British & Irish Masters International XC 2024 (16th Nov)

The 35th staging of the British & Irish Masters International Cross Country took place in Belfast on Saturday 16th November. The Billy Neill Country Park, 115 acres of natural beauty with ten grass football pitches, 3k of walking trails and 2.5k cycle trail along with 25 acres of native species woodland was a spectacular location for the event.

Mullingar Harriers had 5 athletes who gained selection for the Ireland team in their respective categories. A total of 427 athletes representing England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland took part. Maura Dervin, Brigid McCabe, Eddie Newman, Eddie Lynch and Sean McMullin were the Mullingar athletes who took part. Maura, Brigid and Sean took part over a 6k course, with the two Eddie’s competing over 8k.

Brigid McCabe led home the Irish team to secure silver in their category and she herself was 3rd to take the bronze medal. Maura Dervin was the second placed Irish finisher in her category, helping her colleagues secure 3rd place and bronze for Ireland, Sean McMullin was the second Irish athlete to finish, and a part of the 3rd placed Irish team in his category. Eddie Newman, 3rd Irish finisher and Eddie Lynch 4th Irish finisher helped their colleagues to pick up the silver medal in their category. When all the scores of the different masters’ men and women’s competitions were tabulated, for only the second time in the history of the event Ireland won the overall team Gold. A very proud day then for our 5 masters athletes representing their country and club in Belfast, but for Eddie Lynch it was a very special day as it marked his International Debut too, so his name will be added to the International Roll of Honour in the clubhouse [MO’S].