Last month, we were lucky to finish day three of the Leinster Cross Country just before Storm Ashley unleashed its worst. Last Saturday, we had another lucky escape, as the worst of Storm Bert was behind us for day four. Dodging two storms in three weeks must be some kind of record!

Fortunately, Storm Bert blew itself out overnight and didn’t have much impact on the Leinster “B” Cross Country and Mixed Cross Country Relays, held at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois. While strong winds knocked down parts of the course, officials from Oughaval AC, the event hosts, worked hard early that morning to repair the damage. The overnight rain cleared, but it left the course soft in some places. However, it was the wind, more than the soft ground, that drew comments from the athletes. Despite the wind, the day stayed mostly dry, with only the occasional light shower. We certainly dodged a bullet with the storm’s timing.

The day began with the mixed relays, an “A” Championship event, which saw fierce competition in every race. In the 4 x 250m U11 mixed relay, Mullingar's Kate Horohoe, Olly Wright, Laura Buckley, and Noah Morgan gave it their all, finishing well but just out of the medals. In the 4 x 250m U13 mixed relay, Mullingar’s Liadan Gavin, Cillian Gavin, Mina Sheridan, and Donnacha Doyle showed terrific determination, finishing fifth in a very close race. All our relay runners used this as a warm-up for their later “B” cross country races—a true testament to their fitness.

Moving to the “B” Championships, Kate Horohoe led the Mullingar team home in the U11 girls 1,000m. Despite strong efforts from Heather Kelly, Lyla Lennon Currill, Laura Buckley, and Madeleine O’Brien, the team finished out of the medals, but their effort was top class. In the U11 boys 1,000m, Olly Wright finished fifth and Noah Morgan tenth, backed up by great runs from Emmet Walsh and Senan Clinton, leading the Mullingar boys to team gold.

In the U13 girls 1,500m, Liadan Gavin, Aoife Dunne, Lily McDonald, and Mina Sheridan finished strong and packed well, placing a brilliant fourth as a Club, just missing out on medals. We didn’t field a team in the U13 boys 1,500m, but Cillian Gavin and Donnacha Doyle produced excellent individual performances in a very competitive race. The final race with Mullingar interest was the U15 girls 2,500m, where Amelie R Kelly finished a very close thirteenth, just missing out on an individual top-12 medal. Muirin Dunne followed closely, running impressively after stepping up an age.

The Leinster “B” competitions offer ideal opportunities for Club members who don’t make the “A” teams, or are new to the sport, or might be anxious about racing. We encourage more of our athletes to participate in these events, with support from parents, as these competitions are key for athlete development.

National Senior Cross Country Update

At the National Senior Cross Country in Enniskillen, our Senior Women’s team finished a commendable eighth Club and sixth County overall. Even better, they were the first “B” County, earning National gold medals for Claire Fagan, Susan Glennon, Ciara Foy, Sinead Whitelaw, and Orlaith Flanagan.

Mullingar Hunts for National Cross Country Glory

After a thrilling day one of the National Cross Country in Enniskillen, where Lily Walsh took individual silver in the U14 girls race, and Cormac Dalton secured third place in the senior men’s race and a spot on the Irish team for the European Cross Country in Turkey, Mullingar heads to Tramore this Sunday for day two. This time, we’re competing for National titles in novice women and men, and juvenile uneven age girls and boys.

Mullingar will field novice women and men teams, along with teams in seven of the ten juvenile races, and individual competitors in the other three races. With over 20 adults and nearly 50 juveniles entered, Mullingar’s colours will be prominent in Tramore.

While we didn’t win any underage Club team medals in Enniskillen, three athletes took home medals with Leinster teams. Many athletes were running out of age there, and Tramore will be a different story when they compete in their own age groups. Based on their Enniskillen performances, many have strong prospects of winning National medals this Sunday.

Seventeen of our juvenile athletes will also represent Leinster, the largest number from any Club in the province. After weeks of hard training at the Club and in Belvedere, we hope many will return with National medals.

Please let Club officials know if for any reason you cannot compete. The first race is at 11.30am, and as crowds at All-Irelands are larger than at Leinster events, allow extra time for traffic and parking. Aim to be at the course by 10.30am at the latest.

Remember to wear your Club vest, and bring water, snacks, wet gear, a change of clothes, and long spikes. Spectators should dress appropriately for the weather.