Open spaces suit local cross country athletes

Mullingar Harriers club notes

When you think of the Curragh, you immediately think of big flat open fields, but the course at the Curragh last Saturday for the Leinster Senior, under 23 and Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country was anything but flat and there was certainly nothing flat about the performances of the Mullingar Harriers cross country athletes.

On a big open field near the Curragh Racecourse, hosts Newbridge AC laid out an excellent course that was ideal for spectators with clear views of the whole course and it was easy to follow the action.

The sting in the tail was the long uphill pull on the sloping field that really tested the runners. Despite that, the general consensus was that it was a tough but fair test for everyone. On the plus side, the weather was absolutely fantastic for running, as it was dry and very calm, in stark contrast to the rain and howling wind we endured in Gowran only two weeks before.

By the end of the day, despite missing a few key athletes from some teams due to injury or illness and some others not feeling one hundred percent due to illness but still running so as not to let their team mates down, Mullingar won seven juvenile Club team medals to ensure that Mullingar retains the cup for best overall juvenile cross country Club in Leinster for the twenty-sixth year in a row, an impressive record.

Our juvenile athletes also won nine top-12 individual medals, and they also won two County team medals. In the final race of the day, not to be completely outdone by the juveniles, our senior men finished second Club and third County to round off a truly impressive show of cross country prowess by Mullingar.

In tribute to Irish International athlete Ciara Mageean who died recently, the finish straight was bedecked with lots of Club flags and there was a minute's silence before the girls under 11 race. Later in the day, before the senior women's race, a short audio clip of Ciara was played with some commentary and part of her post-race interview after she won the 1,500m European title followed by a warm round of applause in memory of one of Ireland’s greatest athletes.

The first Championships race of the day was the under 11 girls 1,500m where we had a very big team of 12 Mullingar girls to cheer for, boosted by three girls from Athlone AC on the Westmeath team.

Always in contention throughout, it was only in the closing stages that Tara Coyne had to let the eventual winner away, but she chased hard to finish in second place, and was joined in the top-12 places by Mia Barry who raced to a fantastic fifth place. Following them in was Cara Hickey and Hannah Lennon (Athlone AC) just outside the individual medal places, then Zoe O’Donoghue with the vital fourth score for the Club team and Meabh Doyle with the vital sixth score for the County team.

Packing really well in support and giving their all for the team was Eibhlin Reihill, Alannah Grehan (Athlone AC), Ciara Shine (Athlone AC), Alana Spain, Cliodhna Fitzpatrick, Sophie Whitelaw, Laila Morgan and Fodhla Hughes. It was no surprise that Mullingar placed first Club by a big margin, and it was double joy for the girls who placed first County, but in a tighter finish.

Unfortunately, Kaia Daly got sick during the race and was unable to finish but was recovered well enough to be able to celebrate the double victory afterwards with her team-mates.

We had a huge team too in the under 11 boys 1,500m too, led home by Rian Healy fighting hard to cross the line in ninth place to win an individual top-12 medal, followed by Shay Gavigan, Armandas Tavoras, Robert Bohan, Tadhg Smith, Rory Grehan, Senan Whelehan, Aidan Buckley, Joe Hickey, Liam McLoughlin, Peter Ahearne, Matteo Fitzpatrick, Conor Kiernan, Jamie Gilligan, Senan Byrne and Fionn Quinn (Athlone AC) providing great team support to see Mullingar place second Club and Westmeath place a very creditable fifth County.

Sensing they were just outside the top 12, Helen McGrath and Lauryn Smith raced hammer and tongs up the finish straight of the under 13 girls 2,500m, crossing the line in 13th and 14th places respectively, just missing individual medals, but with Maisie Walsh finishing very fast and well up, followed by Caitlin Doyle also well up, hopes were high for team success.

With great support from Roisin Keane, Ella Kilduff, Rose Harte, Ellen Cummins, Shona Rice, Alannah Rice, Heather Kelly, Caitlin McCormack and Eimear Nohilly, team success followed as the girls placed second Club, with the same points as the winners, and only losing out on count-back as their fourth place finisher was ahead of our fourth place finisher. A very close team finish to a very exciting race.

On to the under 13 boys 2,500m where Mel Bohan was first finisher for Mullingar, out of the individual medal places, but on paper a strong team and with great racing by Olly Loughrey, Donagh Bourke and Ethan Byrne the boys placed third Club to book their places in the National finals.

Running in hard behind them in support was Liam Ahearne, Noah Morgan, Jack Ahearne, John Healy, Oisin Quinn (Athlone AC), Tadhg McManus and Gearoid Doyle, out of the County medal places, but top marks for effort.

Chloe Bell, Siomha Leonard, Caoimhe Lynam and Aoife Dunne packed tight at the finish of the under 15 girls 3,500m to place third Club, just one point ahead of fourth place, showing how vital every place is in cross country.

Packing in well behind them in great support was Lukrecija Jukneviciute, Grace Farry, Clodagh Keane, Isabelle Morris, Katie Bohan, Amelie G Kelly, Abigail Nohilly and Aoibheann Quinn (Athlone AC), the girls placed fourth County, so we can also send a County team to the National finals.

Adam O’Donoghue had the honour of leading the Mullingar team home in the under 15 boys 3,500m but despite great efforts by John McManus, Rian Gavin, Harry Flanagan, Conor Gavin, Cillian Gavin and Maks Bujok the team placed fifth Club, missing fourth and a place in the National finals by just four points, a big disappointment for this talented team.

It was surprise that the under 17 girls 4,500m turned into a great battle up front featuring Lily Walsh and racing hard right to the end, Lily crossed the line in second place to book her place in the national finals. Despite the efforts of Muirin Dunne, Beibhinn O’Reilly and Tara Lynch, the team finished outside the medal places, but top marks for effort.

Even though Cillian Galvin had an off day by his high standards, Mullingar showed great strength in depth in the under 17 boys 4,500m. Oisin Clarke was absolutely delighted to finish in fourth place, followed by Cillian Galvin who really dug deep to hang on in the closing stages to finish ninth.

Sergio Solera and Morgan Isdell sprinted hard to the line, crossing in a near photo finish, and with Evan Nohilly, Emmet Carolan and Robert Whelan packing closely with great team spirit, the boys were delighted to finish first Club, but only by a single point, and third County on count-back. These were incredibly close finishes that show how important every single place is in cross country team running.

Eleanor Kiernan led the Mullingar team home in the u/19 girls 5,000m after a great race, powering home in fourth place, followed by Tianna O’Leary who snatched the final top-12 individual medal with a spirited effort on the home straight.

With two girls finished, attention turned to the rest of the team and with Lydia McDonnell, Blathnaid Peters and Emma Lagan leaving nothing behind and packing very well together to finish in close order, it was first Club and fourth County for Mullingar.

The final juvenile race of the day was the U19 boys 5,000m where Conor Walsh kept himself in contention at the business end of the race throughout and was rewarded for his efforts by an excellent fifth place finish and an individual medal, guaranteeing his place in the National finals.

Following him in with a great sprint battle on the home straight was Daniel Glennon and Luke Greene, finishing just outside the top-20. It’s a terrible shame we didn't have a fourth runner to make a team as we would have definitely won silver team medals at the very least.

With the conclusion of the juvenile programme, attention turned to the senior races. We had no team in the Senior and under 23 Women 6,000m race but Orlaith Flanagan and Louise Callaghan made the most of it, putting in strong performances and it was a top-20 finish for Orlaith, and Louise a very creditable sixth under 23 woman.

The final race of the day was the Senior and under 23 Men 9,000m where Conor Sherwin put in a great effort over the six laps of the tough course, finishing in excellent eleventh place overall, just missing a medal in the under 23 category. Following him just a few seconds behind was Andy Nevin (Coralstown Kinnegad AC), which would prove invaluable for the County team.

Racing hard behind them for every place and providing terrific team support was Kevin Moore, Mark Darby, Shane McLoughlin and the team was completed by Conleth Mullen providing the invaluable sixth score for the County team. Showing how every place counts, the Mullingar men placed second Club, holding off third place on count-back, the tightest of margins, and third County by a narrow margin, adding the final set of medals to Mullingar’s collection after a long and exciting day of competition.

Thanks to the parents and coaches that attended to support our teams, especially our young under 11 teams where some of them were competing in their first Leinster Championship races, so they really needed plenty of attention and support to keep any nerves at bay. The juvenile even age teams that have qualified from The Curragh – six on a Club team and ten on a County team – will go forward to the National finals in Dublin in December [GD].

Sean McMullin honoured by Irish Masters

At the Irish Master Athletes Association Awards held in Dublin last Saturday evening, Sean McMullin received the Male Master Athlete of the year Award for 2026. This is a very fitting tribute to Sean and is in recognition of a tremendous year for him, winning multiple Leinster, National and International medals, but especially three gold medals and European titles and a team silver at the European Masters Indoors in Poland in March, and three gold medals and World titles at the World Masters T&F in South Korea in August. Congratulations to Sean from everyone at Mullingar Harriers [GD].

Team Gold for Kevin Moore in Munster Cross Country

The Munster Senior Cross Country Championships took place last Sunday week (Nov 1) in Conna, Cork with St Catherine’s AC hosting the event. It was a beautiful autumn day with plenty of sunshine and underfoot conditions were excellent. In the senior men's race, Kevin Moore competed, running for his native Tipperary in the team race. He finished in an excellent seventeenth place. He was part of the Tipperary County team who won gold and were crowned Munster Senior Champions. Kevin was the fifth score for the team of six and helped secure victory over Cork by just five points, emphasising the importance of every place in team races over cross country [MO’S].

Bordeaux 10k

Included in the race programme for the Bordeaux Half Marathon last Sunday afternoon was a 10k that attracted an entry of over 4,500 finishers. Using the 10k to sharpen up for the National Senior Cross Country in Dublin in two weeks was Michael Murphy, in his competitive debut for Mullingar. Showing that he is coming into form, Michael was pleased to finish well up in 30:16. This result will give him confidence ahead of the Nationals in two weeks, where he will be part of a very strong Mullingar team [GD].

Dressing for the cold

It’s getting cold at training now, so it’s a good time to remind everyone that they should wear appropriate running gear for the cold weather. Warm clothing is essential and that includes going to and from training and competition. A pair of lightweight gloves, a woolen hat and a few layers of warm clothing is all it takes. Having a warm sweatshirt, fleece or jacket for after training is especially important. Parents of younger members should insist that they wear the proper clothing. Lightweight running tights or leggings are recommended and will give protection against the cold. Athletes not properly dressed against the cold weather will not perform to their best.

Road Safety

As the evenings are now dark very early, all Club members are reminded that they must wear reflective clothing when running on the road at night. That includes all who use our Club grounds and who run from the Clubhouse on training nights. Safety is a must at all times.