Week ending Saturday 21st April
Inter-Varsity medals for Vicky Harris
Hosted by Queen’s University Belfast, the Irish Universities T&F Championships at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast last Friday and Saturday were held in cool but excellent conditions for competition.
On Friday afternoon, Declan Brady (GMIT) contested the heats of the 800m but despite a good performance didn’t advance to Saturday’s final. Padraig Moran (DCU) had an excellent run in the 5,000m where he was always part of the leading group and was very unlucky to finish just out of the medals in fourth place in a close finish, but earned valuable points to help DCU retain the men’s team trophy. Making short work of the heats of the 100m and 200m on Friday, Vicky Harris (AIT) cruised to victory in her heats to qualify for Saturday’s finals as a favourite to finish in the medals. As expected, the 1,500m was a tactical affair where Claire Fagan (DCU) ran a fine race and finished well up to earn valuable points to help DCU retain the women’s team trophy.
On Saturday, Rachel Glennon (DCU) competed well in the 1,500m race walk and despite the very short distance for her, she raced well to finish fourth and earn team points for DCU. Saturday was a very busy day for Vicky Harris where she took silver in the 100m, bronze in the 200m, bronze in the 4x100m relay, helping AIT set a new College relay record into the bargain and helped in good measure by the points total amassed by Vicky, the AIT women finished second in the women’s team placings behind DCU, their best ever placing in Inter Varsity T&F.
Strong Mullingar showing at Great Ireland Run
The Great Ireland Run, incorporating the AAI National 10k Championships, took place in a very windy and wet Phoenix Park last Sunday morning. This is a challenging hilly course, where the first 5km is always fast because it is mostly downhill before the runners get to the hillier section, including the Furry Glen, in the second half of the course.
The way the Great Ireland results are presented, it is impossible to search through the thousands and thousands of finishers looking for Club members, but we know the Club members that were entered in the AAI 10k and can search those results easily and record their performances, so apologies to any others that were missed.
First from Mullingar Harriers to finish was Tom McGrath (35:46) followed in by Eddie Newman (35:51) and Gerard Gavin (36:10), Pauric Brady (38:17), Paul Ginnell (41:30), Colm Walsh (44:23) and Michael O’Sullivan (44:31). Our first woman to finish was Maura Dervin (45:16), followed closely by Jane Creevy (45:21) and then Patricia Broderick (48:18), Eileen Kenny (48:22) third in her master age category and Linda Cunningham (51:19). Completing the Mullingar contingent was Christy Creagh (60:39) second in his master age category and delighted to be still participating and winning medals in National 10k Championships. When the team scores were calculated it was very close for Maura, Patricia and Eileen but they finished fourth Club in their master category, just out of the medals, but it was better news for Tom, Eddie and Paul who finished second Club in their master category.
Before the 10k race, there were races for boys and girls where they had the chance to show their talents before the very large crowd that gathered for the 10k race. Mullingar athletes usually feature on the podium after the junior races and this year it was no different thanks to Colin Smith who won the junior boys 12 to 15 years race.
Hyundai “Pat Finnerty Memorial” 5k
The clock is ticking down to the Hyundai “Pat Finnerty Memorial” 5k in two weeks time, which is a major fundraiser for the Club. As there is no league this year, instead a single race on a new fast slightly downhill straight course based out of Clonkill GAA, we’re looking to everyone involved with the Club that won’t be running to get behind the event and support it by volunteering to help out on the night. Entries are now open at www.myrunresults.com for €12 online or €15 on the night. We’ll also have a 1,500m race for boys and girls aged 15 and younger before the main 5k race.
Volunteers are needed with registration, parking, water station, stewarding/traffic control on the course, refreshments (tea/coffee, food – sandwiches, cakes, buns etc) and lots of other jobs needed for a road race. Please contact any member of the Committee or Club Official to indicate your willingness to help on the night. Thank you in anticipation.
Fundraising Table Quiz
We’re holding a fundraising table quiz in Wallace’s Pub at Dalystown on Friday 11th May at 9pm and we’re asking everyone to show their support. A table of four adults is €40, and for juniors is €20. Donation of prizes would also be greatly appreciated.
New date for next Committee Meeting
Rather than meet on the first Tuesday evening of May, which would put it on the eve of the Pat Finnerty Memorial 5k, the next meeting of the committee will take place next Tuesday 24th April – a week earlier – at 8.20pm in the Clubhouse after training. High on the agenda are final preparations for the 5k, so a full attendance is required.
Killian Ekhator RIP (Boyne AC)
It was with great sadness we learned last week of the sudden death of 11 year old Killian Ekhator from Boyne AC in County Louth. Killian won the Leinster Indoor 60m u/13 title only last February and was a member of the Boyne AC u/13 relay team that took silver at the All-Ireland Indoors just days before his untimely death in his sleep last Thursday and was well known by and a friend of many of the younger members of Mullingar Harriers, particularly our 10, 11 and 12 year sprinters. The Executive and members of the Club extend sincere sympathy to Killian’s family, friends and Club mates at Boyne AC at this very difficult time. RIP.
For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website www.mullingarharriers.com. You can also follow what is happening at the Club on our Facebook page.
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