Harriers athletes shine in Gowran, Belfast and Limerick

Ten athletes from Tullamore Harriers made the trip to Gowran, Co. Kilkenny for the Leinster Novice & Masters Road Race Championships last Saturday, and they returned with an impressive haul of medals.

The day began with the Masters women’s 3000m race, where seven club athletes lined out - Karen Nolan, Rita Daly, Una Mullen, Hilary Duncan, Sharon Daly, Olive Mannion and Sandra Busteed. The course consisted of two laps of a 1500m loop, featuring a fast downhill start followed by a steady uphill climb through the village of Gowran.

Individual medals were clinched by Rita Daly, who claimed gold, and Olive Mannion, who secured silver in their respective age categories. Rita, along with Karen Nolan and Una Mullen, also earned medals in the club and county team competitions, taking gold in the O50 club category and bronze in the O50 county team event.

In the Masters men’s 6000m race, which featured a field of 82 athletes, Barry Minnock led the Tullamore Harriers squad with a superb run. Recently entering a new age category, Barry finished 14th overall and took the individual gold in the O50 category. He was joined by Dave Dunican and Brendan Abbott, and together the trio captured silver in the O50 club team competition.

Well done to all athletes who competed and represented the club with pride. Tullamore Harriers results as follows. Ladies 3000m: Karen Nolan 12.25; Rita Daly 13.00; Una Mullen 13.57; Hilary Duncan 15.01; Sharon Daly 15.47; Olive Mannion 16.32; Sandra Busteed 16.55. Men 6000m: Barry Minnock 20.46; Dave Dunican 25.09; Brendan Abbott 27.23.

Belfast Marathon

Well done to Jason McDermott who posted a PB at the Belfast Marathon last Sunday with a super time of 3.35.56. Anthony Hughes, competing in his debut marathon, ran an impressive time of 3.55.10.

Great Limerick Run

The club had some superb performances at the Great Limerick Run also on Sunday last. Jamie Malone delivered a phenomenal run, shaving a very impressive 30 minutes off his previous marathon time to finish in 2:47:03! A brilliant result that earned him 7th place in the Senior Men's category.

Michael Brennan also had a strong race, crossing the line in a fantastic 2:55:55, while Forest McCormack proudly represented the blue and white with a 4:10:10 finish. In the half marathon, Gary Dwyer and Naomi Galvin joined over 5000 participants with Gary clocking 1.53.36 and Naomi 1.55.19.

Silver for Fayth

Fayth Byrne participated in the St. Abban’s Open Sports at Crettyard on Monday, where she was first finisher in her semi-final and then took the silver medal in the U16 100m final. Congratulations to Fayth, who continues to demonstrate consistent improvement and growing confidence.

Irish Milers Meet

The 2025 Irish Milers Club season opened at TUS Clonmel last Saturday. In the women’s 3000m, Danielle Donegan, recently back from altitude training in Font Romeu in the Pyrenees, ran a personal best of 9:29.08, placing 3rd. She followed Eimear Maher of DSD AC (1st in 9:22.33), and Ide Nic Dhomhnaill of West Limerick AC, (2nd in 9:25.05).

In the men’s 1500m C race, Cian Law was 3rd placed with a time of 4:03.76, showing strong early-season form. First was Sean Nolan Moy Valley AC (3.58.42) and 2nd was Adam Kelly also of Moy Valley AC (4.01.06)

In the men’s 1500m A race, Michael Murphy finished 12th in 3:56.61, just outside his personal best.

Anglo Celtic Plate

Stephen Murphy lined up on Saturday last at Mallory Park, Leicester as part of a ten-strong team selected by Athletics Ireland for the Anglo Celtic Plate 100K. The event, run on a 4.782 km motor racing circuit, featured teams from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Ireland, and also served as the Athletics Ireland 100K National Championships.

This marked Stephen’s first time wearing the Irish vest which he was very proud of. While race day didn’t go as planned, Stephen showed immense courage. Battling a foot injury, he was forced to withdraw at the 44K mark, but remained on course to cheer his teammates as Ireland secured a bronze medal in the team competition.

Congratulations Stephen, on your international debut. Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to your next chapter on the roads.

South Leinster Schools Track & Field

A big squad of Tullamore Harriers athletes travelled to SETU, Carlow on May 1st to compete in Day 1 of the South Leinster Schools Track and Field Championships. With the sun shining there were some great performances, and many athletes were delighted with their results. Well done to all and congratulations to the medal winners.

From the middle-distance group, the following are the medal winners. Junior - 1st: Adelyn Walsh, 1500m. Intermediate - 1st: Rachel Keaney, 1500m Steeplechase; 3rd: Mia Gallagher; 1500m Steeplechase; 1st: Ronan Keaney, 1500m Steeplechase. Senior - 1st: Polly Duffy, 1500m Steeplechase.

From the sprint group, the following were involved. Minor Girls - Maddie Deverell -1st in 100m heat, 6th in 100m final, 7th in Long Jump – 4.27m; Ellie Finlay 3rd in 100m heat.

Junior Girls - Samia Akbar - 2nd in 100m heat, 3rd in 200m heat; Chloe McGowan -2nd in 100m heat; Fayth Byrne - 2nd in 100m & 200m heats.

Roisín Cotter - 1st in 100m heat, 5th in 100m final, 3rd in Long Jump with a personal best of 4.54m.

A big thank you to the teachers in the following schools for all their great work - Coláiste Choilm, Sacred Heart School, St Brendan’s CS Birr, Tullamore College, Killina Presentation SS, Newbridge College and Patrician College.

Fixtures

Sunday, 11th May – Ashling Murphy 4 Mile.

Sunday, 18th May – Ferbane 5k.

Thursday, 22nd May – Offaly Senior and Masters Track & Field Championships.

Friday, 30th May – Ballyskenach 5K.