Mullen and Duffy win Offaly novice titles

The Offaly Novice and Masters cross country races were held in Charleville Estate Tullamore last Sunday. Ronan Duffy went into an early lead in the men's novice race over 6000 metres. On a course that was energy sapping, Duffy made light work of the conditions to come home a clear winner by almost two minutes from Maurice Fitzgerald in second place. Liam Byrne ran a steady race to finish in third place. Una Mullen won the ladies novice title run over 3500 metres in a time of 17.51. In the masters men which was 6000 metres in distance, John Harkin, Catch Grennan and Anthony Rickard were the early leaders. When Rickard dropped back, it was left to John Harkin to mount a challenge to the in-form Catch Grennan. However, Grennan managed to get a forty metre lead which Harkin could not pull back and he came home a comfortable winner by nine seconds from Harkin in second. John Donegan passed a tiring Anthony Rickard to take third place. In the masters ladies race, Liz Cuskelly led from start to finish to record an emphatic victory from Martina Conlon and Mary Walsh. Full results Novice Men 6000 metres. 1 Ronan Duffy 23.46; 2 Maurice Fitzgerald 25.43; 3 Liam Byrne 26.06. Guest Maire Triona O'Connor 25.31. Novice Ladies 3500 metres. 1 Una Mullen 17.51. Masters men 6000 metres. 1 Catch Grennan 21.17; 2 John Harkin 21.26; 3 John Donegan 21.53; 4 Johnny Feery 22.12; 5 Anthony Rickard 22.18; 6 Liam Dunne 23.50; 7 Pat Conlon 24.07; 8 John O'Connell 25.16; 9 Jim Dolan 34.31. Masters Ladies. 1 Liz Cuskelly 13.50; 2 Martina Conlon 17.15; 3 Mary Walsh 19.08. Business Houses John Todd competed in the BHAA Teachers 4 mile Cross Country race in Castleknock College last Saturday. John has been hampered by injury recently and, despite not being at his best, won the over 55 category in a time of 25.35. Fixtures October 18th: Gerry Farnan cross country and Masters trials in Phoenix Park, Dublin at 1pm. October 25th: Leinster Novice and Masters Cross Country. Adamstown, Wexford. October 26th: Dublin City Marathon. November 1st: Offaly Senior and Intermediate Cross Country.Charleville, Tullamore. November 8th: Leinster Intermediate and Juvenile Cross Country. Tullamore. November 15th: International Masters Cross Country, Birmingham. November 22nd: National Inter Counties Cross Country in Kilbeggan, Westmeath. November 26th: Winter League round 1. 3k track and tarmac.7pm November 29th: Winter League round 2. Cross Country in Charleville. December 6th : National Novice Cross Country. December 10th: Winter League round 3. 3k Tarmac. 7pm. December 13th: European Cross Country Championships, Santry, Dublin. Training Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am except on a race day. Runners also meet for a run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm on. New members always welcome. With the dark evenings now here, it is important to be seen on the roads so reflective gear must be worn while training on the roads.