Offaly athletes perform well in European Cross Country Championships

Irish athletics brought a record medal-winning 2025 season to a memorable close at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa on Sunday, 14 December. This 31st edition of the Championships certainly captured the attention of the Irish audience at home, as well as the many supporters who travelled to Portugal to cheer on the Irish squad, with a very large percentage from Tullamore Harriers!

A total of 644 athletes from 36 countries were in contention over the various championship races. It was the fourth time that Portugal hosted the championships - Oeiras in 1997, Albufeira in 2010 and Lisbon in 2019.

And what a day it proved to be for Ireland, highlighted by a superb victory for Nick Griggs and team gold in the men’s U23 race, an outstanding team silver in the senior men’s event to secure a first medal at that level in 25 years, and a brilliant bronze medal for Emma Hickey in the women’s U20 race.

Tullamore Harriers was proudly represented by two athletes, Danielle Donegan and Ava O’Connor. Danielle has competed at every European Cross Country Championships since 2019, representing Ireland in the U20 race in 2019 and at U23 races in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This marked her second appearance in the senior race, having earned selection with a third-place finish at the recent 123.ie National Cross Country Championships. US-based Ava lined out with the U23 team for the second consecutive year.

The Lagoa course was a far cry from what Irish athletes are typically accustomed to, with a notable lack of heavy mud and sticky and sloppy underfoot conditions. Instead, it offered a classic European cross-country test, set in the Algarve parkland and featured compact dirt and natural grass. The looped course incorporated gentle undulating hills, along with numerous twists and turns.

In the U23 race, Ava lined out for the 5,960m race. Ava ran a controlled and composed race. She maintained a strong, consistent pace throughout and finished in 25th position having battled for a top 10 position in the first half of the run. Ava helped the Irish team secure an impressive seventh-place finish overall.

Irish placings in the U23 race were as follows:

11th Kirsty Maher (Moy Valley AC), 20th Amy Greene (Finn Valley AC), 25th Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers), 26th Anika Thompson (Leevale AC) and 34th Roise Roberts (Candour Track Club).

Danielle lined out in the senior women’s race, covering the longer 7,470m distance. Drawing on her experience, she settled comfortably into the race alongside her teammates and looked comfortable throughout, building her way from 56th position on her first lap to a very commendable 36th place. Fiona Everard was the leading Irish finisher in the senior women’s race, placing an excellent tenth overall.

Niamh Allen was next home for Ireland in 23rd place, with Danielle next. Emily Haggard-Kearney (44th) and Mary Mulhare (50th) completed the Irish team, which finished eighth overall.

Congratulations to everyone who wore the Irish vest, and especially to Ava and Danielle. It was a proud day for Irish athletics and Tullamore Harriers.

Tullamore Harriers Hospice Mile

Christmas Day just wouldn’t be the same without the annual lap (or two!) of the Tullamore Harriers track

You are all warmly invited to the annual Tullamore Harriers Hospice Mile -the perfect way to start your Christmas morning. Drop in anytime between 10am and 12 noon to walk or run a few laps at your own pace. The competitive mile race begins at 11am, so why not step up to the start line and earn that guilt-free Christmas dinner!

This event is more than just a fundraiser for the remarkable work of Offaly Hospice -it’s a cherished Christmas tradition. Friends reconnect, share stories from the past year, children test out their new bikes, and even the doggies (on leads!) enjoy a festive spin on the tartan track.

So spread the word to friends near and far and let’s make this year’s Hospice Mile another fantastic community gathering.

Collection buckets will be available throughout the stadium for donations to Offaly Hospice, and you can also donate online using the link below.

https://www.idonate.ie/tullamoreharriers

Fixtures

Sunday 21^st December – Christmas Grand National Club race- 9am

Christmas Day – Hospice Mile in the Tullamore Harriers Stadium 10am -12md

Wednesday 31^st December – New Year’s Eve Club race – 12md in Tullamore Harriers.

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Senior Training

Training Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.

For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita

0868386687