26th October 2008 - Results and Fixtures

Triumph for Tullamore Harriers in the Wicklow Hills!
The Leinster Novice and Masters Cross Country Championships took place in Avondale,Rathdrum,Co Wicklow on Sunday last 26th of October. Heavy wintery rain in the previous few days gave way to a tough cross country circuit. But difficult conditions didnt deter any of the athletes from racing hard and bringing home many well deserved medals and titles.

First race was the Womens Novice run over 3000metres. Maire -Triona Keane showed great strength from the start and was well placed with the leading women.With 200metres to go she made an impressive sprint beating Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers),to become Novice Leinster Champion. New member to the club , Rose Marie Masterson had a great race and fnished in 10th place, followed by fellow team member Sharon Leonard (16th place)who too had a steady run and fast finish.Mary Daly finished (19th place). The girls earned 1st place club title and 2nd place county title.

Next race was the Novice Men run over 6000 metres. This race was won easily by Barry Minnock, racing strong  from the start.Catch Grennan(27th) showed he is making a good return from injury and dug deep.John Scanlon (29th) and Barry Lambe (31st) ran closely and put in a great performance. Declan Madden(38th) recently joined the club and  certainly made a good impression in his first race with the club. He and John O"Connell (40th) battled hard and fast, and fellow team member Darren Butler (53rd) showed great determination also.The men were 7th club overall and 2nd county team.

The Masters Womens were next to make and impression. Pauline Curley raced effortlessly and amid cheering and shouting, she was a clear winner from the start. Liz Cuskelly finished in 3rd place and she too looked strong. Ann Carroll made up the trio and raced steady to finish in 8th place. The ladies brought home gold medals for both club and county catagories.

Last race of the day, and certainly on worsening conditions, the Masters Men ran 6000 metres.Here too Tullamore Harriers had a champion -Noel Kelly ran a brillant race, battling closely with Mick Byrne (Sli Cualann) for most of the course. But he showed his true grit in the last 300meters and stormed to victory. Adrian Curley fought his way up the field and finished in 12th place followed closely by Martin Carroll (16th). John Todd(30th) and Johnny Feery (33rd) ran steady and were followed home by Paddy Dolan(58th). The team won silver medals in the Masters club and 3rd place in Masters county.
So it was a memorable day in Wicklow for the Tullamore Harriers with excellent performances from each and every athlete.

Dublin City Marathon
Well done to Adrian Martin and Larry Rigney who took part in Dublin Marathon. Results next week.

Fixtures
2nd November;Offaly Senior Cross Country in Charliville est, Tullamore
9th  November; Intermediate Cross Country Championships, Abbeyleix, Co laoise

Training
Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am(except on race day).  New members always welcome.All members must wear reflective clothing when running on the roads.

Sympathy
Tullamore Harriers wish to extend sympathy to Maire-Triona Keane on the death of her Grandfather, Mr James Horan,RIP. and to Tony Walsh on the death of his brother, Thadius Walsh RIP.