JIMMY’S MOTHER PASSES ON
The Club members were deeply saddened last weekend to learn of the death of Mrs Maura Murray, mother of the Club’s founder and for many years its driving force, the late Jimmy Murray. For those who do not know it is he in whose honour our flagship event Jimmy’s Ten, was named writes Joe Quinn.
Mrs Murray always retained an active interest in the progress of the club and she was unofficially regarded as the Club matriarch. To those of us who knew her she was until relatively recently, a sprightly, talkative, kindly and motherly soul. She was broken hearted at the untimely death of Jimmy which she never really got over feeling that it was unfair that she should still be here while he had gone. She nevertheless remained a significant link with our past and by virtue of her always encouraging support remained my inspiration. Her passing marks the end of an era.
The sympathy of the entire club is extended to her daughters Frances and Mary and to her grandchildren, great grandchildren and family circle.
May she Rest in Peace, back with Jimmy again.
SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN LURGAN NEWCASTLE TAKE LEAGUE TITLE
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East Down members representing their schools at Delamont (L to R) – Grace Surginor, Laura Gardiner, Ella Carroll, Elisha Surginor, Laura Green and Aoife Cochrane.[/caption]
It is with considerable pleasure that I report that our neighbours and friendly rivals, the men from Newcastle AC, have claimed the Ulster and Northern Ireland Cross Country Team title, with a hard fought 3rd place finish in the last League fixture in Lurgan Park on Saturday.
Heartiest congratulations go to David McNeilly and his team of bravehearts for travelling to and contesting every round of the League which began way back in October with the Comber Cup fixture in Dunonald.
The East Down team was decimated by illness, injury and absence due to the laudable desire to attend the Downe Hospital Rally and had only one representative in the Senior Men’s race, the ever willing and competitive Michael Cultra who took a creditable 50th place.
NEXT YEAR’S CHALLENGE
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The Down High School Intermediate Girls squad (L to R) Ella Carroll, Ellen Erskine, Beth Hynds and Rachel Martin.[/caption]
It is to be hoped that the success of Newcastle and the upsurge in interest in running across the country generally will inspire all the “local” clubs, East Down, Murlough, Ballydrain Harriers and indeed fledgling clubs like Crossgar, Castlewellan and Leitrim Ladies to take part in the League and perhaps even mount a challenge to the mighty Mourne men.
DISTRICT A SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY
Two weeks ago in Delamont Country Park many of East Down’s juniors put in eye-catching performances in the Ulster Schools Cross Country District A competition, with Edie Carroll leading the way with a splendid victory in the Minor Girls race, and Chloe Galloway coming 4th.
Owen Edwards 6th Tony Carson 17th and Matthew McGrattan helped St Patrick’s High School team to 4th place overall while Ellen Erskine Down High School 9th Aoife Cochrane Assumption Grammar 10th Laura Gardiner St Mary’s 11th Laura Green Shimna Integrated 13th Ella Carroll Down High 14th and Elisha Surginor St Mary’s 16th all qualified individually or helped their school teams to qualifying positions in the Intermediate Girls category for the Ulster finals. James Smyth St Patrick’s 25th and Paul McMeekin Down High 40th were best in the Boys Intermediate race.
NEXT WEEK
Next Sunday brings us once more to the beautiful Strangford Lough shore for the annual Ben Derg Coast 10K, which begins at 1.00pm with registration in St Malachy’s GAA Club from 11.00am. This is probably the most scenic race on the calendar and a large crowd is expected. With a 5K option and the introduction this year of a 3K run for the novices and the young there is something for everyone. Post race refreshments are second to none so come and enjoy.
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