Harriers crew among the medals in Leinster championships

All roads led to Fenagh, Co. Carlow on Sunday last for the Leinster Juvenile Relay, Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships. While Tullamore Harriers did not have any juvenile athletes competing on the day, the club was well represented in the senior races, with athletes proudly wearing the blue and white.

The championships were hosted at the Carlow GAA training grounds, with courses mapped around the perimeter and through the training fields, using 1500m and 1000m circuits. One might expect a flat course given the football pitch setting, but it proved to be a deceptively challenging course, featuring testing climbs along with plenty of twists and turns. While it lacked the traditional long cross-country hills and drags, it more than made up for it in difficulty and provided a true test for athletes across all distances.

First up were the Masters Ladies, with 75 athletes competing in the combined O35 and O50 and O65 men’s 4000m race. Tullamore Harriers had a strong showing, fielding six athletes - six O35 and four O50.

From the gun, Sarah Flanagan led the charge for the club. Sarah ran a superb race and was involved in a great battle with Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry AC) throughout. Finishing 7th overall, Sarah claimed silver in the O45 individual category and also helped secure bronze club medals alongside teammates Nita McLoughlin (14th) and Niamh McEnhill (19th).

Strong support came from Charlotte Abbott (25th), Evelyn Herlihy (26th) and Maeve Larkin (45th).

In the O50 team event, Tullamore Harriers was represented by Rita Daly Ravenhill, Hilary Duncan, Mary Galvin and Mary Daly finishing 6th place in the club team standing. Combining with the excellent run from Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry AC), Rita Daly Ravenhill and Hilary Duncan earned Leinster bronze medals in the county team competition.

Next up was the Masters Men’s race, which as always featured a very large and high-quality field of over 100 athletes. Alexander Wallace St Cocas AC dominated the full 7000m to take the win. Sean Hehir (Croghan AC) finished strongly in second, with Kevin Moore (Mullingar Harriers AC) claiming third.

Kevin Minnock once again delivered a brilliant performance. Running consistently in the top four throughout, Kevin moved into second and then third place on the final lap, only to be passed in the closing straight, finishing a very close and exciting fourth overall.

Clubmate Paul Mitchell also produced an excellent, controlled race, holding fifth place lap after lap. Kevin and Paul were joined by Padraig Berry, Garry Whittle, Alan Mitchell and Liam Byrne to secure sixth place in the club team competition.

In the county team results, Mick Fogarty (Ferbane AC) finished 8th, with Gerard Hanlon (Edenderry AC) in 22nd. Along with Kevin Minnock and Paul Mitchell, they combined to win silver county medals for Offaly.

Individually, in the O35 category, Kevin Minnock claimed silver, while Paul Mitchell took the bronze, rounding off their impressive medal haul.

In the final race of the day, the Intermediate Men’s 8000m, Darren Butler and David Hollywood put in strong efforts on a course that had become even muckier and more demanding by this stage of the afternoon. Well done to everyone who lined out for the club, and sincere thanks to all our supporters who made the trip to Carlow. Results as follows below.

Masters Ladies - Sarah Flanagan 16:46; Nita McLoughlin 17:41; Niamh McEnhill 18:12; Charlotte Abbott 18:33; Evelyn Herlihy 18:34; Maeve Larkin 19:33; Rita Daly Ravenhill 20:06; Hilary Duncan 20:26; Mary Galvin 21:45; Mary Daly 22:11.

Masters Men - Kevin Minnock 25:04; Paul Mitchell 25:19; Padraig Berry 29:11; Garry Whittle 29:13; Liam Byrne 30:42; Alan Mitchell 32:06.

Intermediate Men - Darren Butler 35:52; David Hollywood 37:45.