Tullamore athletes perform very well in Leinster cross country championships

The Leinster Novice and Master cross country championships took place in Belvedere Estate, last Sunday. A squad of 24 senior athletes wore the blue and white and earned medals for both club and county. Held on a hilly course, the glorious sunshine ensured good running conditions. First race was the Ladies Novice, with three of the team competing in their first cross country race for the club. Michelle Mullaney had a great race and was first Tullamore Harriers lady, followed my Mary Daly, Rita Daly, Marlena Sniczer, Georgina Tuohy and Martina Conlon. The ladies earned a 5th club placing and bronze county medal. The Men’s Novice team pushed hard from the start and featured well up in the field. This race was 6000m. Declan Fahey led the team, followed closely by Catch Grennan. Mick Murphy and Richie Galvin finished strong to earn the club silver medals. Mark Service, Ger Lynam, and Ray Martin raced strong and hard, bringing home bronze county medals for the team. Next up was the Masters Men race run over 6000m also. The Harriers had two teams representing the club, 040 and 050 and a very exciting race was run. Cormac Troy had a super race from the onset and finished in a fantastic second place overall. He and John Harkin led the field for the first 3k with John Donegan chasing strongly from further back the field. Declan Madden ran a steady race and the team won the silver medals. Brendan Abbot, Dave Gorry, Chris Donegan and Liam Byrne all dug deep and performed really well to finish with bronze county medals. In the 050 team, here too the Harriers had success. Martin Carroll led the team of Pat Conlon and Brendan Kennedy to finish off a great day with both club and county silver titles. Results: Novice Ladies, Michelle Mullaney 11.57 (24th), Mary Daly 12.03 (29th), Rita Daly 12.15 (38th), Marlena Sniczer 12.20 (40th), Georgina Tuohy, Martina Conlon. 5th club, 3rd county. Novice Men, Declan Fahey 20.20 (8th), Catch Grennan 20.28 (12th), Mick Murphy 21.15 26th), Richie Galvin 21.27 (31st), Mark Service 21.33 (33rd), Ger Lynam 23.24 (58th), Ray Martin 24.59 (79th). 2nd club, 3rd county. Masters Men O-40; Cormac Troy 20.04 (2nd), John Harkin 20.43 (7th), John Donegan 21.16 (17th), Declan Madden 21.41 (21st), Brendan Abbott 22.57 (38th) Dave Gorry 23.14 (41st), Chris Donegan 25.00 (61st) Liam Byrne 25.19 (65th) 2nd club, 3rd county Masters Men O-50 ; Martin Carroll 22.08, Pat Conlon 23.45 Brendan Kennedy 25.51. 2nd club, 2nd county. DUBLIN CITY MARATHON Well done to all the Tullamore Harriers athletes who took part in the 31st Adidas Dublin City Marathon which incorporated the National Marathon championships. Conditions were near perfect for marathon running, a factor which surely contributed to new course records in both women’s and men’s races. Pauline Curley was second Irish lady home in an excellent time of 2.43.57, beaten by Barbara Sanchez from Raheny. Cappincur man Barry Minnock, racing with Rathfarnham Club, stormed home in 16th place overall in a fantastic time of 2.22. Next Tullamore Harriers athlete was Eddie Garry in a time of 2.48.14. George Webb finished in 3.14 followed by Glen Finlay running his first marathon in a time of 3.25.09. New members of the club, Elma Ravenhill, Fiona Claffey and Ann-marie McNamara finished in 3.50.42, 3.58.56 and 4.06.09 respectively. Ivan Cuddihy finished in 3.58.45. It is a credit to all the hours and miles of training everyone put in over the past few months. MARATHON MAN LARRY Congratulations to Larry Rigney on his fantastic achievement on finishing his 100th marathon on Monday in Dublin City Marathon. This is an incredible achievement and for Larry, crossing the line after 3hrs, 57mins will be a memorable moment. He competed in his first marathon in 1985 and this too was in Dublin City. Over the next few years Larry clocked up the miles and ran 74 Irish marathons, 24 USA marathons, and 2 Australian marathons! And he is not hanging up the running shoes yet ... his next marathon is in two weeks’ time in Sixmilebridge! Well done Larry, from all in Tullamore Harriers. FIXTURES October 31st: Offaly Senior and Intermediate cross country championships, Charleville Estate, at 10am sharp. November 7th: Leinster Intermediate cross country championships, Adamstown, Co. Wexford. November 14th: Masters Home Countries International cross country, Santry. November 18th: Winter League Round 1 at 7pm. November 21st: Winter League Round 2, Charleville at 10am. November 27th: Fit2RUN4LIFE Half Marathon, Kinnitty. November 2nd: Winter League Round 3 at 7pm. December 14th: Christmas Grand National, at 7pm. December 19th: National Novice cross county championships, Charleville Estate, Tullamore. TRAINING Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm. Sunday morning at 8.30am, except on race day. New members always welcome. With the dark evenings now approaching, it is important to be seen on the roads so reflective gear must be worn while training on the roads. Membership is now due. Forms available in clubhouse.