Tullamore Harriers Report - 15th December 2025

Tullamore Harriers report 15th December 2025

European Cross Country Championships

Irish athletics brought a record medal-winning 2025 season to a memorable close at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa on Sunday, 14 December. This 31st edition of the Championships certainly captured the attention of the Irish audience at home, as well as the many supporters who travelled to Portugal to cheer on the Irish squad, with a very large percentage from Tullamore Harriers!

A total of 644 athletes from 36 countries were in contention over the various championship races. It was the fourth time that Portugal hosted the championships - Oeiras in 1997, Albufeira in 2010 and Lisbon in 2019.

And what a day it proved to be for Ireland, highlighted by a superb victory for Nick Griggs and team gold in the men’s U23 race, an outstanding team silver in the senior men’s event to secure a first medal at that level in 25 years, and a brilliant bronze medal for Emma Hickey in the women’s U20 race.

Tullamore Harriers was proudly represented by two athletes, Danielle Donegan and Ava O’Connor. Danielle has competed at every European Cross Country Championships since 2019, representing Ireland in the U20 race in 2019 and at U23 races in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This marked her second appearance in the senior race, having earned selection with a third-place finish at the recent 123.ie National Cross Country Championships. US-based Ava lined out with the U23 team for the second consecutive year.

The Lagoa course was a far cry from what Irish athletes are typically accustomed to, with a notable lack of heavy mud and sticky and sloppy underfoot conditions. Instead, it offered a classic European cross-country test, set in the Algarve parkland and featured compact dirt and natural grass. The looped course incorporated gentle undulating hills, along with numerous twists and turns.

In the U23 race, Ava lined out for the 5,960m race. Ava ran a controlled and composed race. She maintained a strong, consistent pace throughout and finished in 25th position having battled for a top 10 position in the first half of the run. Ava helped the Irish team secure an impressive seventh-place finish overall. 

Irish placings in the U23 race were as follows:

11th Kirsty Maher (Moy Valley AC), 20th Amy Greene (Finn Valley AC), 25th Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers), 26th Anika Thompson (Leevale AC) and 34th Roise Roberts (Candour Track Club).

Danielle lined out in the senior women’s race, covering the longer 7,470m distance. Drawing on her experience, she settled comfortably into the race alongside her teammates and looked comfortable throughout, building her way from 56th position on her first lap to a very commendable 36th place. Fiona Everard was the leading Irish finisher in the senior women’s race, placing an excellent tenth overall. 

Niamh Allen was next home for Ireland in 23rd place, with Danielle next. Emily Haggard-Kearney (44th) and Mary Mulhare (50th) completed the Irish team, which finished eighth overall.

Congratulations to everyone who wore the Irish vest, and especially to Ava and Danielle. It was a proud day for Irish athletics and Tullamore Harriers.