Peak performance by Tullamore Harriers athlete in Wales

Mia Gallagher at the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships.

placeholder image — Mia Gallagher at the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships.

Win and podium place at races for Harriers athletes

Mia Gallagher headed for Wales to compete in the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships on Saturday 13th September.

Mia faced windy conditions as she negotiated the hills behind Canolfan y Fron, in the U17 race where she covered 6.23km with 257m ascent/descent. The terrain was good, with athletes climbing through a slate quarry and descending on some very fast tracks. This was the first time Mia represented Ireland. She produced an excellent performance, finishing as the third scorer on an Irish team that narrowly missed out on medals.

Rhode AC Marathon & 10K

Stephen Murphy produced a superb run on Saturday September 13th, in the inaugural Rhode AC Marathon, taking 2nd place. Stephen ran strongly from the start and held his position all the way, clocking an impressive 2:43:37. Dermot Gorman of Carrick-on-Suir AC, won in 2:38:30

Stephen Murphy 2nd in the Rhode Marathon.

Also in Rhode, Hilary Duncan made a welcome return to home soil for the marathon. True to form, Hilary delivered a steady and composed performance, finishing in 4:32:13.

Hilary Duncan at the Rhode AC Marathon.

There was more success for Tullamore Harriers in Rhode, as Luke Mahon won the 10K race, crossing the line first in a fine time of 36:20.

Michael Murphy wins in Donegal.

Michael Murphy produced a superb performance to win the Donegal Town Eamon Harvey 10k on Sunday 15th of September, in a fine time of 31:09. Hosted by Tirchonaill Athletic Club, this event recognises Eamon Harvey’s outstanding contributions to athletics and this year marks the inaugural presentation of the Eamon Harvey Perpetual Trophy to the winner.

Eamon Harvey presenting the winning trophy to Michael Murphy at Donegal Town Eamon Harvey 10k.

Michael crossed the line almost a minute and a half clear of Raheny Shamrock’s Kieran Kelly, who finished runner-up in 32:38. In the women’s race, Evelyn Coughlan impressed with a strong run, clocking 36:43 to claim third place overall.

Clew Bay Half Marathon

Darren Ghee continued his regular longer-distance adventures on Saturday September 13th, lining out for the ever-popular Clew Bay Half Marathon in Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. Darren put in a great performance, finishing in 1:54:52.

Darren Ghee at the Clew Bay Half Marathon.

Portumna 10K

Melissa Hogan competed in the Portumna 10K on Sunday the 14th of September, clocking 1.38.17. Well done Melissa.

Offaly Endurance Series

Tullamore Harriers was proudly represented in the overall placings of the Offaly Endurance Series 2025, which concluded with the BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon.

The Series began in May with the Ashling Murphy 4 Mile in Tullamore and culminated in August with the Half Marathon, offering the perfect test of progression, across four superb races hosted by clubs around the county:

Race 1. Ashling Murphy 4 Mile hosted by Offaly Athletics

Race 2. Jack Cox 10K hosted by Kilcormac Killoughey AC

Race 3. Frank Kilrane 10 Mile hosted by Edenderry AC

Race 4. BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon hosted by Tullamore Harriers AC.

Congratulations to Kevin Minnock who was the overall male winner, with his brother Barry taking 2nd place. (Gerard Hanlon Edenderry AC was 3rd.) Our ladies too, took top places – (Lisa Murphy Naomh Mhuire AC was overall winner), with 2nd place claimed by Niamh McEnill and 3rd Charlotte Abbott.

Fixtures

Sunday 5th October – Offaly Novice and Juvenile Relays Cross Country @ The Faithful Fields, Kilcormac.

Sunday 12th October – Offaly Masters and Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country @ The Faithful Fields, Kilcormac.

Sunday 19th October - Autumn Open & National Juvenile Club Relays @Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin

Saturday 25th October – Leinster Novice, U20 & Juvenile Even Ages @Gowran, Co Kilkenny

SEE NEXT: Knockout draws made on messy, unsatisfactory weekend for Offaly football

Senior Training

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

For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita

0868386687