the Tommy Hayward trophy for the fastest time. Next fastest was Rossa Hurley 59.02 and then Niall lynch in 60.01.
A new departure this year was a one lap race for some of our juvenile runners and they set off when most participants were on their last lap. Mick Bourke and willie Smith worked very hard at setting up the course in the Phoenix Park that morning. Timing and commentary also from Willie Smith and club President Iain Morrison. Handicappers were Iain, ladies cross country captain Florrie Curley and men’s captain Rossa Hurley. At the clubhouse afterwards a special presentation was made to the family of the late Matt Rudden who passed away this year and who
Was instrumental in building the clubhouse in the early 90s. A big thanks to Stephen Kelly for providing his usual hearty soup to club members and supporters afterwards . Thanks to all participants and supporters.
Race Report: Florrie Curley
Photo Credit: Frank McNally
| POSITION | NAME | FINISH TIME | HANDICAP | RACE TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niamh O’Neill | 1hr 25’48” | + 12’30” | 73’18” |
| 2 | Barry Potts | 1hr 28’13” | + 14’ | 74’13” |
| 3 | Des Gill | 1hr 28’55” | + 14’ | 74’55” |
| 4 | Ken Nugent | 1hr 30’37” | + 32’ | 58’37” |
| 5 | Stephen Dawson | 1hr 30’40” | + 18’ | 72’40” |
| 6 | Emmet Ó Briain | 1hr 31’56” | + 29’ | 62’56” |
| 7 | Neil Hand | 1hr 32’16” | + 22’ | 70’16” |
| 8 | Amy Moriarty | 1hr 32’25” | + 18’30” | 73’55” |
| 9 | Florrie Curley | 1hr 32’39” | + 19’ | 73’39” |
| 10 | Peter Sweeney | 1hr 32’57” | + 28’ | 64’57” |
| 11 | Karen Breen | 1hr 33’40” | + 15’ | 78’40” |
| 12 | Niall Lynch | 1hr 34’01” | + 34’ | 60’01” |
| 13 | Julia Hackett | 1hr 34’08” | + 14’ | 80’08” |
| 14 | Gavin Keogh | 1hr 34’12” | + 31’30 | 62’42” |
| 15 | Fergal Whitty | 1hr 34’16” | + 33’ | 61’16” |
| 16 | Alan Farrell | 1hr 34’31” | + 29’ | 65’31” |
| 17 | Tony Griffin | 1hr 34’41” | + 18’ | 76’41” |
| 18 | Peter Bonnar | 1hr 34’59” | + 5’ | 89’59” |
| 19 | Rossa Hurley | 1hr 35’02” | + 36’ | 59’02” |
| 20 | Dana Mackey | 1hr 35’54” | + 0 | 95’54” |
| 21 | Philip Hennessy | 1hr 36’11” | + 29’30” | 66’41” |
| 22 | Ian Redican | 1hr 36’57” | + 20’ | 76’57” |
| 23 | Angela Eustace | 1hr 36’27” | + 9’ | 87’27” |
| 24 | Anne Curley | 1hr 37’35” | + 20’ | 77’35” |
| 25 | Jennifer O’keefe | 1hr 46’50” | 0 | 106’50” |
| DNF | LAPS | |||
| Michelle Dawson | 3/5 (6 miles) | |||
| Rhona Duane | 3/5 (6 miles) | |||
| FASTEST MEN | TIME | |||
| Ken Nugent | 58’37” | Tommy Hayward Trophy | ||
| Rossa Hurley | 59’02” | |||
| FASTEST WOMEN | TIME | |||
| Niamh O’Neill | 73’18” | |||
| Florrie Curley | 73’39” |