Lupton and O'Connor win senior titles as Harriers claim team trophies

On the last day of November, a bitterly cold but bright Sunday morning, the Offaly Senior Championship races marked the final round of a very successful 2025 cross country season. Hosted by Tullamore Harriers AC in the excellent grounds of the Faithful Fields, Kilcormac, each day drew a strong turnout of adult and juvenile athletes from clubs across the county.

Sincere thanks to all involved in organising and running the championships; to Christy Todd for his help and support in Kilcormac; to Offaly Civil Defence and Order of Malta for ensuring athletes were in safe hands; to the supporting clubs; and to the many supporters who came out over the four days.

The final day had a relatively shorter programme, with only the senior athletes competing - the juvenile events having been completed over the previous three days.

Twenty-eight women lined out, representing Ballyskenach, Birr, Ferbane, Edenderry, Kinnitty, Naomh Mhuire, Kilcormac/Killoughey, and Tullamore Harriers. Tullamore Harriers chairman Adrian Curley welcomed the ladies and gave final instructions before sending them off on their 6000m race: four laps of a 1500m meandering circuit offering full visibility for spectators.

From the outset, Aisling O’Connor of Edenderry AC and Brid Ryan of Ballyskenach AC surged to the front. The pair maintained their positions throughout, both running a steady pace over the laps. In the final 1000m, Aisling pulled away slightly, but Brid worked hard and surrendered very little ground. Aisling claimed the win, with Brid finishing just 10 seconds behind in a superb second place.

Behind them, a tight pack of five athletes worked their way through the course, with the lead within this group changing three times. Maire Tríona O’Connor and Charlotte Abbott looked particularly strong, holding a slight edge over Nita McLoughlin, Cara Moran and Niamh McEnhill. Heading into lap three, Charlotte appeared the likely bronze medallist as she began to pull away.

However, by the final lap positions had shifted again. It was now Naomh Mhuire’s Ciara Moran and Tullamore Harriers’ Nita McLoughlin who were battling for third. In a thrilling sprint finish, Ciara edged ahead to secure the bronze medal, just two seconds clear of Nita. A fantastic race by all involved.

The trophy for team event, the Martina Conlon Perpetual Trophy, was presented by the lady herself, Martina Conlon, following her own inspirational run - an incredible 42 years after winning her Offaly senior cross country title. Martina lined out with her Tullamore Harriers teammates and proudly presented the trophy to the same club once again.

Second-place team medals went to Naomh Mhuire AC, while the third-place medals were claimed by Ferbane AC narrowly ahead of Kinnitty AC. This marked the first time Kinnitty AC’s ladies fielded a team in the Offaly Cross Country Championships. Huge congratulations to Kinnitty AC on this milestone.

Ladies’ results: Aisling O'Connor (Edenderry AC) 25.21; Brid Ryan (Ballyskenach AC) 25.31; Ciara Moran (Naomh Mhuire AC) 26.02; Nita McLoughlin (Tullamore Harriers AC) 26.04; Charlotte Abbott (Tullamore Harriers) 26.12; Maire Triona O'Connor (Tullamore Harriers) 26.27; Niamh McEnhill (Tullamore Harriers) 26.4; Ciara Lee Whittle (Naomh Mhuire AC) 26.56; Michelle Mullaney (Tullamore Harriers) 27.44; Lisa Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 28.01; Ailbhe McDonnell (Ferbane AC) 29.18; Mairead Scally (Naomh Mhuire AC) 28.21; Edel Hayes (Naomh Mhuire AC) 28.39; Emma Hart (Naomh Mhuire AC) 28.56; Aideen O'Brien (Birr AC) 29.03; Hilary Duncan (Tullamore Harriers) 29.36; Mary Blake (Ferbane AC) 29.47; Catriona Guinan (Ferbane AC) 29.56; Roisin Coughlan (Kinnitty AC) 30.29; Carmel Moran (Birr AC) 31.09; Mary Galvin (Tullamore Harriers) 31.22; Claire Slevin (Kilcormac Killoughey AC) 32.46; Ruth Sheils (Ballyskenach AC) 33.01; Michelle Rochford (Kinnitty AC) 34.56; Antionette Corbett (Kinnitty AC) 35.16; Martina Conlon (Tullamore Harriers) 35.45; Annemaria Egan (Ferbane AC) 36.25; Aisling Farrell (Naomh Mhuire AC) 36.38.

Men’s race

The senior men lined out immediately after the ladies’ race, and once again spectators were treated to a thrilling competition. There was excellent representation from across Offaly, with athletes from Birr, Ballyskenach, Ferbane, Kinnitty, Rhode, Naomh Mhuire, and Tullamore Harriers - 45 men in total - taking to the line.

The men faced six laps of the 1500m circuit, making up a demanding 9000m course. From a very early stage, perhaps within the first 300m, the lead pack had formed, consisting of two Ballyskenach athletes and two from Tullamore Harriers.

Leading into lap two, this group split into two pairs: Harry Lupton of Ballyskenach AC and Jack Donegan of Tullamore Harriers ran in perfect unison at the front, closely followed by Tullamore’s Kevin Minnock and Ballyskenach’s Peter Somba.

The chasing pack featured another mix of talent, with Mick Fogarty, Paul Mitchell, Barry Minnock, Jonathon Dunne, William Delahunt, and Barry Mooney all battling hard. The support from teammates around the course added to the excitement and made for great viewing as team positions shifted throughout.

Entering the final of the six laps, Harry and Jack had pulled around 200m clear of the field, yet remained side by side until the finishing straight. In a dramatic final surge, Harry kicked ahead to claim the victory - a historic moment as Ballyskenach AC secured its first ever senior title. Jack delivered a superb performance to finish second and take the senior silver medal.

The fight for third place also came down to a sprint finish, with Kevin Minnock edging out Ballyskenach’s Peter Somba to secure the bronze.

Tullamore Harriers retained the Offaly Senior Cross Country Trophy, with Ballyskenach placing second and Ferbane AC taking third. A superb morning of cross country racing from start to finish.

Men’s results: Harry Lupton (Ballyskenach AC) 30.33; Jack Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) 30.41; Kevin Minnock (Tullamore Harriers) 31.11; Peter Somba (Ballyskenach AC) 31.16; Mick Fogarty (Ferbane AC) 31.23; Paul Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers) 31.24; Barry Minnock (Tullamore Harriers) 32.05; Barry Mooney (Tullamore Harriers) 32.31; Jonathan Dunne (Tullamore Harriers) 33.01; William Delahunt (Ballyskenach AC) 33.04; Tom Lupton (Ballyskenach AC) 34.11; Donough McBrearty (Ferbane AC) 34.46; Niall Kelly (Ferbane AC) 35.02; Diarmuid Egan (Ballyskenach AC) 36.01; Kevin Looby (Naomh Mhuire AC) 36.18; Declan Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 36.25; Martin Bannon (Kinnitty AC) 36.51; Nigel Cunningham (Tullamore Harriers) 37.21; Ger Cleary (Naomh Mhuire AC) 37.33; Ronan Hoare (Birr AC) 37.51; Cian Keogh (Tullamore Harriers) 37.57; Liam Byrne (Tullamore Harriers) 37.58; David Hollywood (Tullamore Harriers) 39.11; Darren Butler (Tullamore Harriers) 39.41; Niall Flynn (Kinnitty AC) 39.45; Joe Carroll (Ferbane AC) 39.54; Kevin Brazil (Ferbane AC) 40.04; Jason McDermott (Tullamore Harriers) 40.22; David King (Birr AC) 40.58; Darren Bermingham (Naomh Mhuire AC) 41.33; John Kirwan (Naomh Mhuire AC) 41.42; Jonathan Geraghty (Rhode AC) 41.45; Mark Delaney (Kinnitty AC) 41.56; Eamonn Laramie (Rhode AC) 41.57; Adrian Delaney (Naomh Mhuire AC) 42.21; Rob O'Donnell (Kinnitty AC) 42.25; Killian Kealey (Birr AC) 42.48; Gerard Minnock (Naomh Mhuire AC) 44.23; Donal Mannion (Birr AC) 44.33; Dermot Egan (Ferbane AC) 44.54; Gordan Kerrigan (Rhode AC) 45.05; Mattie Flanagan (Naomh Mhuire AC) 45.17; Michael O'Shea (Kinnitty AC) 45.39; Garreth Garry (Naomh Mhuire AC) 45.41; Evan Lynam (Naomh Mhuire AC) 45.53.