Yes, dreams do come true. When Martin Fagan crossed the finishing line in his debut marathon in a time of 2 hours 14 minutes 6 seconds on Friday morning 18th January in the Dubai marathon, comfortably inside the Olympic “A” qualifying standard of 2:15, he realised a dream he has had since he started running around the grounds of his local athletic club in Grange. He has had many ups and downs throughout his career, but he never despaired and always bounced back. To have achieved the qualifying time for the marathon and book his ticket for Beijing in August is a magnificent testament to his determination and dedication to reach the pinnacle in the sport, and he richly deserves his place on the Ireland team to compete in the Olympic Games and take his place on the starting line against the best athletes on the planet. Since he won his first Leinster Cross Country title as a 13 year old in Wexford he has been a model of consistency, winning several Regional and National titles. Martin was a gifted hurler, a skill he inherited from his father Mickey, but at 14 years of age he decided to concentrate on athletics, giving up all other sports.

Martin now joins another Mullingar Harriers athlete, Cormac Finnerty, as the only two Westmeath people to compete in the Olympic Games and the similarities don’t end there. Both trained at the same grounds, went to the same school (St. Mary’s CBS) and both went on athletic scholarship to the USA. This latest achievement will be a huge boost to the many young athletes at present in the Club, as now they have a new idol to look up to, and he is one of our own. So congratulations once again and let us all hope that the town of Mullingar will now get behind Martin and give him the support he deserves.

It is another indication of the amazing talent that has come through our underage coaching and racing structure since the Club was founded and continues to this day with the Club winning the “Best Club” award in Leinster Cross Country just a few weeks ago for the tenth year in a row, with Martin very prominent in many of these victories.

We cannot forget two of our other top stars of the present Mark Christie and Damien Bateman (at senior level) who if things go right might be joining Martin in Beijing.  Nevertheless, Mullingar Harriers will more than likely have three Club members at the Olympic Games in 2008. Joining Martin Fagan will be Pat Ryan as walks coach, and Bobbie Begley as executive member of the Olympic Council of Ireland. It will be a really proud day for the Club.