Week ending Saturday 23rd November
National Championship Bronze for Dalton, as Masters help Ireland to Team Gold
Castle Irvine Estate in Irvinestown was the venue for the national cross-country championships on Sunday. Castle Irvine, also known as Necarne Castle, is a 230+ acre estate, nestled in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh. The estate consists of the castle, courtyard and numerous trails through the stunning woodlands. Pitched spectacularly within the estate was the cross-country course for the Athletics Ireland 123.ie National Cross-Country championships for senior, junior, under 23 and juveniles u12, 14, 16 and 18.
Senior Men
Cormac Dalton headed to Fermanagh to defend his national title from last year. He was involved throughout the race in a great battle for the podium places. Eventually he had to settle for the bronze medal. For the club honours he was well supported by the strong finishing of Jack O’Leary in 29th place, Vinny Connolly 35th and Jamie Battle 39th. However, their combined efforts came up just short as they finished in 4th, just short of the podium places. Kevin Moore, Andy Nevin, Timmy Murphy, Ian McCormack and Stephen Nea gave great support finishing in the middle of a large field. In the under 23 race run in conjunction with the seniors, Matthew Glennon performed admirably coming home in a top 20 position.
Senior Women
A team from Mullingar Harriers were amongst the nearly 100 starters in the senior women’s race. This was great to see, as the club has not fielded a full Senior Women’s team in this race since 2019. Our Leinster Champion, Claire Fagan ran with the leading pack over the very fast first lap and tucked in nicely as the race progressed over the mucky and hilly terrain. The front pack began to split after approximately 3k when the eventual winner, Letterkenny AC’s Annemarie McGlynn pushed the pace on, but Claire continued to race hard finishing strong in 11th position. A great result in what was a very stacked field of high-quality female athletes.
Susan Glennon ran a great race, working with a pack of athletes through the course, to finish in 56th position. Ciara Foy progressed very well through the race, running a fast last lap to finish in 68th. The team was completed with Sinéad Whitelaw in 72nd and Orlaith Flanagan in 82nd. The Mullingar Harriers team finished in 8th position overall, a good result in what was a very competitive National club championship.The team also finished 6th County, but 1st “B” County to win National team gold medals.
Juvenile and Junior Competitions
Mullingar Harriers had athletes competing in the juvenile and junior competitions. Pride of place in these events goes to Lily Walsh who ran a superb race to take individual silver in the Under 14 Girls competition and led the Leinster team to the provincial gold medals. She was well supported by her club colleagues in this event, Chloe Bell, Siomha Leonard, Shaynah Mitchell, Clodagh Keane and Amelie G Kelly.
In the Under 12 girls there were good performances from Caoimhe Lynam, Lauryn Smith, Katie Bohan, Isabelle Morris and Helen McGrath. In the boys Under 12 the club and county were represented by Daniel Cummins, Cillian McManus (Athlone AC), Mel Bohan, Adam O’Donoghue, Donagh Bourke, Aaron Robinson, Cillian Gavin, Conor Gavin, Cian Gavin and Noah Morgan. Daniel secured a bronze medal with the Leinster team.
In the Under 14 boys’ event the club was represented by Antonio Bertolo, Oisin Clarke, Gareth Glennon and Harry Flanagan. Mullingar come home just outside the team medals in 5th place. Eleanor Kiernan was part of the Leinster team to secure silver in the Under 16 girls, where Tianna O’Leary also performed well. Conor Walsh was the sole club representative in the Under 16 boys’ competition. With a very strong run over 4,000m Conor finished a satisfactory 18th of the 150 participants.
The boys under 18 was a very competitive race. Jamie Wallace had a fine run, backed up by Conor Liston, Donagh Carey and Oisin Kehoe, they were just outside a podium place finishing a close 5th. They had good support also from club colleagues Matthew Molloy, Luke Greene and Txema Lozano. Jamie won a bronze medal with the Leinster team. The girls Junior squad ran well and finished 5th club. There were good performances from Grace Byrne, Aibhne O’Farrell, Jessica Cunningham, Aine Gilhooly (Athlone AC), Aisling Lane and Louise Callaghan. The Mullingar boys U20 team ran with great determination and an excellent run from John Ryan, followed closely by Diarmuid Fagan, Ross Killalea, Conor Sherwin and Conleth Mullen brought the club home in 5th place and second Leinster team [MO’S].
The British and Irish Masters Cross Country International
The 35th staging of the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International took place in Belfast on Saturday. 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].
Clontarf Half Marathon.
Almost 3,500 athletes took part in the annual Clontarf Half Marathon. Run along the Clontarf Promenade, on an out and back course that takes in a section of beach, the conditions on Saturday for this year’s event were mild with a light breeze and overcast skies. Mullingar Harriers was represented by Criona Reid (1:35:05) earning her a category win, Joan Hickson (1:44:12), Sharon O’Dowd (1:50:41) and Michelle O’Halloran (2:01:42) [MO’S].
International Selection for Ian McCormack
Ian McCornack has been selected on the Irish Army team to compete in the World Military Championships which will be held in Belgium next months. Ian finished 5th in the recent An Cosantóir Army Championships, earning him the coveted international vest. Currently based at the Curragh, Ian’s name will now be added to the club’s international list of members who have gained selection to represent their country in athletics [MO’S].
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