Week ending Saturday 5th February
Mullingar Masters Indoor Success
A big entry across all events and no restrictions on spectator numbers indoors for the first time in two years, made for an exciting atmosphere at the AAI National Masters Indoors in Athlone last Sunday, and as expected, Mullingar athletes were to the fore in their events.
Pauric Brady contested the 1,500m and despite putting in a great effort in a very fast race, had to settle for a place out of the medals, in fifth, but top marks for effort. Mullingar had two very experienced athletes in the 3,000m race walk where Colm Walsh left nothing on the track in this very technical event to finish second overall but winning his age category to put Mullingar on the medal board. Showing his class too under the ever vigilant eyes of the judges was Sean McMullin who also comfortably won his age category to give Mullingar its second gold medal of the day, finishing faster than men ten years his junior, such is his prowess in the event.
While the walks were underway, Aidan O’Donoghue was competing in the high jump where he was delighted to win by a narrow margin to add a National gold medal to his growing collection of master medals. Aidan also competed in the shot putt and while satisfied with his efforts, finished out of the medal places on this occasion. Sean McMullin was back on the track later in the day for the 3,000m run where he showed little sign of fatigue after his race walk victory in the morning and digging deep he finished strongly to win gold in his age category, his second gold of the day.
Universities Indoors success for Mullingar athletes
Cancelled for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Intervarsity T&F returned last Saturday when the Irish Universities Indoors took place in Athlone and among the very big entry were several student athletes from Mullingar Harriers competing for their Universities and Colleges.
First into action was Sarah Glennon (DCU) who won the 1,500m walk with ease, finishing nearly half a lap ahead of second place to add another Intervarsity medal to her growing collection. Shauna Leydon (UCD) made her Intervarsity debut in the 200m where she finished second in her heat but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to advance to the final such was the standard of competition. With six heats of the men 200m, qualification for the final was the six fastest times, so they were extremely competitive. Odhran Cully (TCD) placed third in his heat but unfortunately his time wasn’t enough to advance to the final. Making his Intervarsity indoor debut, Charles Okafor (DCU) lined up in the sixth heat and placed second in an extremely fast race but unfortunately just missed a placed in the final by a very narrow margin.
Colin D Smith (DCU) advanced safely from his heat of the 800m and in the final was right up with the pace through the bell but in a frantic sprint finish to the line, he was very unlucky to be run out of the medals and crossed in fourth place. Oisin Lane (UL) competed in the 2,000m walk in his first time competing for UL and with a polished performance finished second to win his first Intervarsity medal. The- 1,500m was run at a fierce pace from the start. Jamie Battle (DCU) led the chasing pack, going through 800m in just over two minutes, which is quick. He paid somewhat for the early effort in the closing stages and had to settle for a seventh place finish but has to be satisfied to have been so competitive for much of the race in his first indoor race of the season.
A long day ended with the 4 x 200m relays where the medals were decided on times in the heats. Shauna Leydon took the lead leg for UCD and made a valuable contribution to a good team performance that saw the UCD women finish second in their heat but it wasn’t fast enough to challenge for medals though they finished a very creditable fifth place. In the corresponding men’s event, Odhran Cully played his part for the TCD team that finished third in their heat, but their time was not fast enough to challenge for medals. Taking the baton in front on the third leg for DCU, Charles Okafor powered around the tight indoor bends, increasing the lead and handing the baton over with a big lead and DCU ran home heat winners but were narrowly beaten into second place overall on time, to give Charles his first Intervarsity medal and round off an exciting day of indoor athletics where Mullingar athletes won individual gold and silver and relay team silver medals.
Raheny 5 Mile
Always one of the most eagerly awaited and popular events on the athletics calendar, unprecedented pent up demand generated by the Covid-19 public health restrictions saw the Raheny 5 Mile last Sunday afternoon sell out early. In cool but good weather for running and thanks to the customary high standard of organisation by Raheny Shamrocks AC, the race drew just over 3,000 runners, joggers and walkers to the roads around Raheny in Dublin. The race always attracts some of the top runners in Ireland but what has made the Raheny 5 so popular over the years is that it caters for runners, joggers and walkers of all abilities.
Among the serious runners were a few from Mullingar Harriers, led home by Padraig Moran making a welcome return to competition after a long absence to finish in thirteenth place in an excellent time of 25 minutes 53 seconds. Following in behind Padraig was Eddie Newman (30:00) second in his master category, Alan Crowley (30:01), Joan Flynn (31:51) third in her master category, Michelle Bohan (32:56), Mary Stuart (35:16) first in her master category, Ann Hall (35:56), Linda Cunningham (38:40), Avril Keane (39:22) and Shaun Mills (40:06). An added bonus was a team prize for Joan, Mary and Ann as they combined to finish second master women Club.
Schools Cross Country
Well done to the many juvenile members of the Club that competed for their schools and colleges at the North Leinster Schools Cross Country in the Phoenix Park last Friday. No surprise that the Mullingar athletes were to the fore across all races and featured strongly in the individual and team results, so will compete in big numbers at the Leinster Schools Cross Country in Santry in two weeks, looking to qualify for the All-Ireland finals in Belfast in March.
Annual General Meeting Rescheduled
The Annual General Meeting has been rescheduled and will now take place in-person in the Annebrook House Hotel on Friday 18th February at 8pm. All Club members and friends are encouraged to attend to hear reports on the Club’s performance, both in competition and how it is administered, and to have a say on Club matters. The meeting will take about an hour and a half and there will be light refreshments served after the meeting.
Leinster Juvenile Indoors
It’s been a long time coming, but after a gap of two years, our underage athletes finally get to compete indoors when the Leinster Juvenile Indoors take place in Athlone this coming week-end. They haven’t been held since 2020, so more than seventy Mullingar athletes are eagerly looking forward to competing in over one hundred individual indoor events again after so long.
Welcome return of our youngest members
Just as we’re seeing a stretch in the evenings, we’re delighted that numbers at training are also stretching with the return of our youngest 8 and 9 years of age members to training this week after a break since before Christmas.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of the Club extend sincere sympathy to the Crowley family on the recent death of Johnny Crowley, a legendary pioneer of Community Games in Westmeath and beyond, and he will be very well known and remembered by a great number of members and former members that competed for Westmeath at the Community Games Finals over very many years. RIP.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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