Harriers trio shine in US as Farrelly competes in Tailteann Games
Three Tullamore Harriers athletes opened their cross country seasons in the United States last weekend.
Laura Mooney competed at the Friar Invitational at the Mark Coogan Course at Highland Park in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Laura won the women’s race in a time of 17:51.31 and led the Providence women’s team, who scored 18 points, to victory.
In Alamosa, Colorado, perfect weather greeted James Dunne and Ava O’Connor who took to the Cattail Golf Course last Saturday morning as part of the Adams State University squad competing at the annual Joe I. Vigil Invitational Cross Country.
Ava raced well over the 5k distance and her time of 18:39.6 was a great run at 2,300m altitude. She fought all the way to the line and finished fourth.
James was near the front too and finished in third in the men’s race. His time of 25:15.3 for 8,000m is a sign of the great shape he is in this autumn.
Tailteann Games
The Irish Life Health Tailteann Schools Interprovincial Games took place in Morton Stadium, Santry last Saturday. This event – one of the toughest and most prestigious juvenile track and field events of the calendar year - made a welcome return for all the athletes having been cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19.
All athletes were representing their respective schools and provincial teams with valuable points up for grabs in both the provincial team competition and also in the individual standings. This meet is always fiercely contested and this year was no exception, with each athlete fighting for podium spots in order to make the selection on to the Irish Schools team which will battle with the best in England, Scotland and Wales at the SIAB Schools Track and Field International in Derbyshire, England at the end of the month.
Harriers athlete Evan Farrelly, representing Oaklands Community College, Edenderry and also the Leinster team, competed in the Long Jump against the 11 best jumpers from all four provinces with a mix of ages from U17 and U18. Evan, who is on the younger side of the group, came into the competition in good form having just a week prior earned his spot on the Leinster team by taking second place at the Tailteann Games trials.
Hoping to capitalise on his form, Evan opened his competition with a tentative 579cm jump and, like most of the field, he was feeling his way into the competition. On his second jump he progressed to 605cm, just 2cm short of his PB. As the competition progressed the head wind gained some strength making it tougher for the athletes to improve on their jumps and Evan too was unable to better his 605cm jump, leaving him with a solid 5th place finish overall.
Evan’s series of jumps was his best in consistency and technique this season. He was only 12cm away from third place and prestigious selection for his country. All these positives will no doubt benefit Evan in the new season.
The Medic Half Marathon
The ever improving Shane Origan clocked an impressive 1.22.20 at the Medic Half Marathon in Monasterevin on Saturday. Shane, who finished in sixth place, was just over one minute back from winner Fionn Griffin. Glen Finlay finished in eighth place with a great time of 1.23.55. Finnian McDermott made up the trio in the club colours, posting 1.44.03.
Ratoath AC 5k
The Dunican brothers both had great runs at the Ratoath Athletic Club 5k at Fairyhouse last weekend. Dave clocked 19.36 and Gerry 21.20.
Training
Senior training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm, with cross country on Sunday mornings at 8:30am. For any enquiries, contact club captains Sean (085 1742418) or Anna (086 8248928).