Week ending Saturday 15th June
European qualification standard for Claire Fagan
Competing as a guest in the Galway Senior T&F Championships in a cold and windy Dangan last Thursday, Claire Fagan comfortably won the 10,000m in 36:01.98, which is inside the “A” standard of 36:05 set by Athletics Ireland for the European u/23 T&F Championships in Gävle, Sweden in July. Congratulations to Claire on achieving the standard so early in the season and she can now focus on her preparations to be in the best possible shape for July.
Mullingar youngsters in great form in Leinster T&F
The weather was very mixed last Saturday in Tullamore where the Leinster Pairs and u/12 and u/13 T&F took place. It was warm in the sun but quite cold when the clouds came over, and heavy black clouds were never far away but thankfully, the rain held off for most of the day and there were only two brief showers, which were not enough to stop proceedings.
We had two sets of boys competing in the pairs events, Blaise Drummond and Cathal Donohue in the 60m and 300m u/9 and Darren Corcoran and Aaron Wallace in the 60m and 500m u/10. The boys competed very well throughout the day and they certainly enjoyed the experience, despite finishing out of the medal places.
Matthew Molloy, Cian Corcoran safely qualified from the very competitive heats of the u/12 boys 600m but Niall Brady, Luke Greene, Arthur Drummond were unlucky not to advance to the final to join them. In the final, Matthew simply dominated and going to the front from the start opened up a sizeable lead to win easily, followed home by Cian finishing strongly just out of the medal places. Moving to the u/13 girls 600m, Muireann Donohue and Orla Manning were unlucky not to advance to the final, especially Orla who missed out by mere hundredths of a second in her heat. On to the u/13 boys 600m where Jamie Wallace and Conor Liston won their heats to advance to the final, but unfortunately not joined by Alex Lynch despite a great effort in his heat to just miss a place in the final. Right from the start of the final, Conor took the lead, closely tracked by Jamie right on his heels. Going into the final bend, Conor began to pull away but Jamie stayed close and into the home straight when it looked like Mullingar would record a 1-2 finish, Jamie was caught and passed very near the finish to cross the line in third, behind Conor in first place in a thrilling race to watch.
There were five heats of the u/12 girls 60m but Katie Kilmurray made it look easy in her heat to advance to the semi-final but despite a good effort in her semi-final, she didn’t advance to the final. There were five heats of the u/12 boys 60m too, where Eoin Donohue advanced to the semi-final, but Arthur Drummond was unlucky to miss out by just one place. Eoin battled hard in his semi-final but didn’t qualify for the final. Orla Manning and Muireann Donohue competed well in the u/13 girls 80m, but with six heats, qualification was extremely difficult and unfortunately neither of the girls advanced to the semi-finals. We ended the day in the medals again thanks to Kyle Faherty who easily won his heat of the u/13 boys 80m and absolutely dominated the final to win by a big margin. Very well done to all the Mullingar athletes that competed with great energy and enthusiasm over what was a long day for some of them.
Westmeath Community Games T&F Finals
Last Sunday, the Club hosted the Westmeath Community Games T&F Finals at the Club Grounds. The rain early in the week meant that preparations were seriously delayed but fine weather on Thursday and Friday meant the track could be lined and marked and the grounds put in shape just in time and they looked really well on the day. Thanks to the Trojan work of a few volunteers, everything was in tip top shape for the Games. The weather forecast was bad but on the day it was clear blue skies for the duration of the Games, which really added to the enjoyment. There was a good attendance and the programme ran very well to time thanks to the volunteers who gave up their time to help. Thanks to the Principal and Board of Management of the Mullingar Educate Together National School next door for generously allowing the use of their car park. Finally, thanks to those Club members who turned out to officiate and ensure the smooth running of the event.
Congratulations to all the athletes who have now qualified for the National Finals in August. As in previous years, in order that they are as well prepared as possible to represent Westmeath, they and their coaches and team managers are very welcome to train with the Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays between now and August, particularly important for the technical events like hurdles, relays and field events.
Recent road races
The heavy on and off rain last Wednesday threatened to spoil the Multyfarnham 5k but it brightened up in time before the race in the evening and with only a light drizzle now and then, the spectators and nearly 150 competitors were able to enjoy the event in relative comfort. Being so local, it was no surprise that Mullingar athletes featured strongly in the prizes in the various categories. In total, 33 Mullingar athletes competed, providing the first eight men finishers and first three women. Leading the field home was Padraig Moran in an impressive 15:14, some way ahead of James Keegan (16:47), Pauric Ennis (17:15), Eddie Newman (17:31) first in his master category, Gerard Gavin (17:34) first in his master category, Kieran Nolan (17:45) second in his master category, Gerard Brady (17:55) and Alan Crowley (17:59) to fill the top eight places. Next to finish was Aine O’Reilly in 18:10, the first woman and first in her master category, then from Mullingar came Cormac Finnerty (18:23) third in his master category, Kedagh Geoghegan (18:58), Joan Flynn (19:05) second woman and second in her master category, Michelle Bohan (19:17) third woman, Ruairi Fagan (19:20), Colm McCormack (19:34), Jenny Algar (19:48), Michael O’Sullivan (22:05) second in his master category, Alex Lynch (20:25) first junior boy, Amy Mahony (20:45), Ciara Dillon (21:19), Joan Hickson (21:57) third in her master category, Criona Reid (22:13), Oliver Lynch (22:24) second junior boy, Patricia Broderick (22:29) first in her master category, Siobhan Farry (22:39), Linda Cunningham (22:49), Linda O’Driscoll (22:49), Ann Hall (22:53), Terri Greene (23:17) second in her master category, Elysia Greene (23:57), Ruth Greene (28:38), Aiveen Lynch (28:43) first junior girl and Christy Creagh (32:37). This was a magnificent turn out in support from Mullingar and well done to everyone who competed.
The Bohermeen AC 5k in Co. Meath is renowned for great racing and the post-race barbeque and burgers. This year’s edition took place last Friday on a cool evening with a light breeze, great conditions for racing on a course that lends itself to good times. The popularity of the race was reflected in the excellent entry of nearly 430 runners, among them Eddie Newman finishing strongly in 17:26 to win his master category by over thirty seconds and Enda Seery pleased to finish very fast in 18:52.
In contrast, to the great conditions in Bohermeen, on the same Friday evening the weather was simply dreadful in Clara, Co. Offaly for the Clara AC 5k where almost 400 finishers had to endure torrential rain, which started only a few minutes into the race. Despite the downpour, there was still some great running and excellent times posted on a fast course that included a circuit of the town and a very welcome downhill finish. Representing Mullingar was Gerard Brady who was happy with his performance to finish well up in 18:07.
St. Colman’s NS 5k
Judging by the numbers that raced in Multyfarnham, the Mullingar athletes like a good local race and this Sunday they should consider running in the St. Colman’s 5k, which is always a very well organised local event.
David Fagan completes the Wicklow Way Ultra Marathon Trail Race ….. again
Having completed the Wicklow Way Ultra Marathon Trail Race on one of the warmest days in June 2018, David Fagan returned this year to run the 127km route in the opposite direction, starting in Clonegal in Co. Carlow last Friday evening and finishing in Marlay Park in Dublin on Saturday afternoon. It might have been in reverse, but the route still had 3,000m of climbs and the event difficulty was categorised at 10 (“extreme”) but at least the weather was much cooler this year. It might have worried some that one of the Aid Stations along the route is called “The Dying Cow” but we can only assume that as David is a Veterinary Surgeon that it didn’t faze him! There are no stewards along the route, so contestants must be self-sufficient and among the required equipment David had to bring with him was waterproof jacket and trousers, mobile phone, head light and spare batteries, reflective upper outer layer, map of route and compass, food and drink, whistle, gloves and hat, a foil blanket and a tracker. Bad enough running 127km but lugging that load along with him must have been torture and we’re glad to report that he survived the ordeal and finished in 17 hours 51 minutes, to place eighteenth out of 100 starters, though only 53 finished, and second in his master category. He admits that it was a tough day and he probably went out too hard but it’s still testament to his incredible mental toughness and physical endurance.
Leinster T&F Championships
The Leinster T&F Championships continue this week-end where the u/14 to u/19 and the remaining u/12 and u/13 individual T&F Championships will take place in Tullamore. Mullingar will have just nearly 40 athletes competing and the names of those entered are on the notice board in the Clubhouse. Please check the time of your event. This is a Championship, so you must wear your Club vest.
For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com. You can also follow what is happening at the Club on our Facebook page.
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