Silver turns to gold for Harriers athlete Murphy

Michael Murphy of Tullamore Harriers has had his silver medal upgraded to gold in the National Novice Men's Cross Country Championship.

The reason for the change in placings was that the race winner on the day, Bohermeen AC's Kevin McGrath, was ineligible to compete for the national title due to a previous success at national level.

And so, what was already a memorable day at Navan Racecourse for Murphy has now become even better as the Tullamore Harriers athlete has been crowned national champion.

Michael, who took the Leinster Novice title in Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny a few weeks ago, has now added the national crown to his collection after recording a time of 19:37 over the 6,000m distance.

Michael from Kilbeggan is a son of Teresa and Mick Murphy, with the latter well known in athletics circles as a competitor and coach.

Murphy's elevation to gold means William Fitzgerald (Craughwell AC) is moved up to silver and Dylan Casey of Ennis Track AC claims a bronze medal.

Tullamore Harriers AC has extended "huge congratulations" to Michael, noting that he has claimed the first ever national Novice title for the club.

The club had words of comfort for Kevin McGrath saying it was "an unfortunate turn of events" for him as "it transpired that he was ineligible due to a prior national title".

The Tullamore club also complimented Michael's teammates Gary Whittle, Liam Byrne, Sean Reynolds and Peter Bennett, who also lined out in the blue and white singlet of Tullamore Harriers.

Revised results for the Novice men's category are listed below, as well as the other results.

Novice Men (6,000m)

1 Michael MURPHY (Tullamore Harriers AC), 19:37

2 William FITZGERALD (Craughwell AC), 19:39

3 Dylan CASEY (Ennis Track AC), 19:51.

Novice Women (4,000m)

1 Lucy HOLMES, 14:43, West Waterford AC.

2 Roise ROBERTS, 14:50, North Belfast Harriers

3 Amy POLLMAN DAAMEN, 14:50, An Ríocht AC.

U11 Girls

1 Grace TIGHE, Moy Valley AC.

2 Kate KELLY, Kilkenny City Harriers AC.

3 Lainey SHERIDAN, Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. AC.

U11 Boys

1 Riain DUIGNAN, St. Cronan's AC.

2 Ronan GEANEY, St. Catherine's AC.

3 Harry McVEIGH Newcastle and District AC.

U13 Girls

1 Nellie BATEMAN, Belgooly AC.

2 Ruby FARRELLY, Templeogue AC.

3 Lily WALSH, Mullingar Harriers AC.

U13 Boys

1 Cillian GALVIN, Mullingar Harriers AC.

2 Eoghan LOONEY, Blarney/Inniscara AC.

3 Daniel GALLAGHER, Moy Valley AC.

U15 Girls

1 Freya RENTON, Westport AC.

2 Madison WELBY, City of Lisburn AC.

3 Holly RENTON, Westport AC.

U15 Boys

1 Charlie O'NEILL, Donore Harriers AC.

2 Kyrell MTINSI, Kilkenny City Harriers AC.

3 Rory ARMSTRONG, Lagan Valley AC.

U17 Girls

1 Emily BOLTON, Donore Harriers AC.

2 Clara CASEY, Foyle Valley AC.

3 Ava DIVER, Beechmount Harriers AC.

U17 Boys

1 Caolan McFADDEN Cranford AC.

2 Noah HARRIS, Parnell AC.

3 Cillian GLEESON Celbridge, AC.

U19 Girls

1 Lucy FOSTER, Willowfield Harriers

2 Nicole DINAN, Leevale AC.

3 Kirsti Charlotte FOSTER, Willowfield Harriers

U19 Boys

1 Sean LAWTON, Durrus AC.

2 Lughaidh MALLON, Lagan Valley AC.

3 David WILLIAMS, St. Senan's AC.