Week ending Saturday 9th July
Record crowd in Tullamore for National Juvenile T&F
The AAI National Children’s Games and under 12 T&F was held in Tullamore last Saturday and the big programme of events attracted a very large crowd of spectators, in fact it was the biggest crowd ever seen in Tullamore, even bigger than at an All-Ireland Schools T&F, so with spectators lined right around the track, the atmosphere was simply fantastic.
Soaking up the atmosphere was Mullingar’s sole representative, Cillian Galvin, who competed in the under 12 boys 600m. Being the Leinster Champion meant Cillian was a hot medal favourite, but he appeared quite unfazed by any pressure that might have brought. As expected at this age, the race started very fast and Cillian lost no time getting into an excellent position right in the leading group going through the bell. With no let up in pace, the field began to string out but Cillian kept right up with the leaders and with 200m to go looked full of running. Into the home straight and the race really began in earnest with five boys vying for the three medal places and in a very close finish where you could have thrown a blanket over second third and fourth place, Cillian just edged himself into third place right on the line and was delighted to win a National bronze medal.
National Juvenile T&F
We returned to a quieter Tullamore on Sunday for day 1 of the AAI National Juvenile under 13 to under 19 T&F, where Mullingar had three in action. Beibhinn O’Reilly contested the under 13 girls 600m and put in a very determined effort but despite her best efforts, she finished out of the medals but has to be very satisfied to have competed in a National final and will benefit from the experience.
The first heat of two of the under 17 boys 800m was a very bumpy affair from the start but Philip McCartan got stuck in and kept himself in contention with a very solid run but he was very unlucky to be run out of the qualifying places in the closing stages and he didn’t advance to the final.
Availing of the open entry system for older juveniles, Ross Killalea made his debut over the tough steeplechase wooden barriers and water jump in the under 18 boys 3,000m steeplechase, though the way he competed you would never believe it was his first time to run the event. Seven and a half laps and thirty five barriers to negotiate is guaranteed to sap the energy of the best but Ross managed in in great style. Moving into third place midway he looked certain to win a medal but unfortunately, he was overtaken with two laps to go and though he worked very hard to get back on terms he finished in fourth place, but can be very proud of his effort.
World Masters Bronze for Sean McMullin
It was a very hot 30 degrees Celsius in Tampere, Finland last Friday lunchtime when Sean McMullin toed the line for the 5,000m track walk at the World Masters T&F. All the track walk races were held in Hervanta Field, a short tram ride from the main stadium where the bulk of the track events are being held. Though competing away from most of his team mates, having competed with distinction in several World events, a detail like that wasn’t going to faze Sean one bit. He settled quickly into his race and it wasn’t long before he was part of the leading group, racing hard all the way to an excellent third place and the bronze medal, within sight of second place but comfortably clear of any threat from fourth place behind him. This was a great start to the Championships for Sean, but he won’t have much time to celebrate as he prepares to compete again on Wednesday afternoon in the longer 20k road walk at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre, having opted to skip the 10k road walk on Sunday morning to give himself the best chance in the 20k road walk.
Great Mullingar team performance in Roscommon
Roscommon Harriers AC hosted a 10 mile race last Saturday morning, which was run on a fair course with some nice rolling hills. The sun was shining throughout the race making for warm racing conditions but that only made the free ice creams at the finish line all the more enjoyable for the 413 finishers!
Thirteen athletes from Mullingar Harriers completed the race and they were led home with an impressive performance by Timmy Murphy finishing in seventh place with a time of 53 minutes 48 seconds. Andrew Nevin ran very strongly to finish in tenth position in 56:18. The mixed team of six athletes (3 men and 3 women) was third. This team was made of up Timmy, Andrew, Kieran Nolan (62:04), Sinéad Whitelaw (63:35), Joan Flynn (67:04) and Susan Glennon (68:36). Mary Stuart was first in her master category in 70:23. Other Mullingar finishers were Enda O’Carolan (64:37), Glenda Shaw (70:51), Maura Dervin (71:11), Ann Hall McDonnell (72:41), Michelle O’Halloran (79:51) and Alan Byrne (80:15). Unfortunately, Siobhan McCarthy was forced to stop at 7 miles with a hamstring injury and we wish her well in her recovery.
This 10 mile race was the fifth race in the KIA Race Series, a series which has been running since March of this year. The Mullingar Harriers mixed team are currently in third position overall in the series, behind strong teams from Leevale AC and Dundrum South Dublin AC, with just two races left to run, the Edenderry 10 mile next week and the Cork 10 mile in August.
Mullingar Trio compete in Jerusalem
After a fraught journey involving late departures and consequent missed connection flights, the Mullingar trio of Diarmuid Fagan, Andrew Glennon and Aisling Lane finally made it to Jerusalem last Friday with the twenty- strong Irish team to compete in the European under 18 T&F Championships. It’s hot in Jerusalem, so Diarmuid will compete in the 1,500m in the evening and Andrew and Aisling in their race walks early in the morning, to avoid the worst of the heat. We can follow the action on the livestream and we’ll report on how they fared in next week’s notes.
National Juvenile T&F concludes
This coming weekend, the conclusion of the AAI National Juvenile T&F takes place in Tullamore. Mullingar has athletes entered in the walks, 3000m, 1500m and 200m, all seeking National honours, and we wish them all the very best of luck.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
PRO
