Competitive Fields Set for 10th Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival

Some of Ireland’s leading cross country athletes will descend on the Sport Ireland Campus this Sunday (October 18th) for the 10th edition of the Autumn Open International Cross Country, held in association with Fingal County Council.

An action-packed programme promises an exciting day of racing, with defending champions, international medallists, emerging talents and some of Ireland’s most experienced distance runners set to compete.

The senior races will headline the afternoon’s action, with defending women’s champion Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) looking to retain her title at 1.40pm, before a fiercely competitive senior men’s race gets underway at 2.20pm.

The Autumn Open will also feature the Mixed Senior Cross Country Relay, which offers clubs a pathway to European competition, alongside the National Juvenile Mixed Relays, U20 races and masters competitions.

Everard Faces Strong Challenge in Senior Women’s Race

The senior women’s 6,000m race (1.40pm) promises to be one of the highlights of the day, with defending champion Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) returning to the Sport Ireland Campus looking to make it back-to-back Autumn Open victories.

Everard enjoyed another impressive cross country campaign last season, claiming the national senior title before leading Ireland home with a top-ten individual finish at the European Cross Country Championships.

She will face no shortage of competition on Sunday, with Niamh Allen (Leevale AC), runner-up to Everard at last year’s National Cross Country Championships, among her leading challengers.

Roise Roberts (CNDR Track), who finished sixth overall and claimed the U23 title at last year’s national championships, will also be one to watch, alongside Zoe Toland (CNDR Track AC), who placed sixth at the 2025 Autumn Open.

Amy Greene (Finn Valley AC) adds further depth to a quality field. Greene finished eighth in last year’s race before going on to secure a top-20 finish in the U23 race at the European Cross Country Championships last December.

With several athletes building towards November’s National Cross Country Championships, Sunday’s race should provide an early indication of form ahead of another exciting domestic season.

Senior Men’s Showdown

The senior men’s 7,500m race (2.20pm) looks particularly difficult to call, with a host of established names and emerging contenders set to battle for honours.

William Fitzgerald (Craughwell AC) returns after finishing runner-up in last year’s race to the absent Callum Morgan, clocking 24:53, and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Conall McClean (CNDR Track AC), fourth in 2025, is another leading contender, while Paul O’Donnell (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Cathal O’Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Thomas McStay (Galway City Harriers) will all be looking to make their presence felt.

Ennis Track will have strong representation through Mark Hanrahan and Barry Conway, while Clonliffe Harriers are expected to feature prominently through the experienced Colm Rooney and the Guiden brothers, Ben and Ian.

Rising Stars Take Centre Stage in U20 Races

Some of Ireland’s brightest young distance-running talents will also be on show, with both U20 races promising high-quality competition.

The junior women’s race will see the return of defending champion Emma Hickey (United Striders AC), who produced a commanding victory at last year’s Autumn Open.

That performance proved the springboard for a remarkable cross country season, which saw Hickey claim the national U20 title before securing a superb bronze medal at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, aged just 16.

Hickey will face familiar opposition from Abby Smith (Shercock AC), who finished second in last year’s race and looks set to be among her closest challengers once again.

Leia Ryan (Metro/St. Brigid’s AC), third in 2025, also returns, while Megan Brunt (Blackrock AC) adds further strength to an exciting line-up.

The junior men’s race looks equally competitive, with Odhran McBrearty (Finn Valley AC), who secured a top-ten finish at last year’s event, among the athletes to watch.

Charlie O’Neill (Donore Harriers) and Andrew Hinds (Togher AC) are also expected to feature prominently in what promises to be a closely contested race.

European Qualification on the Line in Mixed Senior Relay

The Mixed Senior Cross Country Relay will once again provide an exciting opening to the programme, with racing getting underway at 11.00am.

Now in its third year as part of the Autumn Open, the event carries added significance, with the top two clubs securing qualification to represent Ireland at next year’s European Club Cross Country Championships.

Dublin City Harriers claimed the title for the second successive year in 2025, clocking an impressive 18:23, and the battle for relay honours promises to be fiercely contested once again.

Nenagh Olympic will be looking to challenge for the title, while Crusaders AC and Rathfarnham WSAF AC are also expected to be firmly in contention.

Juvenile Relays Set to Deliver Plenty of Excitement

The National Inter-Club Juvenile Mixed Cross Country Relays will take centre stage from 11.30am, bringing together young athletes from clubs across the country.

Always among the most entertaining elements of the Autumn Open programme, the juvenile relays offer an opportunity for the next generation of athletes to experience the excitement of championship competition.

Beyond the medals, the relays provide an important opportunity to encourage young athletes to embrace cross country running and develop a lifelong connection with the sport.

Masters Athletes Chase Jim McNamara Cup Honours

The masters races will add another intriguing dimension to Sunday’s programme, with athletes competing for the Jim McNamara Cup. With several strong contenders in the mix, the destination of this year’s titles remains difficult to predict, setting the stage for some fiercely contested racing. The event incorporates the Masters Cross Country Trials. Masters athletes must compete over their appropriate distance to be considered for selection purposes.

• Autumn Open Timetable Link

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

Additional Event Information

• Registration and number collection available onsite.
• Changing facilities and refreshments located close to the cross country course.

Spectators:

• Spectator Tickets LINK 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).

• Parking Information LINK HERE
• Results link via MyRunResults

 2025 Autumn Open International Cross Country Results Summary:

Senior Men 8,000m

1. Callum Morgan – CNDR Track A.C. – 24:42
2. William Fitzgerald – Craughwell A.C. – 24:53
3. Lughaidh Mallon – U.C.D. A.C. – 24:57

Senior Women 6,000m

1. Fiona Everard – Bandon A.C. – 20:52
2. India Barwell – England – 21:05
3. Kirsty Maher – Moy Valley A.C. – 21:07

Junior Men 6,000m

1. Frank Buchanan – St Michaels College A.C. – 19:04
2. Finn Diver – Beechmount Harriers A.C. – 19:14
3. Ryan O’Neill – Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C. – 19:17

Junior Women 4,500m

1. Emma Hickey – United Striders A.C. – 15:39
2. Abby Smith – Shercock A.C. – 16:30
3. Leia Ryan – Metro/St. Brigids A.C. – 16:40

Master Men

1. Conán McCaughey – North Belfast Harriers – 26:05
2. Kenneth Rogers – St. John’s A.C. – 26:23
3. Peter Arthur – St. Laurence O’Toole A.C. – 26:41

Master Women

1. Dymphna Ryan – Dundrum A.C. – 21:54
2. Sinead O’Connor – Leevale A.C. – 22:19
3. Noeleen Scanlan – Finn Valley A.C. – 22:28