Terrific week for Mullingar Harriers

In the week that Martin Fagan was voted the European Athlete of the Month for October 2008, our juvenile athletes put in some excellent medal winning performances at the AAI National Cross Country Championships at Tramore Racecourse last Sunday, November 23rd, keeping the Club firmly in the limelight and showing that some of them are following in Martin"s footsteps and with continued dedication to the sport could emulate his marvellous achievement in the future.Martin Fagan - European Athlete of the MonthThe European Athlete of the Month initiative was launched in January 2007 and is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of athletics in Europe. European Athletics name a male and female winner each month and selections are based on votes by the public, the media and a panel of European Athletics experts.During October, Martin was the leading European in a number of top distance races, events that seem to be dominated by athletes from Africa. After becoming the first Irish marathon runner to qualify for the Olympic Games since 1992, Martin made a big impact at the Great North Run in Newcastle in early October where he was the first European to finish, in 6th position, in a very fast time and followed this three weeks later at the Great South Run in Portsmouth where he ran another big personal best time to finish in 2nd place in the 10 mile race.Martin will now be part of the Irish team to compete at the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels on December 14 where he will be looking to improve on his 9th place finish in 2007. Everyone at Mullingar Harriers congratulates Martin on being voted European Athlete of the Month and wishes him well in the European Cross Country, where he"ll be joined by Club mate Mark Christie.Magnificent Mullingar on the National StageOnce again, as we did in 2007 in Dungarvan, Mullingar Harriers had the distinction of being the only Club in Ireland to win three team titles at the AAI National Cross Country Championships in Tramore last Sunday. Three Club titles, a County team silver, County team bronze and a County team fourth place, one individual title, and five other top-twelve finish places, rank among the best results for the Club in many years. A further recognition of the talent of our underage athletes was the acknowledgment by Leinster officials that the overall ranking of the province was greatly improved at these Championships, due in no small part to the fabulous performances of Mullingar athletes on Leinster teams.Tramore Racecourse was the venue and to say conditions were difficult is an understatement, with a narrow course, tight bends, very strong winds, and a dreadful shower in the middle of proceedings to chill everyone to the bone and remind us what cross country running is all about. While underfoot conditions were reasonable enough, the layout of the course seemed to contribute to the many trips and falls during the afternoon that kept the first aid personnel extremely busy and among the very many casualties were several Mullingar athletes.Despite being the best Club team in Leinster, the under 12 girls team were badly placed at the start line and seemed at a disadvantage from the beginning and struggled to pick their way through the very large field of 145 athletes on the narrow course. First to finish for Mullingar was Aisling Bracken, followed in by Claire Fagan, Laura Whitelaw, Aisling Moody, Niamh Quinn and Emma Glynn but out of the medal positions, which just didn"t seem right but this is a young team and many are underage again next year.It was the same start position for the under 12 boys but perhaps having seen the fate of the girls team, the boys really worked hard to find their way back into contention in the 142 strong field, which was very difficult. However, their hard work paid off and led in by Glen Gaffney, followed closely by Oisin Quinn, Patrick Shaw and Cormac Dalton, the boys were delighted to win gold for first Club. Providing terrific support were Kevin Giles, Michael Moran, Jack Stuart, James O"Leannachain, Iarlaith Daly and Conor Duncan to finish fourth county, just outside the medals but a marvellous achievement at a National Finals. Glen and Oisin also won bronze medals with the Leinster team.The under 14 girls race was a much anticipated affair with Mullingar clear favourites for the Club title. Once again, the course was frustrating for the better among the 145 participants. Elizabeth Carr was best for Mullingar, finishing in third place in a close finish, followed home by Linda Conroy and a fast finishing Ciara Hewson with Lorraine Daly just getting the edge on Donna Kiernan as fourth scorer to win Club gold, and Beth McGuire providing the vital score to win bronze for third County. Also competing and providing terrific support for the team were Lauren Casey and Lorna Moody. There was disappointment for Caoimhe Shaw who had to withdraw before the race due to illness but should recover in time for Cavan in two weeks time. More gold for Elizabeth and Linda, as Leinster won the Inter-Provincial title.Shane"s stunningperformanceShane Fitzsimons made no mistake in the under 14 boys race where he went with the leaders in a fast start and when the time came, just upped a gear and pulled clear of the field, perhaps knowing that on a course like this the only safe place was way out in front. The manner of his win was breathtaking and provided a terrific platform for Club and County success.Thomas Lynn led the chase on Shane and finished fourth in a close sprint to the line. There was drama for Mullingar shortly after the start when Padraig Moran and Liam O"Reilly took bad falls, but quickly got back on their feet to give chase, but with Padraig over 30m to the back of a crowded field of over 100 boys. In what must rank as the performance of the afternoon, Padraig tore through the field - who knows how he found the gaps - to finish 13th, just one place off an individual medal, with Liam also finishing strongly to secure Club gold.The reality of Padraig"s titanic effort only unfolded as he made his way through the finish chute, in clear pain with blood flowing down his leg. It transpired that he had sustained a nasty spike injury in the early fall that subsequently required four stitches. It never occurred to him to just stop, so determined was he to compete for the team. Aaron Glynn gave a spirited performance to follow Liam in and with Odhran Daly also running brilliantly, the boys won silver medals for second County. Shane made it three gold medals for the race, as he also led Leinster to the Inter-Provincial title.Amie Giles led the Mullingar team in the under 16 girls race, and though initially disappointed with her finish position, took comfort in the silver medal she won for her important part on the Leinster team. Amie was followed in by Arlene Coughlan, Aine O"Reilly, Cliodhna Daly and Lisa Darby but there were no team medals for the girls. The heavens opened just as the under 16 boys got underway and battling the awful wind and driving rain was a real test for the hardy boys from Mullingar. Thomas Fagan ran a terrific race and showed a real return to form when it counted and in a spirited performance finished in 12th place to secure an individual medal and a bronze medal with the Leinster team. Shane Kelleher was next in, followed by Adam Daly and Kaman Halford but unfortunately there were no team medals for these lads, such is the standard at a National Finals.The final juvenile race was the under 18 boys, where Jake Byrne and Shane Boggs were right in the mix with the leading group for the opening laps and running well. As the race unfolded, the eventual winner broke away and only Jake stayed with the smaller chasing group. However, it was clear that recent injury was hampering Jake and though it was likely that he could have taken an individual medal if he really went for it, he wisely took Joe Ryan"s sideline advice to ease back and just finish without pressurising himself and risking further injury. He finished 13th, just outside the individual medal positions but took silver with the Leinster team. Shane Boggs meanwhile ran well and finished not far behind, followed by Vincent Connolly, Jake Halford and Michael Hannon, but outside the team medal positions.Excellent performancefrom Mark ChristieWe stayed to watch Mark Christie in the senior men"s race, where as well as a National title, places on the Ireland team in the European Cross Country Championships were also on offer. Mark looked his usual relaxed self and was very much in control for much of the 10,000m race but a break at 7,000m by the eventual winner went unanswered and as the race progressed and Mark eventually shook off the attention of Gary Murray to ensure his second place finish at least, the lead was too great to close.However, perhaps the win wasn"t as important as securing a place on the Irish team, where Mark now joins Martin Fagan in Brussels in December. Mullingar Harriers is extremely lucky to have two athletes of their calibre.Again, an excellent Championships for Mullingar, and one that reinforces the Club"s formidable reputation in cross country.A word of thanks is due to the very many parents and others that made the long journey to Tramore and braved the elements to provide valuable support.A very special word of thanks also to those parents that stayed in the hotel in Waterford on Saturday night and looked after the younger juveniles, helping to make the experience of travel and staying overnight in unfamiliar surroundings before a National final a memorable one for the youngsters. Your input cannot be underestimated as without it, we might not have competed in such numbers.The Club is extremely fortunate to be able to draw on such great support when required.December CommitteemeetingThe first meeting of the new committee will take place nest Tuesday, December 2 in the Clubhouse at 8.30pm after training.Subscriptions for 2009A reminder that subscriptions for 2009 are now due and will be taken by the Registrar, Nuala Moran, and her team, over the coming weeks.Existing members are asked to confirm their details and new members must complete a registration form. Registration includes insurance and you must be registered to take part in training and competition.New members are especially requested to register and pay their subscription without delay because if they fail to do so, they will not be insured and therefore they must be asked not to come to training.Existing members are also encouraged to renew their subscription or they will not be insured from January. Registrations and subscriptions will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday nights at training.FixturesDecember 7 AAI National Cross Country (uneven ages, novice), Ballyhaise (Teagasc) College, Co. CavanJanuary 3 2009 (Saturday). Antrim International Cross Country Challenge, CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, Antrim, first race 11am (Note: new venue; not Stormont)January 18 2009. Leinster Cross Country Day 3 (Junior & Senior) and Juvenile Cross Country Relays, Tymon Park, DublinTrainingTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Sunday mornings at 11am. Meet at the reception and no spikes needed just flat running shoes.Check the Club"s website at www.mullingarharriers.com for results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures.