The season just gets better and better for Foyle Valley Athletic Club’s Keith Shiels who has been selected for the Northern Ireland veteran over 35 international crosscountry team for the British and Irish Masters.
Foyle Valley athlete Keith Shields.
Shiels, winner of last month’s Waterside Half Marathon, has dominated middle-distance running this season, and his selection follows his victory in the opening race of the Northern Ireland Crosscountry season, the Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association (NIMAA) Masters Open run at Queen’s University playing fields on Saturday. The event also incorporated the trials for the upcoming British and Irish Masters to take place in Cardiff in Wales on Saturday, 16 November next.
On Saturday, Shiels led from the front and recorded a comfortable victory in a time of 25 minutes 46 seconds.
The Creggan man is one of a number of athletes who have qualified represent Northern Ireland in various age groups in Cardiff.
The teams are made up of men’s veteran 35 to veteran 50: six athletes with two reserves (if applicable) and ladies’ (and men’s veteran 55 and above): four athletes with one reserve (if applicable).
Other Derry athletes selected are – Michael Murphy, City of Derry AC (vet 35); James Brown, City of Derry AC (vet 40); Philip Donaghy, City of Derry AC (vet 40 reserve); Cathal McLaughlin, Foyle Valley AC and Paul McCafferty, City of Derry AC (both vet 45); Oran McBride, City of Derry AC (vet 45 reserve); Hannah Shields, City of Derry AC and Jackie McGinley, City of Derry AC (both ladies vet 45); Gerry Duddy, City of Derry AC (vet 50 reserve); Una Gavin, City of Derry AC and Paula McGilloway, City of Derry AC (both ladies vet 50); Bridgeen Byrne, City of Derry AC (vet 50 reserve); Peter Lilburn, City of Derry AC (vet 60) and Gerry Lynch, City of Derry AC (vet 65).
NIMAA Masters Open XC (incorporated International trials):
On Saturday 12th October 2013, hundreds of athletes and spectators descended on the Queens University Playing Fields in Belfast for the opening race of the Northern Ireland Cross Country season, the Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association (NIMAA) Masters Open XC, which also incorporated trials for the upcoming British & Irish Masters XC, due to take place in Cardiff (Wales) on Saturday 16th November 2013.
In the Men’s 8k race, Foyle Valley AC man Keith Shiels controlled things from the off; gradually he worked himself further and further away from the chasing pair of Eamon White (North Belfast Harriers) and Paul Rowan (Willowfield Harriers), who were having an excellent dual. Anthony Glover (Westbury Harriers), Mark Wright (Annadale Striders), Cathal McLaughlin (Foyle Valley AC) Johnny Park (Orangegrove AC), Neil Carty (North Belfast Harriers), James Brown (City of Derry AC) and Gary Keenan (Orangegrove AC) were all looking strong as they battled it out for category places and international vests.
As Keith Shiels went into the final lap, it was clear that he would win, barring any major mishaps; as the awaiting crowds looked up towards the final hill, it was Keith who came into view first. He cruised towards the finish line in effortless fashion to break the tape in 25:46 (1st place). Vet40 athlete Eamon White (2nd place – 26:12) just pipped Paul Rowan (3rd place – 26:15) to the post; Paul was the first Vet45 finisher. Orangegrove AC’s Gary Keenan notched up arguably the performance of the day, working his way through the field to take 4th place in 26:28; this ensured Gary was the first Vet50 runner home. North Belfast Harriers’ Laurence Johnston (28th place – 28:54) led the Vet55’s into the finish, before Terry Eakin (North Down AC) claimed the bragging rights in the Vet60 race, after recording 30:41 (41st place).
Top 3 Men (8k): 1st Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC) – 25:46, 2nd Eamon White (North Belfast Harriers) – 26:12, 3rd Paul Rowan (Willowfield Harriers) – 26:15
Top 3 Ladies (6k): 1st Cathy McCourt (North Belfast Harriers) – 22:06, 2nd Denise Toner (Clones AC) – 22:15, 3rd Rachel Gibson (North Down AC) – 22:34
Category Winners:
Men (8k): Vet35:- Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC) – 25:46, Vet40:- Eamon White (North Belfast Harriers) -26:12, Vet45:- Paul Rowan (Willowfield Harriers) – 26:15, Vet50:- Gary Keenan (Orangegrove AC) – 26:28, Vet55:- Laurence Johnston (North Belfast Harriers) – 28:54, Vet60:- Terry Eakin (North Down AC) – 30:41, Vet65 (6k):- Gerry Lynch (City of Derry AC) – 25:18, Vet70 (6k):- Brian Smith (North Down AC) – 25:34 and Vet75 (6k):- Michael Spotswood (Duncairn Nomads) – 38:44
Ladies (6k): Vet35:- Denise Toner (Clones AC) – 22:15, Vet40:- Cathy McCourt (North Belfast Harriers) – 22:06, Vet45:- Debbie Matchett (Ballydrain Harriers) – 23:38, Vet50:- Susanna Allen (Ballymena Runners) – 27:15, Vet55:- Mary Mackin (Dromore AC) – 25:38, Vet60:- None, Vet65:- Brigid Quinn (Ballymena Runners) – 29:47, Vet70:- None
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