The Irish Schools cross-country championships were held in Loughrea, Co. Galway on Saturday 8th March in the most appalling weather conditions and on a rain soaked course that was a virtual mud bath, in fact the worst underfoot conditions the athletes have ever had to contend with. However, that did not stop the Mullingar athletes from producing some of their best ever performances. At the end of the day, the Club has three new International athletes, who will gain their Irish vests at forthcoming Schools internationals.

In the junior girls race, Elizabeth Carr (competing for St. Finian’s College, Mullingar), although the youngest competitor in the race (she is under-age for the next two years), had a brilliant run when finishing in fourth place, coming through the field like a train in the last 300m and will now go to Scotland on the Irish team. In the same race, Arlene Coughlan ran a solid race but found the going tough. The intermediate boys race saw Jake Byrne (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge) give a wonderful exhibition of cross-country running at its very best when winning a thrilling race and becoming St. Joseph’s first ever International athlete. Here surely is one of the most talented young athletes to come out of our Club and it looks as if he could have a long international career ahead of him. Spare a thought for Shane Boggs, one of the favourites for the title, who on the last lap and going really well, took ill and had to drop out when lying in third place and almost certain to get a medal and a place on the Irish team. We know he will be back better than ever again shortly.

In the intermediate girls race, Amie Giles (St. Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge) had a fine run and must have been more than satisfied with her run, being under-age again next year. In the last race, the senior boy’s event, Lee Stenson (Mullingar Community College) had an excellent run in what was a very competitive race with the course very badly cut up at this stage. Lee’ s high finishing position was enough to earn him selection on the Irish team for an international fixture in Dublin at the end of the month and no one deserves an international vest more than Lee. Congratulations to all who took part and on their superb performances. It shows the healthy state the Club is in at the moment with such talent in our ranks.