Week ending Saturday 30th March
Diarmuid Fagan makes his International debut
Diarmuid Fagan (Colaiste Mhuire) became the Club’s latest International athlete when he competed for Ireland at the SIAB Schools Cross Country International last Saturday in Santry Demesne, Dublin against teams from England, Scotland and Wales. It was cool but sunny and there was very little wind, so conditions were perfect for running. Underfoot conditions were firm and while the hilly twisting course in Santry was not easy, it provided a testing but fair challenge for all participants. Diarmuid was part of the eight strong Irish team in the junior boys (u/15) 4,000m race and despite suffering a sore ankle he gave an excellent account of himself, finishing sixth score for Ireland, which helped Ireland to finish third team and secure the bronze team medals. This was a really well deserved honour for Diarmuid and just reward for the dedication and diligence he has shown in training and now that he has made his International debut his name will be added to the Club’s International Roll of Honour.
Jamie Battle and Sean McMullin on International duty
On the back of a very strong showing at the European Junior Cross Country in December, Jamie Battle will step up another notch when he competes in the junior men race at the World Cross Country in Aarhus, Denmark this Saturday. Jamie recently secured a qualification standard for the 5,000m at the European Junior T&F in Sweden in July, so he is certainly an athlete in form. Also on international duty will be Sean McMullin who will be part of a very large Irish masters team at the World Masters Indoors in Toruń, Poland this week where he will compete in the 3k indoor track walk and even though it’s an indoor championship, there are still some outdoor distance events and he’ll also compete in the 10k road walk. Everyone at the Club wishes Jamie and Sean the very of luck.
Tullamore 5k
The first of the eight-race Offaly road race series, the Tullamore 5k, took place last Sunday morning and among the impressive entry of nearly six hundred was Stephen Campbell who raced hard from the start and had plenty of good company to keep the pace going throughout the race and finding an extra bit for his customary fast finish was happy to place thirteenth overall in a time of 17 minutes and 18 seconds.
All-Ireland Juvenile Indoors
This coming Saturday and Sunday, the All-Ireland Juvenile Indoors will take place in Athlone IT and a big squad of Mullingar athletes will be competing in a wide range of events and we wish all of them the very best of luck. Please check the notice board in the Clubhouse for the latest time for check-in for your event. Remember, the clocks go forward an hour on Sunday, so be sure to reset your clocks before you go to bed or you might arrive in AIT an hour later then you think and miss your check-in time.
There were some very disappointed athletes and some tears in AIT for the same competition this time last year when they arrived in what they thought was plenty of time for check-in only to find they were an hour late and their race was already on the track. Fortunately, none from Mullingar, and we’d like to have none again this year, so please remember!
Return to training for u/9, 10 and 11 year olds
Training for the 6.30pm group will return next Tuesday (2nd April). Returning members please ensure that your membership is up to date; membership can be paid at the Clubhouse on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Children should be left and collected promptly after training from the Clubhouse. The Club will be accepting a limited number of new memberships for children u/9, 10 & 11 (born 2011, 2010 & 2009) in the month of April only. Please come to the Clubhouse at 6pm on Tuesday or Thursday evening to collect a membership application form. Registration for new members will close at the end of April.
Hyundai “Pat Finnerty Memorial” 5k
Keeping with last year’s format, this year the Pat Finnerty Memorial 5k will again be a single race, but with a new venue based out of the Club Grounds. There will be prizes in all the usual categories and the first man and first woman will receive the Pat Finnerty Memorial Trophies at the presentation ceremony after the race in our Clubhouse, where there will be lots of refreshments for everyone. The race is on Wednesday 8th May, which is only six weeks away. Entries are now open at www.myrunresults.com for €12.50 online or €15 on the night. We’ll also have a 1,500m race for boys and girls aged 15 and younger.
April Committee Meeting
The April meeting of the committee takes place next Tuesday 2nd April in the Club house at 8.20pm after training and a full attendance is requested.
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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