There is an old adage in sport that while 'form is temporary, class is permanent' and it was borne out in some style as Ulster Schools Junior Champion Niall Cullen made a welcome return to form, winning the intermediate title as St Michael's enjoyed a hugely promising opening to the schools' cross-country season in Downpatrick on Wednesday last.
The well-attended event, which incorporated the annual Integrated Colleges Championships, as well as guesting teams from most of the leading cross-country colleges in Ulster, was held on a demanding and energy sapping 'old-style' cross-country course, in the grounds of Delamount Park in ideal weather conditions.
The minor boys were first into action and one of the best individual battles at this age level seen in a long time ensued between Conor Smith of St Michael's, fresh from his Malcolm Cup triumph on the previous Saturday, and Martin of Strangford College.
The latter set off at a blistering pace and opened up a lead of some 50m by the 400m mark but the more conservative Smith had reeled him in by halfway and as they started the long, muddy climb with 500m to go, it was the Enniskillen lad who had a 15m gap. However, a gritty climb by Martin saw him overtake at the top of the incline and then open a 30m advantage of his own as the pair came down the steep descent to the finish, both being well clear of the pursuing pack.
Even at this point though, the race was not over as Smith launched a final attack, which fell just short by a couple of strides. But there was no shame in taking silver in what was a hugely committed effort from two highly talented young athletes.
Behind the leading duo was a remarkable third place finish from Jonathan Courtney, minus both running spikes, which had been left in the sticky Co. Down mud, and a hugely impressive bit of packing from the St Michael's team with Cathal Caufield 5th, Carl O'Reilly 8th, Gavin Dolan 9th, Niall McKeever 11th, Barry McAleer 16th and Colin Logan 30th in the 100-strong field.
Certainly the potential for the retention of the Ulster Schools title is there but St Malachy's, on their own patch, in February and St Malachy's in November are two very different propositions, and a lot can happen in a short time as St Michael's themselves proved by reversing the Lurgan result to their benefit last season, in just five weeks.
In the Junior boys event, James Speight of Erne Integrated and St Michael's Finn Corrigan were well to the fore in what was one of the classiest fields of the day, featuring as it did four of the top nine from Sunday's Irish U-14 Championships, including two of the medallists.
After an energy sapping two laps, Speight emerged 4th with Corrigan, in his first season in the age group, 6th and a see-saw team contest saw St Michael's edged out by their North Belfast rivals despite excellent runs from John Joe Strain 10th, Louis Leonard 11th and the Cullen twins with Lee in 14th edging Che in 15th for the final scoring slot.
This is probably the most open age group at Ulster level and a St Michael's team firing on all cylinders would be well capable of upsetting the odds in the spring with the likes of Mark Dolan, Niall Slowey and Cathal Caufield all potentially progressing to contest the scoring spots and the possibility of a few more year ten athletes forcing their way into the picture in the coming weeks.
In the Integrated Colleges Championship, Erne College took the silver medals behind Shimna with four times Irish sprint champion Gerard Maguire, getting in some winter distance work, one of their scorers.
The Intermediate event was a virtual repeat of last year's Ulster Junior Final with a repeat performance from the champion too as Niall Cullen returned to his brilliant best with a hugely impressive win, dominating from start to finish and demonstrating, not for the first time, what a bright future he could have in the sport if he makes the right decisions and applies himself to what is, admittedly, one of the most demanding of disciplines.
A fully fit Cullen against the cream of the English and Scottish raiders at Stormont in January is an appealing prospect and he has the team to back him all the way to the Irish Schools as they showed by packing four into the top 13 despite mishaps for both Mark Hoy and Fintan O'Doherty, demonstrating a growing strength in depth, which will be critical.
The second blue vest across the line was Gerard Britton, who showed that his Ballyclare run was no fluke and while he will unfortunately be missing for Stormont he will be vital for the subsequent schools' campaign, as will Francis Maguire, who continues to improve in 8th and Philip McQuaid, who closed out a good team win in 13th.
Competition for places is healthy in any team and the likes of Hoy and O'Doherty, both of whom suffered 'footwear malfunctions' a la Courtney, Cathal Delea, Ryan Elliott, Paul McGinnity, Brendan McBarron and the Irish Schools medal winning pair of John Dooris and Ryan Dolan, who didn't make the starting team, will ensure a healthy focus at training in the next month.
The penultimate event of the programme saw a small field contest the senior girls event with the Erne Integrated team of Naoisa Conlon, Breege McGovern and Bronagh Tierney taking team honours to make their long journey and long wait to run a little more palatable and the trip home feel a little shorter.
It is most encouraging to see a full local girls team competing at senior level, an age group where the drop off is substantial, and much credit is due to the girls and their mentors.
The senior boys event was a three-way tussle between St Michael's, a depleted St Malachy's and Malone College with former Welsh schools athlete Cathal O'Connor representing Erne college also prominent in the leading group.
In the end, O'Connor took third ahead of Emmett Lindsay who led St Michael's to a facile team success with James Broyan, Michael Slevin and Colm Monaghan completing the scoring positions and good support from Darren Martin and Niall McGoldrick.
An Ulster Schools medal will be the target for St Michael's and if the work is done by the entire squad over the next ten weeks, it is a goal that is ultimately achievable.
From a St Michael's perspective, this was a useful early season pointer to what may lie ahead, but despite the promising signs they are only too well aware that the prizes that matter will be handed out in February and March and for the 'blue vests' and the likes of Speight and O'Connor there is much hard graft to be done and hopefully a lot of fun to be had and progress to be made before the Valentine;s Day showdown on the windswept playing fields of Mallusk where dreams will come true and be broken.
