Club cross country championships, Jim McNamara and Faugh a Ballagh cups

Report by Florence Curley

10th March marked the 2nd anniversary of the passing of Jim McNamara. Starting last year, the club created the Jim McNamara cup for the winner of the club cross country championship in tandem with the Faugh-a-Ballagh cup which was awarded to the senior men’s winner for the first time in 1907. Today the races were held on the traditional 2 mile lap, starting opposite the papal cross. Willie Smith marked the course with club President Iain Morrison setting the runners on their way. Women completed 4 miles (2 laps) and men 3 laps (4 miles). In the women’s race, Maura Kearns established a lead early on, with Amy Moriarty and Ariana Ball next and these were the top 3 placings in the end. In the men’s race, a group of 3 broke away, Alan Farrell, Jonathan Farrell and new member Michael Edward O’Connor. In the end , Alan Farrell prevailed pulling away on Jonathan in the last lap, with Michael third. First O50 runner was Tom Fagan. And it was great see Ann Woodlock coming back to racing after her accident some months ago.

33 runners competed in all and it was good to see some club members of old at the race and the presentation.

Members of Jim McNamara’s family were there at the clubhouse and the late Harry Thomas was also remembered. Present also were members of the national 1961 U18 cross country championship in Belfield- Paddy Nevins and Sean Corrigan, Willie Smith was on that team too. And Brendan Dunne one of the famed Dunne brothers was presented with a replica medal of his 1962 gold medal for the u19 cross country national title – the medal went missing years ago and Willie Smith organised a replacement.

Thanks to everyone who organised and supported the day and helped to commemorate Jim’s memory.