Walsh takes second on all-Irish podium in Budapest

Harriers on international Duty in Hungary and Italy

Three athletes from Mullingar Harriers AC were on international duty last week in under 18 competitions, Daniel Glennon at the European U18 T&F in Rieti (Italy) and Conor and Lily Walsh at the FISEC-FICEP Games in Budapest (Hungary).

This year’s FISEC-FICEP Games was the 76th edition and more than 1,000 athletes under the age of 18 years from Catholic schools around the world participated. The Games, consisting of multiple sports, are a week-long event and will have given both Conor Walsh and Lily Walsh huge experience in the formalities and routines of an international championship event, including opening and closing ceremonies, visiting the track for practise sessions and competition, and daily life in the athlete village passing time and mixing with groups from across the globe.

Conor, a student at Coláiste Mhuire, represented the Irish team in the 3,000m. The race was held on Thursday morning, but not quite early enough to escape the hot weather. Although the morning was slightly overcast, the temperatures were creeping up on 30degC as the sun broke through the light cloud cover. Regardless, Conor set about his race with purpose, immediately sitting in behind a small lead pack.

As the race unfolded, Conor’s team mate, Irish 3,000m U18 Champion, Alex Downey, pushed for glory and spread the field wide open. A long, hard race ensued and the temperatures started to take their toll before the finish line came into sight. Conor, making his first international outing in an Irish vest, finished in a brilliant fifth place, crossing the line exhausted from the efforts of racing in the heat. A fine debut in green, and one to remember as Conor has done himself, his school and his club proud.

On Friday the temperatures had climbed even more. As Lily, from Loreto College, made her way to the track for the late afternoon 1,500m, the official forecasts predicted temperatures of 34degC but the thermometer at the venue was displaying a blistering 37degC.

Ice-cold drinks, wet towels, portable fans, and every other trick her coach could think of were utilised to keep her body temperature down during pre-race preparations. But when the starter’s gun sounded, all focus was on the race and Lily sat in the leading group waiting until the main moves unfolded.

The Irish girls were to the fore in this race and when the bell rang for the last lap, a group of five athletes broke from the pack and began an all-out sprint for the finish. It was the three Irish girls who crossed the line in first, second and third for a clean sweep,and Lily, at just 15 years of age, split the two U18 to finish in second place.

This was Lily’s fourth time representing Ireland and no doubt her highest profile event. In each of Lily’s previous internationals she helped Irish teams to podium finishes, but this time she picked up her first individual international medal, a great sign of progress at a high level of competition.

In addition to two great performances, Conor and Lily helped the Irish boy and girl teams to overall team victories in the T&F events.

Congratulations to both Conor and Lily on two great races, and they’ll be sure to cherish the memories.

Now that Conor has made his international debut, his name will be added to the club’s International Roll of Honour, the 136th club member to represent Ireland in international competition [CW].

European U18 T&F

It was already 30degC and rising at 9.30am last Saturday in Rieti (Italy) when Daniel Glennon toed the line for the 5,000m race walk at the European U18 T&F Championships, his first major European championship race. Running the first kilometre bang on schedule set him up for a good race and he stuck to his pre-race plan up to the halfway point, but as the laps wound down, the heat took its toll.

He began to suffer tightness in his legs but he pressed on the best as he could to finish a creditable 15th in 22:52.49, about a minute and a half off his best, but not surprising given the tough conditions he had to race in. Well done to Daniel and the valuable experience gained will stand to him for future competitions [GD].

Individual and team medals at National 10 Mile

In contrast to the heatwave in the week leading up to the race, a more moderate 18degC with a light breeze was welcomed by the more than 1,600 runners who faced the Irish Runner National 10 Mile in the Phoenix Park last Sunday morning. With stiff climbs, combined with long undulating stretches, it was a fair but challenging race for everyone, but it was still warm and that added to the challenge. Mullingar Harriers had eight athletes competing.

Our masters women were chasing team medals as well as having Mary Stuart and Criona Reid in the chase for individual medals. It was bronze for Criona in her master category with a time of 1:11:15, Mary comfortably won gold in her master category with a time of 1:13:12, and Marie Louise Johnston provided the vital third score for the team with her time of 1:14:37, earning a fine eighth place in her master category. When their three times were combined, the team finished second club to take home team silver.

Emer O’Hanlon came agonisingly close to a podium finish in her master category with her time of 1:16:49, a fine run to take fourth. Linda Cunningham ran 1:17:03, finishing a creditable 12th in her master category.

In the men’s race, newcomer Shane McLoughlin raced to an excellent 58:41, Eddie Newman continued his consistency in national events, winning gold in his master category with a time of 1:03:41, while Ger Gavin’s time of 1:09:30 put him in the top 20 in his master category [MO’S].

National masters medals for Paddy and Aidan

The National Masters Combined Events took place in a warm and sunny Santry last Saturday, when Mullingar had two master men competing in the Pentathlon, five events spread across a long day of competition.

Aidan O’Donoghue competed alongside master men that were five years younger than him, but he still scored in his own masters age category. Clearly spurred on and encouraged by competing with younger men, Aidan revelled in the competition, placing third overall in the long jump third (first in his age), first in the javelin, fifth in the 200m (first in his age), first in the discus, and fifth in the final event the gruelling 1,500m (first in his age). After a long day, his points total placed him third overall and first in his age group to win the national gold.

Paddy Boyhan also had the benefit of competing alongside master men five years younger than him, which also spurred him on to give his best. He began with second in the long jump (first in his age), third in javelin, 200m, discus and 1,500m but first in his age in these events too, and his total score placed him third overall and first in his age to win national gold too.

Congratulations to Aidan and Paddy on their successes [GD].

AAI Outdoor Games

Jamie Wallace dropped down to the 800m last Sunday at the AAI Outdoor Games in Santry, to sharpen up for the National Senior 1,500m this coming weekend. Jamie went through 400m in 55.5 seconds, on the inside, mid-pack and happy to be pulled along by specialist 800m runners. With 200m to go, Jamie started to close and came home strongly in a time of 1:54.04, a big personal best for a distance he hasn’t raced in for more than two years [TW].

Connacht Outdoor T&F

The Connaught U20, Senior and Masters T&F Championships took place in sun drenched Claremorris last Wednesday evening. Athletes from outside the province were welcome to compete and their attendance added to the great atmosphere on a warm sunny evening. Aidan O’Donoghue was delighted to pick up gold in his master category in the 200m in a time of 30.04 seconds, running into a stiff headwind of -2.8m/s. He also secured silver in the Javelin with a good series of throws, his best of 33.80m coming in the fourth round [AO’D].

Oldcastle 5k

Hosted by St Brigid’s AC, the Oldcastle 5k last Wednesday attracted 320 runners on a warm and sunny evening. Being reasonably local, it’s no surprise that Mullingar Harriers had athletes taking part. Andy Boyhan was happy with his race, finishing strongly in 10th place in 17:52. Big shout-out to young Siomha Leonard, who finished an excellent 32nd place overall in 20:38, third woman and first U20 woman to finish [GD].

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