DCU News
News at DCU
DCU student athletes with Head of Athletics Paul Byrne
DCU student athletes with Head of Athletics Paul Byrne

DCU Athletes to compete in IUAA's annual Cross Country event this weekend

DCU’s student athletes are looking to retain their men’s, women’s and overall titles at this weekend’s Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) annual Cross Country event.

This year’s race takes place at Curaheen Road Sports Grounds, Ballinaspig More, Co Cork on Saturday, March 7th. 

This one day inter-varsity event will see up to 80 female athletes and up to 90 male athletes compete.

2019 champions DCU are hoping to retain their titles at this year’s event. The starting time for female runners is 2pm, with male runners starting at 2.40pm. Admission for supporters is free. 

DCU Head of Athletics Paul Byrne said: “We have great strength and depth across both men’s and women’s teams coming into the Varsity XC in Cork.

"With the recent weather conditions the course will no doubt be demanding - but that’s what Cross Country is all about and our guys are looking forward to the challenge”. 

“DCU Student-Athletes had huge success over the past week and brought home 16 medals from National Senior Indoors which took place in National Indoor Arena last weekend, with seven DCU Athletes taking top honours and the title of National Champion in their respective events.

"This is unrivalled by any other Irish University institution. Some of these athletes will be running for DCU this weekend in the IUAA Cross Country which will further enhance the strength of our teams.”

National Senior Indoors Medallists

Gold

Nadia Power (Templeogue AC - 800m), Saragh Buggy (St. Abban’s AC - Long Jump & Triple Jump), Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC - Shot Put), Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC - 1500m), Sophie Becker (St Joseph’s AC - 400m), Keith Marks (Clonliffe Harriers AC - Long Jump), Mark Smyth (Rahney Shamrock AC - 200m)

Silver

Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC - 1500m), Paul McDermott (Donore Harriers AC - 200m), Sarah McCarthy (Mid Sutton AC - LJ), Mark Smyth (Raheny ShamrockAC - 60m)

Bronze 

Daena Kealy (St Abban’s AC - High Jump), Sarah Glennon (Mullingar Harriers - 3000m Walk), Conor Duncan (Ratoath AC - 800m), Kim O'Hare (Raheny Shamrock AC - Triple Jump)

Well done to all athletes, their coaches and clubs and also those who also made finals, ran personal best and season bests along the way. 

It was also an emotional day as a former DCU Athletics Sport Scholar recipient and Science Education graduate, athlete Craig Lynch was remembered by the presentation by his mother and fiance of a perpetual cup in his name to the National 60m Champ, Dean Adams (Ballymena & Antrim).

Meanwhile DCU athletes are continuing their preparations for the outdoor season at the annual IUAA Outdoor Varsities event on April 3rd and 4th.

This year’s competition takes place in the nearby Morton Stadium, Santry, the first time it’s been hosted there since 2016.

DCU students will be competing across the two days fighting for top honours against the best University athletics teams in the country and will look to retain their men’s, women’s and overall titles here also.

DCU Athletics is calling on staff, students and alumni to come out and show their support for the team. Action kicks off from 2pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday.

Admission into Morton Stadium for the event is free on both days.