Tullamore Harriers Report – November 24th.
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲
Congratulations to Danielle Donegan, who delivered a superb performance to claim 3rd place in the 123.ie National Senior Cross Country Championships on Sunday the 23rd of November. This result all but secures her selection for the Irish Senior Cross Country Team for the upcoming 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, which will take place in Lagoa, Algarve, on 14th of December.
The championships, hosted by City of Derry Spartans at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry, were held in what can only be described as true winter cross-country conditions: bitterly cold winds and persistent rain throughout the day. Although the course was flat, it offered a classic cross-country challenge underfoot -sticky in places, heavy, and increasingly sloppy as the day went on. Some even compared it to the scenes witnessed recently at the Ploughing Championships.
Danielle ran a determined race over the 7,500m course, maintaining her position as she chased down eventual winner Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) and race favourite Niamh Allen (Leevale AC). Danielle finished just 6 seconds behind Niamh.
Having also finished third in this event last year, Danielle made her debut for the Irish Senior Cross Country Team at last December’s European Championships in Turkey, followed by the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade in March 2025, and her result in this championship is another testament to her consistency and hard work.
Evelyn Coughlan was placed a commendable 62nd.
The Senior & U23 Men’s race followed the lady’s event, with the men covering the same distance as the women. Here the line out also featured a very high-quality field and by this stage, the course had become extremely sloppy. The difficult conditions perhaps made the race all the more exciting for the spectators as they watched these high-class athletes navigate the course while battling for national titles.
The race was won by Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), with Nick Griggs (CNDR Track A.C.) taking second place and first U23, followed by Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers A.C.) in third.
For Tullamore Harriers, Jack Donegan was the first finisher, placing 90th overall and 30th in the U23 category having had a strong run. He was followed closely by Michael Murphy in 91st place and Barry Mooney in 138th.
Tullamore Harriers Results:
Danielle Donegan 27.10
Jack Donegan: 28:21
Michael Murphy: 28:50
Barry Mooney: 31:10
Evelyn Coughlan 31.16
Harriers in action in Derry at National Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Championships
Just over a dozen of Tullamore Harriers juvenile squad made the trip north to the compete in the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships held in gruelling conditions at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry. All raced well and will have gained valuable experience for races in the years ahead.
Ally Duffy put in a stellar performance in the Under 16 race to finish second. She raced well tactically and sat in fourth for most of the race before starting to kick for home with three hundred metres to go. Ally’s run means she will now go forward to represent Ireland at the Celtic Cross Country/Home Nations International U17 event on Saturday February 7th, 2026, in Parliament Hill near London. Also congrats to Ally Duffy and Tilly Cusack who both earned All-Ireland silver medals as they scored on Leinster teams.
Under 12 Girls
43 Sophie Hynes
Under 12 Boys
51 Aubin Walsh
Under 14 Girls
14 Matilda Cusack
38 Sarah Whittaker
143 Annabel Donegan
169 Meabh Boland
Under 14 Boys
51 James Hynes
Under 16 Girls
2 Ally Duffy
Under 16 Boys
38 Daniel Rigney
Under 18/20 Girls
73 Eabhadbh Multaney Kelly
76 Aurelia Crotty
138 Kara Daly
150 Polly Duffy
Under 18/20 Boys
70 Patrick Duffy
NCAA National Championships.
Ava O’Connor was in action stateside on Saturday, November 22nd, competing in the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships. Representing Adams State University in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ava delivered an excellent performance, finishing 8th overall in this prestigious event and helping her team secure a strong 4th place finish.
Offaly Senior Cross Country Championships
On Sunday next the 30th of November, Tullamore Harriers AC will host Day 4 of the Offaly Cross Country Championships – the Offaly Senior Men and Women’s races at the Faithful Fields in Kilcormac.
Starting at the earlier time of 9.30am, the ladies will race first followed immediately by the men.
Online entry closes on Thursday November 27th. No entries on the day.
Fixtures
Saturday 29th of November – Leinster B and Juvenile Mixed Relays @Stradbally.
Sunday 30th November – Offaly Senior Cross Country Championships @The Faithful Fields, Kilcormac – 9.30am
Sunday 7th December - Athletics Ireland National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships @Abbotstown, Dublin
Sunday 21st December – Christmas Grand National Club race- 9am
Senior Training
Training Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.
For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita
0868386687