The presentation to Mullingar Harriers and Athletic Club members, Joanna Tyrrell, Bobby Begley, Greg Duggan and Margaret Daly, was made at the Texaco Service Station on Patrick Street, Mullingar, by service station manager, Karen Kenny (second left) and Valero area sales manager, Sinéad Fox (right).

Harriers are 'Texaco Support for Sport' Westmeath winners

Published: Thu 18 Sep 2025, 2:00 PM

Mullingar Harriers and Athletic Club have been chosen winners of the Westmeath County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative, and €5,000 has been presented to them to fund improvements to the clubhouse and training facilities.

Founded in 1975, Mullingar Harriers and Athletic Club celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. They have a launch of their commemoration book on Wednesday next.

From humble beginnings, with a small group, the club have produced more than 110 international Irish team selections across all age groups and athletic events. Today there are almost 600 members, split equally between male and female.

Now in its fifth year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative – organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – has an annual fund of €130,000 for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.

Previous Westmeath winners were Ringtown Camogie Club (2021), Garrycastle LGFA Club (2022), Drumraney Camogie Club (2023) and Athlone Tennis Club (2024).

James Twohig, director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, praised the work of club officials and volunteers, and noted that “since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative”.

Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan, said: “As adjudicator, and from my knowledge of sport gained at junior, senior and international level, the most reassuring aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is that it gives clubs rare access to funds which are not linked to popularity, membership size or success.”

Describing the Harriers as “deserving recipients”, he added: “Congratulations to Mullingar Harriers and Athletic Club on winning the Texaco award for Westmeath. They are steeped in Irish sporting history and is a benchmark for other sporting clubs around the country to aspire to. Well done to everyone at the club.”

Entries for the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open again in the new year for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.

Further information at TexacoSupportforSport.com.