Preview: NI Junior team competing in Lancashire this weekend

by Phil Hodge

N.Ireland is sending 3 teams to the Junior Inter Counties Event, hosted by Rossendale Harriers, in Lancashire this coming weekend.

The U19 boys team is led by Oisin Brennan (Springwell Running Club), a regular racer in the Hill & Dale series, having placed in the top 20 overall in 6 out of 7 Hill and Dale races this year.
He is joined by Jonny Brattle (Willowfield Harriers) whose season highlight was 4th in the Ulster Schools Senior Steeplechase.

The U19 Girls Team consists of Molly Brennan (Springwell Running Club), winner of the Junior Championship in April and regular competitor in the Hill & Dale series. She is joined by Leila Ponziani (Victoria College) 12th placed finisher in the Ulster Schools Senior XC Championship.

The U17 Team has two St Malachy’s AC athletes, Tony McCambridge and Conall McClean, who placed 1st and 2nd in their Schools Dsitrict XC and recently 2nd and 3rd in the Ulster Schools Intermediate 3000m.

Interestingly Mountain runners placed 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th in this event, with Jack O’Farrell winning and Adam Ferris who had been 3rd in the Mountain Running Championship placing 4th here.
Andrew Hagen completes the team after his recent 2nd in the Ulster Schools 1500m Steeplechase (1st in Ulster).

We wish the team all the best for their races this Saturday.