National Indoor title for Brendan Marshall

Brendan Marshall has been in terrific long jump winning form all season and it all came together again for him at the AAI Indoor Championships in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast where he jumped another personal best (6.94m) to finish third overall.This is Brendan"s first National Senior title and is a very well deserved reward for this dedicated athlete and he now looks forward with great confidence to representing DCU at the Irish University Indoors.Another Club man that hit excellent form at the Odyssey was Kevin Duggan when he ran a personal best in the 60m heats (7.12sec) on Saturday, and looked extremely easy doing so, to win his heat and qualify for the semi-finals on Sunday. However, athletics can be very cruel and just as Kevin was moving out of the initial 30m acceleration phase in Sunday"s semi-final, and looking like he would run another personal best and possibly qualify for the final, he was forced to pull up suddenly with a recurrence of a recent hamstring injury and could only jog to the finish line.A cruel blow for Kevin and it is very likely he will miss out joining Brendan on the DCU team at the Irish University Indoors. He now faces into another period of rehabilitation to re-build for the outdoor season but can take some comfort from his personal best performance though, which will stand him good stead in the outdoor season.Little AthleticsMcDonald"s in Mullingar was host to over 50 of our younger members last Friday, February 6 where they were treated royally by McDonalds as promised before Christmas after several parents of young children in the Club completed their training as Athletics Leaders. The training was delivered at the Club over several nights by Pat Ryan of AAI. Little Athletics is designed to address the specific physical requirements of children in the 5 to 10 year old age bracket and this initiative by AAI is sponsored by McDonalds. Last Friday was part of this support, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone there and sincere thanks to the local McDonalds management for organising the evening.Expanding the Road League?There has been great reaction and a lot of interest in the idea expressed in last week"s Notes of expanding the Road League and organizing road races in parts of Westmeath that haven"t seen a road race in many years. We"ll keep you posted.Rás na hÉireannThe venue for this year"s Rás na hÉireann on Sunday, February 22 has been confirmed as the historic 'Battle of the Boyne' site at Oldbridge, Drogheda, Co. Louth, which is on the south bank of the River Boyne, 3km north of Donore Village. The site is sign-posted from off the N51 (Slane/Drogheda Road), off the M1 (Dublin/Belfast) and off the N2 (Slane/ Ashbourne). There will be races for boys and girls under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, together with races for senior and master men and women. This is an ideal competition for newcomers, so following the success the Club had at last year"s Rás, we expect that a good number from the Club, especially the very many young newcomers will be only too ready to 'do battle' this year.Entries for IndoorChampionships - Days 2 & 3Last chance is this week to confirm your entry for days 2 and 3 of the Leinster under 12 to 19 years on 28th Feb/1st March (see the Club notice board for details). Tell Greg what events you wish to compete in and remember that all entries must include the 2009 AAI registration number, so it is vital that athletes have paid their subscription otherwise they cannot be entered. By the way, only those who train regularly can expect to be entered for the Leinster indoors.Last Sunday"s weather was far from ideal but we"re hoping for better this Sunday and expect a full turn out at 11am in Belvedere where everyone will be put through their paces in preparation for the indoors at the end of the month. Everyone is asked to stay in the reception area and await instruction before all heading out together for a warm up lap and then breaking up into the different training groups. No solo runs please.Leinster SchoolsBefore the Leinster indoors of course, many Club athletes will be in action representing their schools and colleges at the Leinster Schools cross country in Santry Demesne this Wednesday, February 11 where they are wished every success in their quest for places at the All-Ireland Schools cross country finals at Jordanstown, Belfast on 7th March.This coming Sunday the Club will be represented at the AAI National Intermediate and Masters cross country championships in Tymon Park, Dublin with men and women master teams, an Intermediate women"s team and individual entries in the Intermediate men"s race and they are wished every success.Finally, the Executive and members of the Club wish to extend sincere sympathy to Sarah Mescall and the Mescall family on the recent death of her grandfather, Miko Finneran of Boyle, Co. Roscommon. May he rest in peace.Fixtures11th Feb. (Wednesday) Leinster Schools Cross Country, Santry15th Feb. AAI National Intermediate & Masters Cross Country, Tymon Park22nd Feb. Rás na hÉireann Cross Country, Oldbridge, Drogheda28th Feb/1st March. Leinster Indoors Days 2 & 3 (u/12-19), Nenagh1st March. AAI National Senior & Junior Cross Country, SantryCheck the Club"s website <>at www.mullingarharriers.com for results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures.