The change of venue for the Irish Universities and Schools All-Ireland Cross Country Finals from ALSAA to the National Sports Campus at Abbottstown on Saturday 12th March proved a winner with athletes and spectators. Though the course was relatively flat, underfoot conditions were perfect for running and the course layout made it very easy for spectators to follow the action. The venue certainly seemed to bring out the best in the Mullingar athletes competing for their Schools and Colleges as each turned in great performances.

An added incentive to turning in a good performance in the Junior and Intermediate races was possible selection on the Ireland teams to compete in the Schools International Cross Country in Antrim on 26th March. By day’s end we knew that three of the Club’s finest young athletes would be competing in Antrim, Linda Conroy in the Intermediate girls, Shane Fitzsimons in the Intermediate boys and Jack Reid in the Junior boys. Shane and Linda have been on Ireland teams several times before, but for Jack it will be a day to remember as he will be making his International debut and getting to wear an Ireland vest for the first time.

This year for the first time there were races for Minor girls and boys and in the Minor girls race Aisling Moody (competing for St. Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge) gave an excellent account of herself and after a conservative pace in the early part of the race she finished very strongly over the final 400m and was very pleased with her 19th place finish among the cream of cross country talent in Ireland. In the Minor boys race, Glen Gaffney (Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar) was very unlucky to fall at the start and had to work hard to get back into the race but his class showed through as he finished 13th and with terrific support from Oisin Quinn (18th), Adam Kelly (21st), Dylan Ledwith, Senan Lynam, Luke Lenehen and Gareth Carr all giving 100% effort, he led Colaiste Mhuire to team gold. It was good to see Jack O’Leary also competing and running extremely well in the colours of Clongowes Wood College.

Edel Glennon (St. Finian’s, Mullingar) competed in the Junior girls event where she ran with confidence and finished strongly in 22nd place and though admitting afterwards it was tough, expressed satisfaction with her performance. In the same race, Annie Tynan-Daly (Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone) ran a superb race to finish 9th and must wait to see if she makes the Ireland team. No such uncertainty for Jack Reid (St. Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge) in the Junior boys race where he ran a very clever race and paced his efforts perfectly to finish well in 8th and secure an automatic place on the Ireland team, the latest International athlete in a long line from the Club. Jack has shown great promise over the last two years and his dedication to training paid off last Saturday. This is a wonderful honour for Jack and his parents and School and of course our Club.

From the start of the Intermediate girls race it was clear that Linda Conroy (Mercy, Kilbeggan) hadn’t read the pre-race commentary that tipped Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner from Dublin to win the race with ease. Ignoring the script, Linda gave chase and pressured Siofra for the entire race, which brought out the very best in these two very talented girls, and though Linda had to settle for silver at the finish the winning margin was smaller than Siofra was used to and she admitted to Linda after the race that she knew she had been in a tough race. Linda’s performance of course secured her place on the Ireland team. Also running was Lorraine Daly (Mercy, Kilbeggan) but the combination of a head cold and a painful stitch in mid-race robbed her of her best.

Mullingar had quite a number of athletes in the Intermediate boys, where the best was Shane Fitzsimons (St. Joseph’s) finishing strongly in 7th place to secure a place on the Ireland team. Going in to the final lap, Thomas Lynn (St. Finian’s) looked strong and hopes were high that he could gain a few extra places and make the Ireland team but despite a strong finish he couldn’t gain enough extra ground and finished out of the automatic qualification places. Padraig Moran was first finisher for Colaiste Mhuire, followed by Patrick Fagan, Ryan Blundell, Eoin Lynam, Jonathan Daly, Gavin Hanevy and Jack Galvin who gave maximum effort but finished out of the team medal places.

The final Schools race of the day, the Senior boys, saw Jake Byrne (St. Joseph’s) run his best race of the year. Jake looked completely at home and at ease among the top quality field as he ran confidently, covering all the breaks and competing every step of the way, to finish very strongly in 5th place and round off his cross country season in great style. This performance will give him tremendous confidence for the track season ahead. Gavin Doran (St. Mary’s) and Thomas Fagan (Moate Community College) also ran well and can be very satisfied with their performances.

The final race of the day with a Mullingar interest was the Universities men race where Vinny Connolly competed for Athlone IT and turned in his customary fine performance to round off his cross country season. Well done to all the Club athletes on their performances, in particular the boys from Colaiste Mhuire who ran so well thanks to teacher Damien Lawlor who put a lot of effort and time into preparing the teams.