Week ending Saturday 6th July
International selections for Matthew Glennon, Oisin Lane, Charles Okafor and Claire Fagan
It’s been an exciting week of announcements of International selection for a number of Mullingar athletes. Second place in both the 100m and 200m at the recent Inter-Provincial Schools T&F meant that Charles Okafor was certain to be selected for the Irish team to compete at the Schools International T&F in Wales in two weeks time, but last Wednesday morning, just the day before the Schools team was finalised, subject to ratification and approval by the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Athletics Ireland provisionally nominated the Irish team to compete at the European Youth Olympic Festival to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan and has included Charles in the 200m and the medley relay. Oisin Lane has also been nominated to compete in the 10,000m race walk. Oisin is no stranger to International duty but for Charles this will be his International debut.
A day later, last Thursday afternoon the Irish team to compete at the Schools International T&F in Swansea was announced and includes Matthew Glennon (St. Finian’s Mullingar) to compete in the 3,000m race walk. Matthew made his International debut in the same event last year, so is familiar with the standard of competition.
Finally, last Sunday morning Athletics Ireland named Claire Fagan on the Irish team that will compete at the European u/23 T&F in Gävle, Sweden. This is Claire’s first Major Championship and she will compete in the 10,000m. Also on the team are Eoin Sheridan (North Westmeath AC) and Niamh Fogarty (Raheny AC), who will compete in the discus, giving Westmeath three representatives in Sweden.
Congratulations to Oisin, Charles, Matthew and Claire (and Eoin and Niamh) on their selections, which are great personal honours, and honours for their families and their Clubs.
Medal successes at All-Ireland u/12 and u/13 T&F
After the early morning cloud quickly cleared and the day progressed in Tullamore last Saturday at the All-Ireland u/12 and u/13 T&F Finals, it began to get very hot as the sun climbed high in the sky, but the action on the track was just as hot for the young Mullingar athletes in action.
Kyle Faherty had no problem qualifying from his heat of the 80m u/13 and in the final blasted from the blocks and looked very strong throughout but was very unlucky to miss out on a medal by a mere one hundredth of a second as he finished fourth, despite running significantly quicker in the final.
Matthew Molloy easily wore the mantle of pre-race favourite in the 600m u/12 and right from the gun attacked the race by going straight to the front and as the clock ticked by he slowly opened a lead that was just impossible to close and in the final few metres he allowed himself a quick look behind to make sure he was well clear before raising his arms in victory as he crossed the line to record a fine win and another All-Ireland title. As expected in the 600m u/13, Conor Liston and Jamie Wallace were right in the mix from the very start but a minor collision after about 250m caused Conor to stumble and nearly fall. He managed to just maintain his balance but lost valuable ground on the leaders, including Jamie. Hitting the front just before the back straight, Jamie was full of running and pulling clear of the field. He was caught and passed on the back straight but he kept his form and pushed on hard, leaving the rest of field behind. Conor made his move into third place with 200m to go and chased hard after Jamie but the gap was too much to close and Jamie held on to second place, followed closely over the line by the very fast finishing Conor in third.
The Mullingar 4x100m u/13 relay team looked impressive winning their heat easily, but Midleton AC from Cork was equally impressive in theirs, running slightly faster than Mullingar, setting the two Clubs up for a great battle in the final. Led off by Luke O’Leary, there was nothing between Mullingar and Midleton at the first change to Conor Liston who powered down the long back straight to pass the baton to James Flynn with the two teams still very close together. James absolutely tore around the final bend and passed to Kyle Faherty marginally in front and it came down to a furious sprint finish with Mullingar narrowly beaten into second place in a thrilling race.
Well done to our group of six young athletes on their exploits in Tullamore where they all won an All-Ireland medal of some colour. For some this was their final race of the season and they can now take a well earned break.
Masters Race Walk medals for Sean McMullin
Now in its thirteenth year, the BMAF 5km Road Race Walk Championship took place two weeks ago (Sunday 16th June) in Horwich, near Bolton, and among the starters was Sean McMullin maintaining his unbroken record of competing in each event since it was first held. After a fast start to the race the field very quickly became spread out. Despite the lack of company of a group around him Sean kept his focus and with a very consistent pace on the hilly course he finished well up in 30:23, placing an excellent 9th overall and 3rd in his master category.
Sean added to his considerable collection of race walk titles when he won his category of the 3,000m race walk in the Northern Ireland Masters T&F at the Mary Peter’s Track in Belfast last Saturday afternoon, a further useful test of progress in his preparations for the European Masters T&F in Venice, Italy in September.
Recent road races
Patricia Broderick was the Club’s sole representative at the Clonee 10k last Thursday evening when nearly 400 finishers enjoyed a fantastic sunny and warm evening for running. With plenty of company to run with, Patricia finished in a fine 47:34 to take third prize in her master category.
It might have been overcast in Kilcock last Friday evening but conditions were still very warm and humid for the St. Coca’s AC Kilcock 5k, which took place a relatively flat course that lends itself to fast times and good performances. The race attracted a record attendance of nearly 560 runners, joggers and walkers. Clearly revelling in the good company, Eddie Newman finished well up in 17:25 to win his master category by nearly one minute, just ahead of Alan Crowley finishing in a fine 17:35, with PJ Ballesty completing the Mullingar trio that took part.
There was nothing easy about the hilly course for the Derravaragh 5k and 10k Road Races last Sunday, races that were organised in aid of Community Services Group, Multyfarnham, but at least temperatures were more comfortable than recent days. Mullingar athletes were out in force among the good turnout of 170 and won plenty of prizes, including a clean sweep of top prizes in both the 5k and 10k races.
Andrew Nevin won the 5k in 17:09, followed home by Barry McDonald in second place (19:31), then first woman Linda Conroy in third place in 19:44, just ahead of Ger Brady fourth (20:29) and second woman Andrea Brady sixth (22:42). Top spot in the 10k went to James Keegan in 35:24, with Gerard Gavin third (36:40), followed by Eoin Clarke (38:10), first woman Aine O’Reilly eleventh (39:12), Enda Seery (41:45), Colm McCormack (42:41), Evan McCormack (44:48), Val Bohan (44:48), Colm Walsh (45:15), Michael O’Sullivan (45:34), Declan Costello (47:32), Jane Creevy (47:47), Criona Reid (48:42), Linda Cunningham (48:51), Linda O’Driscoll (49:37), Kevin O’Brien (49:46), Ruth Greene (54:15) and PJ Ballesty.
Sarah Glennon to compete in Spain
Everyone at the Club wishes the very best of luck to Sarah Glennon who heads with an Athletics Leinster team to Tortosa in northeast Spain this week for the CSIT Games where she will compete in the 3,000m race walk.
All-Ireland “B” T&F
Anyone from u/12 to u/16 who competed in the recent Leinster Juvenile T&F and did not qualify for the All-Ireland finals in any event is eligible to compete in the “B” All-Ireland finals on Sunday 21st July in Tullamore. The events are sprint, middle distance, long jump, high jump and shot and athletes may enter two events. Entries close next week and if you want to be entered let Greg know at training.
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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