A: Grange, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland | E: info@mullingarharriers.com

Leinster Intermediate & Masters XC 2020 (12th Jan)

 

The Leinster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country took place in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday 12th January in cool but dry and at times sunny conditions. Despite the terrible rain in the days leading up to the event, the course held up remarkably well, though it was still very muddy and slippery in many places and great care was required on corners to maintain footing. Congratulations to Gowran AC for setting up an excellent course in very tough weather conditions. The stand out performance of the day for Mullingar was Padraig Moran winning the intermediate men race, delighted to take a Leinster title, but we had lots more individual and team medals to bring back to Mullingar by the end of the day.

Still a relative newcomer to cross country racing, Aisling Corcoran worked hard all the way through the challenging course and was delighted to finish well up and lead the Mullingar team home in the master women 4,000m. Following in with determined efforts and giving great support was Emer O’Hanlon (4th in her age category, just missing a medal by three seconds), Patricia Broderick (1st in her age category), Brigid McCabe (1st in her age category), Linda Cunningham, Terri Greene and Caroline Mullen. After sorting the various age categories and team results, it was double team gold for the Emer, Patricia and Brigid by winning 1st Club and 1st County in their master age category, to add to the long list of titles this team has amassed in the last couple of years.

Powering up the home straight, Gerard Gavin finished a close 5th in his age category and had the signal honour of leading the big Mullingar team home in the master men 6,000m. Working hard all the way and packing well in support was Eddie Newman (2nd in his age category), Tom McGrath, Patrick Muldoon, James Cribbin, David Fagan, Pauric Brady, Paul Ginnell, Nicky McCabe (2nd in his age category) and Pat Boyhan (first in his age category) on his debut in Leinster as a master athlete. The team of Gerard, Patrick, James and Pauric finished a very creditable 5th Club in their age category, but better news with double honours for Eddie, Tom, David and Paul as they finished 1st Club and 3rd County in their age category.

Master individual and team honours had the Mullingar contingent in high spirits, but we definitely left the best to last with the Intermediate Men 8,000m. Taking control early in the race, Padraig Moran really showed his class and with a faultless effort on what was now a very mucky and slippery course. Tracked by Andrew Nevin, the Mullingar duo never left off the pressure and raced hard to the finish, Padraig delighted to win the Leinster title, Andrew a few seconds behind. All eyes were on the rest of the team and with James Keegan (6th) and master athletes Kieran Nolan, Barry McDonald and Gerard Brady selflessly running in the intermediate race to make up a team rather that run in the master race leaving nothing behind, they were all rewarded for their fantastic efforts by finishing 1st Club and 3rd County.

Congratulations to the master men, master women and Intermediate men on their individual and team successes and they can look forward with confidence to the All-Ireland Intermediate and Masters Cross Country in Avondale, Co. Wicklow in February.