All roads lead to Kilbeggan for All-Ireland Cross Country

It will be one of the biggest days in the history of athletics in Westmeath this coming Sunday when a huge crowd in the region of 6,000 to 7,000 are expected to descend on Kilbeggan Race Course...to witness cross country running at its very best at the AAI National Inter-County and Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Finals.With all children given free entry, stars like John Treacy, Eamonn Coghlan and Catherina McKiernan who will be attending the event will be in big demand for autographs.The junior and senior races are selection races for the European Cross Country in Dublin in December and the course at Kilbeggan will certainly be a great test of endurance and stamina and will be perfect for the trials. Mullingar will have great expectations of getting in the medals in the underage races, and Mark Christie and Damien Bateman should figure prominently in the senior men's race.Even though it's a National Final, Mullingar Harriers is responsible for organising the entire event and we require as many stewards and helpers as possible, and all should be on the course at 10am to receive final instructions and be allocated tasks. Also, we need help on Saturday to make the final preparations to the course, starting at 11am. Thanks to the Club members who gave up their time last Saturday to mark and prepare the course, there isn't too much left to do, but we still need help with the many last minute small tasks.All underage athletes should be at the course no later than 11am on Sunday. Don't be caught out like some were in Tullamore two weeks ago and leaving it to the last minute to get to the course as the crowds will be absolutely huge. You can bank on there being significant delays getting in to the grounds, so please don't leave it too late. Underfoot conditions will be soft, so supporters should have proper footwear, preferably Wellington boots. There will be a short meeting after training on Thursday for all Club members and the parents of juveniles.Medal winning performances by Club's youngest athletes at DunleerAoife Darby was the runaway winner of the 600m for girls under 9, with young Katie Daly not far behind in 11th place at the Dunleer AC Open Cross Country in Darver, Co. Louth last Sunday (16th Nov). Andrew Daly was second in the corresponding 600m for boys under 9, and with great support from John Whitelaw 3rd and Ronan McHugh, these young lads won medals for 1st Club and were clearly delighted with them. Competing in a large field of athletes in the 800m for boys u/11, Conor McHugh finished an excellent 5th place.These are terrific results from these young athletes and proof that the Club just keeps finding great new athletes and there's no doubt but we'll continue to see these youngsters on the medal podium for many more years to come.Masters Home CountriesCross CountryMaking her International debut in atrocious weather conditions of strong wind and very heavy rain that made the hilly and muddy course all the more difficult, Mary Scully was second Irish woman to finish and helped the Ireland team to 2nd place with a fantastic 5th place individual finish in her category at the Masters Home Countries International Cross Country in Birmingham, England last Saturday (14th Nov). There was medal success too for Geraldine Walsh who provided a vital score to earn a silver team medal in her category, adding to her International medal haul.Christy Creagh was still suffering the effects of a recent chest infection that badly affected his breathing and only 1km into the 6km race, he began to struggle but determined not to let the team down he carried on only losing out on the bronze team medals on count-back, having equaled the team score with Wales. On any other day, Christy would have finished in a better position and helped secure the medals. However, such are the trials and tribulations of International competition and won't put Christy off and hopefully he'll get his chance next year to make amends.The English teams in particular were very strong but helped by the strong performances of the Mullingar athletes and their dedicated supporters, among them Matt Glennon, Alwyn Kinane, Darragh Thornton and Aidan Creagh, the Ireland teams got among the medals in most categories. Congratulations to everyone.FixturesNovember 22: AAI Cross Country (even ages, Inter-Counties) Kilbeggan RacecourseDecember 6: AAI Cross Country (uneven ages, Novice) Coleraine, Co. LondonderryDecember 13: European Cross Country, Santry Demesne, DublinTrainingTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm. For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club's website at www.mullingarharriers.com.