National Bronze Cross Country medals for Offaly athletes

Westport, Co. Mayo, was the venue for the final race of the 2024/25 National Cross Country season, where 390 master and intermediate athletes gathered to test themselves against their rivals from other clubs and counties, at the National 123.ie Master and Intermediate Cross Country Championships.

On a cool but dry day—ideal for cross country running—the beautiful surroundings of Westport House provided a superb setting for the races. Due to recent storms, the original course had to be modified to accommodate fallen trees, but Mayo AC should be commended for expertly laying out a well-organised course. The design was particularly spectator-friendly, with meandering loops all contained within a single field.

Underfoot conditions were sticky, adding an extra challenge, but the course remained fair and well-balanced for all competitors.

Tullamore Harriers had representation in three races at the championships. After the long journey to Westport, the master ladies were the first to compete. The O65 men also took part in this 4,000m race, with Jim Langan lining out alongside the Tullamore ladies.

A total of 131 athletes competed across all masters' categories, ranging from ages 35 to 85. The Tullamore squad—Rita Daly Ravenhill, Hilary Duncan, Mary Daly, Hilary Condron, Mary Galvin, and Martina Conlon—performed admirably in a highly competitive field, securing 6th place in the club standings and 7th in the county rankings.

Next up were the master men, competing in a highly competitive field of 160 runners over a 7,000m course. Representing Tullamore Harriers, Liam Byrne, Glen Finlay, and Alan Mitchell all delivered solid performances.

The final race of the day was the thrilling Intermediate Men's 8,000m event. Despite a small but highly competitive field of 42 athletes, the race was exciting from start to finish. From the gun, Abaas Adam Edris of Castlegar AC took the lead and maintained his position throughout.

Tullamore’s Kevin Minnock ran a smart and consistent race, holding a top-10 position for the entire distance. He finished 11th overall—an excellent result to cap off a fantastic cross country season, following his Leinster Intermediate victory just three weeks prior.

Kevin led his teammates—Barry Mooney, Eddie Gary, David Hollywood, and Cian Keogh—to secure National Bronze county medals, bringing a successful day in Westport to a close. Well done to all.

Results:

Master Ladies

Rita Daly Ravenhill 00:18:14

Hilary Duncan 00:19:38

Mary Daly 00:19:57 157

Hilary Condron 00:19:57 163

Mary Galvin 00:20:45 160

Martina Conlon 00:22:29

Master Men

Liam Byrne 00:29:12 356

Glen Finlay 00:29:54

Alan Mitchall 00:30:15

Jim Langan 29.31(4000m)

Intermediate Men

Kevin Minnock 00:28:39 506

Barry Mooney 00:31:02

Eddie Garry 00:32:54

David Hollywood 00:34:10

Gary Dwyer 00:35:59

Gold for Michael!

The Irish University Indoor Track & Field Championships took place in the National Indoor Arena in Abbottstown on Sunday the 9th of February. Michael Murphy (DCU) sat in the pack for the first 2,400m of the 3,000m before unleasing a brilliant burst of speed over the closing 600m, catching his rivals by surprise with this tactic. He covered the last 600m in a super fast 1:28.6 and finished with a big 11 second PB in a time of 8:14.74, ten meters ahead of Mark Hanrahan (UL). Well done Michael.

AAI Indoor League

Six of our female athletes travelled to TUS International Arena in Athlone on Saturday, February 8th to compete in Round 2 of the AAI National Indoor League against a total of 18 teams entered. The team consisted of three junior and three senior athletes, and over the full day of competition, four club records were broken.

First up on the track was Eimear Cotter in the 60m Hurdles, winning her heat in a blistering 9.55 seconds and breaking her own club record of 9.77 seconds, finishing 5th overall. Simultaneously, Halimet Balogun competed in the weight-for-distance throwing event, securing second place with a superb 5.76 meters, surpassing Eimear Cotter’s previous club record of 4.58 meters from 2024.

Polly Duffy faced tough competition in the 800m, finishing in a solid 10th place overall and earning valuable points for the team. Alisha Maher was up next where she competed in the 200m, finishing 3rd overall with a club-record time of 25.38 seconds, surpassing her previous record of 25.59 seconds from 2024.

Shauna Leydon participated in the triple jump competition while her teammate, Sarah Flanagan, raced in the 3000m. Both athletes delivered commendable performances, finishing 9th and 10th, respectively. Unfortunately, due to two athletes being unable to compete, we had to withdraw from the 4x400m relay. After two rounds of competition, the team finished in 8th place overall.

In the afternoon's open guest session, four club athletes competed in the sprinting events. Alisha Maher participated in the 60m Series 1 & 2, winning both heats with impressive times of 7.87 seconds and 7.75 seconds, breaking her own club record of 7.76 seconds set two weeks ago. Eimear Cotter ran in Series 1 of the 60m sprint, achieving a personal best of 8.35 seconds. Emmanuel Ilori also competed in both 60m series, recording times of 7.20 and 7.25 seconds. Finally, Teagan Delaney executed a tactical race in the 200m, finishing strong in third place in her heat.

Well done to all athletes involved.

Offaly Track & Field Championships

At the recent Offaly Indoor Track & Field Championships (February 2nd), the U16 Relay team of Faythe Byrne, Roisin Cotter, Chloe McGowan and Maddie Deverell had a great run to take team gold.

Maddie was also 1st in U15 60m. In the U16 60m Fayth was 1st, Roisin was 2nd and Chloe 3rd. In the U16 Long Jump the girls were successful yet again with Maddie taking silver and Roisin Bronze medals. Well done girls.

John Treacy Dungarvan 10-Mile

The 33rd edition of the renowned John Treacy Dungarvan 10-Mile Road Race took place on Sunday, February 2nd, attracting a massive field of 2,843 runners. Fearghal Curtin of Youghal AC claimed victory with a time of 47:42 on a course that is noted for fast finishing times.

Jonathon Dunne was the sole representative from Tullamore Harriers, finishing in a strong 44th place with a superb time of 56:29. Great running Jonathan

Olive Mannion travelled to Nenagh on Bank Holiday Monday, to compete in the Munster Indoor Track and Field Championships. Olive was a guest at these championships and had competed in the Offaly Indoor championships only 24 hours earlier!!

Well done Olive on a 2nd day of success!. She competed in the 60m, the 200m and in the WFD where she was 1st in her age group in all three events.

60m - 12.14

200m - 42.35

WFD -4.70

Well done Olive.

Well Done to Mary Galvin and Team!

A huge congratulations to Mary Galvin, who, alongside her teammates Imelda and Jimmy Coughlan, completed a 12-hour challenge on Sunday, February 4th. Their incredible effort was dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and most especially, in honor of our wonderful club member, John McGowan, who was sadly diagnosed with MND a few years ago.

Twelve hours of continuous exercise—running and biking—is no small feat, and doing it for such a meaningful cause makes it even more special.

That evening, just before training, the winning team of the Overall Club League made a generous presentation to Mary. In a fantastic show of support, winning captain AnnMarie McNamara and her team donated their prize to the fundraiser.

The late John M Gowan

A dark cloud hangs over the Tullamore Harriers Club, having received the very sad news that one of the club’s favourite sons,

John Mc Gowan,has gone to his eternal reward.

The love affair between John and the Tullamore Harriers Club started in the later 60’s, when a

young, 12 year old boy wandered into the old clubhouse in Offaly Street. Although small in stature John was more than able to compete and often surpassed his peers. Many who knew John during his juvenile career, often remarked on his tremendous energy and determination.

John reconnected with the Club in later years having lived abroad for some years. John quickly immersed himself in the Club as an athlete, volunteer, and a committee member. John was ever willing to help and support the Club’s efforts. When the call went out for help, John was the first to raise his hand, and always with a smile on his face and a glint in his eye.

John was a cherished club mate and friend to all the members of Tullamore Harriers. The bravery and dignity shown by John in the face of his diagnosis with MND ,was nothing short of astonishing. John has now slipped the shackles of this terrible illness and is a free spirit once more. We shall cherish the memories of the time we spent together.

A proud Tullamore man, a Harrier,

a true blue.

On my own behalf, and on behalf of the committee, and members of Tullamore Harriers, I extend our deepest condolences to Johns wife Lynda ,his children Karen, Maureen and Paul and the extended Mc Gowan family.

May John rest in peace.

Adrian Curley

Chairman

Tullamore Harriers AC.

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Tullamore Harriers A.C. will now take place on Monday evening 17th February 2025 at 7.00pm upstairs in the Clubhouse. We encourage all members to consider serving on the Committee. Should you be interested in seeking a position on the Committee it would be preferable if you could hand in or email your nomination signed by both a Nominator and Seconder to either Adrian Curley (Chairperson) – adriancurley@hotmail.com or Sharon Daly (Secretary) - sharondalyth@gmail.com by Sunday 16th February 2025. Nominations also taken on the night. Anyone seeking office, nominating or seconding must be a registered

Club Member for 2025.

Fixtures

Sun 9th Feb National Inter & Masters,

Juvenile B XCWestport

Sat 22nd Feb National Senior Indoor.

ChampionshipsNIA, Dublin

Sun 23rd Feb National Senior Indoor.

ChampionshipsNIA, Dublin

Senior Training

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

For any enquiries contact club captains Glenn 0868275228 or Rita 0868386687