Athletics Ireland – News – British and Irish Under 16 and 18 Championships

The annual junior mountain running international between the home countries and Ireland takes place in Wales this weekend. The races are being held in conjunction with the Commonwealth mountain running championships.

There are four Irish teams entered and all four are hoping to finish in the top three countries in each category. Four of the top six runners from 2010 are eligible to run in the under 16 girls race again. With two of those from Scotland (Emma Dunnett and Louise Mercer) they will be hoping to repeat their team victory.

Cross-country afficiandos will recognise familiar names from the Celtic International race in ALSAA last February such as winner of the under 17 race Megan Withers (WAL), bronze medallist Oonagh Dunnett (SCO), and fourth place finisher Rosie Hynes (Swinford). The Irish team is particularly strong and this race probably represents our best chance of a team victory with 2010 silver medallist Clare McCarthy (DSD) in contention for an individual win. However Sorcha Humphries (DSD), Ella Fennelly (DSD) and Rosie Hynes are all capable of leading the Irish team home.

Kristian Edwards (ENG) was second in the 2010 under 16 boys race ahead of Killian Mooney (DSD). These two could be fighting for the medals again this year with the team race looking very open. The remaining members of the Irish team are relatively inexperienced but will benefit considerably from exposure at this level: Andrew Cullen (DSD); Michael Healion (Eire Og); and Daniel Lawler (St. Laurence O’Toole).

Winner of the 2010 under 16 race Ffion Price (WAL) goes up against the winner of the under 18 race in 2010 Scout Adkin (SCO). Laura Riches (ENG) and Becky Taylor (ENG) were second and third in 2010 and run again. They are joined by Amber Watson (ENG) who ran well in the recent World championships making England the favourites. Halina Rees (SCO) and Ffion Price were third and fourth in the Celtic International under 20 cross-country race. Louise Hill-Stirling (Ayr Seaforth and Clonliffe) and Meghan Ryan (DSD) carry the Irish medal hopes. Eadaoin O’Reilly (Annalee) and Brigid Dennehy (Iveragh) could both finish in the top 10 giving the Irish team a top three placing.

Marc Scott (ENG) will line up as the favourite in the under 18 boys race after a good run in the World championships. The team race looks very open. Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) should be prominent. The other members of the Irish team are Fintan Doherty (Clonliffe); Jake O’Regan (St. John’s Clare); and Kevin Brennan (St. Abban’s). Doherty (2009) and Brennan (2010) have taken part in this competition before.

Under 16 Girls

Wales: Rebecca Evans; Kari O’Neill; Megan Turner; Megan Withers.

England: Shannon Johnson; Georgia Malir; Annabel Mason.

Ireland: Ella Fennelly (DSD); Sorcha Humphreys (DSD); Rosie Hynes (Swinford); Clare McCarthy (DSD).

Scotland: Myrtle Breckenridge; Emma Dunnett; Oonagh Dunnett; Louise Mercer.

Under 16 Boys

Wales: Iolo Hughes; Gwynant Jones; Samuel Longville; Christian Lovatt.

England: Kristian Edwards; James Hall; Bradley Travis; Max Wharton.

Isle of Man: Jason Moore; Sean Moore.

Ireland: Andrew Cullen (DSD); Michael Healion (Eire Og); Daniel Lawler (St. Laurence O’Toole); Killian Mooney (DSD).

Scotland: Christopher Galloway; Andrew Lawlor; Rowan Marr; Callum Matthews.

Under 18 Girls

Wales: Ffion Lewis; Sarah Livett; Ffion Price; Rhianwedd Price.

England: Charlotte Edge; Laura Riches; Beckie Taylor; Amber Watson.

Ireland: Brigid Dennehy (Iveragh); Louise Hill-Stirling (Clonliffe); Eadaoin O’Reilly (Annalee); Meghan Ryan (DSD).

Scotland: Scout Adkin; Jennifer Cruickshanks; Halina Rees; Kirsty Rogan.

Under 18 Boys

Wales: Joshua Griffiths; Lloyd Heckler; Nathan Jones; Emrys Penny.

England: Joseph Johnston; Dominic Mahoney; Jack Ross; Marc Scott.

Ireland: Hugh Armstrong (Ballina); Fintan Doherty (Clonliffe); Jake O’Regan (St. John’s Clare); Kevin Brennan (St. Abban’s).

Isle of Man: Oliver Lockley.

Scotland: Sam Burgess; Craig Campbell; Adam Harris; Garry Rankin.