Pictured are the Master's Men's Over 35 team who competed at the Leinster Cross Country Championships in Carlow. Left to right, Gerard Hanlon, Paul Mitchell, Mick Fogarty and Kevin Minnock.

Offaly athletes to the fore at Leinster Cross Country Championships

Published: Mon 19 Jan 2026, 4:29 PM

Offaly athletes gave strong performances at the Leinster Masters and Intermediate Cross Country Championships in Carlow on Sunday.

In the Masters Ladies Over 35 event, Offaly finished in fourth place overall, with Sarah Flanagan, Nita McLoughlin and Niamh McEnhill (all Tullamore Harriers AC) forming the scoring team.

They were well supported by Charlotte Abbott (Tullamore Harriers AC), Evelyn Herlihy (Tullamore Harriers AC), Maeve Larkin (Tullamore Harriers AC) and Ciara Lee Whittle (Naomh Mhuire AC Daingean).

In the Over 50 race, Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry AC) led the Offaly team with an excellent eighth-place finish, helping Offaly secure bronze team medals.

She was joined on the team by Rita Daly Ravenhill and Hilary Duncan (both Tullamore Harriers AC). Mary Galvin and Mary Daly (Tullamore Harriers AC) also lined out on the O50 squad.

The men also enjoyed a very successful outing. In the Masters Men’s Over 35 race Offaly had three athletes finish inside the top eight places, Kevin Minnock (Tullamore Harriers AC) placed fourth, Paul Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers AC) finished in fifth position, while Mick Fogarty (Ferbane Athletic Club) completed the race in eighth place.

With the addition of Gerard Hanlon (Edenderry A.C Seniors) in 22nd place, the Offaly team secured excellent silver Leinster medals.

The team was strongly supported by William Delahunty (Ballyskenach Athletic Club ), Pádraig Berry (Tullamore Harriers AC), Garry Whittle (Tullamore Harriers AC), Martin Bannon (Kinnitty AC), Liam Byrne (Tullamore Harriers AC), Howard Hendy (Ballyskenach AC), Alan Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers AC), Rob O’Donnell (Kinnitty AC) and Mark Delaney (Kinnitty AC).

Offaly was also well represented in the Intermediate Men’s race, with Darren Butler and David Hollywood (both Tullamore Harriers AC), along with Mark Abbott, Paul Hanlon and Ryan Lawlor (Edenderry AC) giving strong performances on the day.