IUAA Cross Country Preview - Athletics Ireland
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IUAA Cross Country Preview

19 October 2024

Over 330 athletes from 16 third-level institutions will make the trip down south to Cork this weekend for the 63rd edition of the IUAA Intervarsity Cross Country Championships. Action begins in UCC Curraheen sports grounds at 2pm on Saturday with the women’s 5000m race, followed shortly by the men’s 8000m race. An exciting day is in store, with both team and individual honours on the line.

In the women’s race, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) will be looking to retain last year’s team title however will face stiff competition from hosts University College Cork (UCC) and strong teams from University of Galway (UG), Dublin City University (DCU), Munster Technological University (MTU) and University College Dublin (UCD).

National Senior Champion Fiona Everard (UG) is entered in the women’s race however will face fierce competition from last year’s runner up Hannah Gilliland (QUB). Middle-distance athletes Eimear Maher (UCC) and Lucy Holmes (MTU) will hope to keep individual honours in Cork whilst DCU’s Amy Greene and Avril Millerick will be hoping to lead their teammates to silverware. Other athletes to watch include Evelyn Coughlan (TCD) and Ciara O’Neill (MTU) while the entry list is also highlighted by former national marathon champion Courtney McGuire (UG)

In the men’s race, last year’s champion Niall Murphy (UL) is among the favourites to retain his title and will look to lead his University of Limerick (UL) teammates to a 3rd consecutive team title. This will be no easy task as strong teams from DCU and UG will look to put an end to this streak. Cork senior champion Paul Hartnett (UCC) will be hoping to end the UCC men’s 12-year medal drought on home soil with strong men’s teams also entered by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and TCD.

Pierre Murchan (TCD) finished in 4th place the last time these championships took place in Cork and is sure to be in the mix for individual honours on Saturday. Pierre will be joined by fellow IUAA 2024 outdoor champions Cathal O’Reily (DCU) and Callum Morgan (QUB) who are no strangers to cross country. UL’s Mark Hanrahan and UG’s Thomas McStay and Oisin Murray are also sure to be in the mix for individual honours.

Course Map & Event Information: https://iuaa.org/Championships/XC/index.html

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