All-Ireland Schools XC 2024 (9th Mar)

A number of Mullingar Harriers represented their schools and colleges and competed strongly at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country in Tymon Park, Tallaght on Saturday 9th March. The rain came and went during the day but it wasn’t too windy, so conditions weren’t too bad. Athletes representing three Mullingar schools featured on the day but the day belonged to Loreto College who captured the Senior Girls’ team title.

Given their form in the Leinster Finals and their depth of talent, the Loreto College team in the Senior Girls 3,500m was always the team to watch and they didn’t disappoint. The team was led home by Grace Byne in a terrific 6th place, and backed up by a very strong team that included Louise Callaghan, Jessica Cunningham, Shauna Callaghan and Siofra O’Halloran racing hard to the finish, the girls were rewarded for their great efforts by winning the team title.

Earlier in the day, the St. Finian’s College team ran a great team race in the Intermediate Boys 5,000m. Led home by Matthew Molloy, and despite good support from Donagh Carey, Oisin Kehoe and John Glennon the boys finished 6th team, a great effort by all and a creditable finish in an All-Ireland final. Despite being hit by injuries, the Colaiste Mhuire team gave their all in the final race of the day, the Senior Boys 6,000m. This was a fiercely competitive race and went out hard and fast. The team that included Ross Killalea, John Ryan, Pablo Lozano and Jamie Wallace battled hard for every place and finished 4th team, just out of the medals, but top marks for efforts [GD].