The 9th edition of the Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival in association with Fingal County Council will take place at the Sport Ireland Campus this coming Sunday (October 19th) with a host of star names set to take to competition across the busy schedule.
Senior athletes Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley AC) and Sophie Tarver (England) will look to defend their 2024 titles against strong fields across their respective races at 1.40pm and 2.20pm.
This year’s Autumn Open is part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour (Bronze) and will for the second time incorporate a Mixed Senior Cross Country Relay (11.00am) which will see the top two clubs qualifying to represent Ireland at the European Club Cross Country Championships next year.
The National Juvenile Mixed Relays will take centre stage from 11.30am and are sure to offer their customary thrills and spills as the next generation of cross country stars take to championship action.
Autumn Open Cross Country: Senior Races
The senior men’s race is set for a 2.20pm start where Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley AC) will bid to make it three-in-a-row at the Autumn Open. The Moy Valley athlete used last year’s win as a stepping stone towards his first national cross country title in Fermanagh and another bold showing can be expected once again.
Kilrehill won’t have it all his own way however with the fast underfoot conditions likely to suit several of the seasoned cross country specialists. Challenges from GB will come in the form of Max Walk (England) and Terry Fawden (England), while Micheal Power (West Waterford AC), Cathal O’Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers), Callum Morgan (CNDR Track), and Lughaigh Mallon (UCD AC) will all look to position themselves in the leaders pack from the gun.
The senior women’s race (1.40pm) looks set to be an ultra-competitive affair with Íde Nic Dhómhnaill (West Limerick AC) set to return as she bids to regain her 2023 title. Nic Dhomhnaill put in a brave defence of her title last year, ultimately having to settle for second place behind England’s Sophie Tarver who looks a leading contender once more.
Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) was third last year and returns for another tilt at bettering her podium finish, while Róise Roberts (CNDR Track), Faye Dervan (DCH), Cheryl Nolan (St Abbans), Sorcha Nic Domhnall (West Limerick AC), Kirsty Maher (Moy Valley), and Emma McEvoy (DSD) will ensure a strong Irish representation.
GB athletes have enjoyed impressive showings at the Autumn Open in recent years, and England’s India Barwell, Ciara Muzio, and Emily Muzio will look to continue the trend.
U20 Races
The junior men’s race is stacked with talent and looks hard to call on paper. Caolan McFadden (Cranford AC) and Odhran McBrearty (Finn Valley) continue to impress as they move up through the age grades, while Frank Buchanan (St Michael’s College AC) looks one to keep a close eye on as the U20 men split from the senior athletes on their way to the 6,000m finish.
The junior women’s race looks just as competitive with GB boasting a strong challenge with Maisie Trueman (England), Emma McLennan (Scotland), Freya Perry (England), Abbe Clarke (England), and India Frost (England) all entered.
The ultra-consistent Dearbhla Allen of St. Peter’s AC was third in the race last year and could very well lead the Irish challenge. Megan Brunt (Blackrock AC) has continued to impress in recent seasons, while the fast conditions could suit Maebh Caffrey (St Cocas), Pia Langton (Kilkenny City Harriers), Aimee Wallace (Mullingar Harriers), and Emma Hickey (United Striders) to name but a few.
The masters races hold plenty of intrigue as athletes go in pursuit of the Jim McNamara Cup. Predicting the direction of this year’s titles is a difficult task with several of the masters contingent in action at the European Masters Championships in Portugal this week.
For the third time, this year’s Autumn Open will incorporate a Mixed Senior Cross Country Relay. Last year saw Dublin City Harriers (17.53) go one better than the previous year in taking first place. Dundrum South Dublin chased DCH all the way on that occasion, crossing in second to confirm their qualification for the European Club Cross Country Championships.
There will be thrills a plenty in the battle for relay honours in the Inter-Club Juvenile Cross Country Relays. More important than the titles on offer, the event offers an opportunity to further whet the appetite for cross country running. The event has proved a huge success with the year-on-year growth in entries continuing in 2025.
Prizes:
- Senior Men & Women: 1st: €500, 2nd: €400, 3rd: €300, 4th: €200, 5th: €100
- Under 20 Men & Women: 1st: €150, 2nd: €100, 3rd: €50
- Masters: Jim McNamara Perpetual Trophy: 1st: €150, 2nd: €100, 3rd: €50
Spectators:
- Spectator Tickets HERE (U16s go free and do not require a ticket. Please note adult tickets purchased at the gate will be €15 so please buy online in advance for €11).
2024 Autumn Open International Cross Country Results Summary:
Senior Men 8,000m
1 Keelan KILREHILL Moy Valley A.C. 23:51
2 Sean TOBIN Clonmel A.C. 24:16
3 Isaac HIRSHMANCHANDLER Spain 24:20
4 Finley DALY Sligo A.C. 24:26
Senior Women 6,000m
1 Sophie TARVER England 20:12
2 Ide NICDHOMHNAILL West Limerick A.C. 20:25
3 Fiona EVERARD Bandon A.C. 20:32
4 Nakita BURKE Letterkenny A.C. 20:43
Junior Men 6,000m
1 Sean QUINN Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 17:56
2 Noah HARRIS Parnell A.C. 18:18
3 Lughaidh MALLON Lagan Valley A.C. 18:28
Junior Women 4,500m
1 Emily BOLTON Clonliffe Harriers 15:23
2 India BARWELL England 15:48
3 Dearbhla ALLEN St. Peter’s A.C. 16:01
Master Men
1 Michael HARTY East Cork A.C. 25:03
2 Kenneth ROGERS St. John’s A.C. 25:37
3 Jon-Jo DOHERTY Finn Valley A.C. 25:58
Master Women
1 Fiona GETTINGS Longford A.C. 21:37
2 Kate PURCELL Raheny Shamrock A.C. 21:42
3 Claire MCGUIGAN Letterkenny A.C. 22:03
