O’Brien and Hawkins Take Intermediate Honours at National Cross Country Championships

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O’Brien and Hawkins Take Intermediate Honours at National Cross Country Championships

15 February 2026

The 123.ie National Intermediate, Masters and Juvenile B Cross Country Championships took place at the Sport Ireland National Cross Country Course today (February 15th), bringing together athletes from across the country for a competitive day of racing.

Due to recent adverse weather, distances were adjusted, with all races contested over a 1km loop on a demanding championship course.

Intermediate Women 4000m

Fiona Hawkins (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) added the Intermediate Women’s title to her season with a winning time of 17:06 over 4000m. Hope Saunders (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) followed home in second, with Caitlin Hughes (Swinford A.C.) securing third place.

Hawkins’ victory helped Dublin City Harriers A.C. to team gold, with Eavan McLoughlin, Karen Hayes and Áine O’Connor completing the scoring four. Galway City Harriers A.C. finished second overall, while Clonliffe Harriers A.C. secured third.

Intermediate Men 6000m

The day concluded with a thrilling finish in the Intermediate Men’s 6000m. Frank O’Brien (East Cork A.C.) held a narrow advantage in the closing stages and crossed the line in 22:00 to secure the national title, marking a return to the top of the podium for East Cork A.C., who last claimed this crown in 2024.

Just metres behind, Mahad Mohamed Egaal (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) and Thomas McStay (Galway City Harriers A.C.) battled all the way to the finish, with only three seconds separating the top three.

While O’Brien took individual honours, Galway City Harriers A.C. claimed team gold, led by McStay and supported by David Carter, Jamie Walsh and Padraig Faherty. Clonliffe Harriers A.C. secured silver, with Donore Harriers A.C. finishing third.

Masters Championships

Master Women 3000m

The Master Women’s title was claimed by Sinead O’Connor (Leevale A.C.), who crossed the line in 11:54 to secure national gold.

Ashley Ryan (Longford A.C.) finished second, while Sharon Rynne (Leevale A.C.), silver medallist in 2025, returned to the podium once again with bronze.

Master Men (65+) 3000m

In the Master Men’s race (65+), Laurence Johnston (North Belfast Harriers) secured national gold in 13:08. His clubmate David Clarke ensured a one-two finish for North Belfast Harriers in second.

Gerard Moloney (Sliabh Bhuide Rovers A.C.), no stranger to this event, completed the top three.

Master Men 6000m

Colm Rooney (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) successfully defended his title, making it back-to-back national crowns.

Conán McCaughey (North Belfast Harriers) finished second, while Sergii Raschupkin (Drogheda and District A.C.) placed third.

Juvenile B Championships

The Juvenile B races opened proceedings, with competitive performances across all age groups setting the tone for the day.

U11 Girls 1000m

A tightly contested U11 Girls race saw Saoirse Quinlivan (Ennis Track A.C.) secure gold in 3:59. Anna Murphy (Fergus A.C.) finished second, with Ailbhe McMullin (Longford A.C.) third, just two seconds separating the medal positions.

U11 Boys 1000m

Over the same distance, Davin Brohan (St. Cronans A.C.) recorded a winning time of 3:42 to claim the national title. Hugh Hyland (Swinford A.C.) placed second, while Luke Howard (West Muskerry A.C.) completed the top three.

U13 Girls 1000m

Stepping up in age group, Sophie O’Connor (St. Catherine’s A.C.) secured the U13 title in 3:52. Kate Kelly (Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.) took silver, with Caoimhe Galligan (Glenmore A.C.) earning bronze.

U13 Boys 1000m

Victory in the U13 Boys race went to Oran O’Neill (Longford A.C.), who crossed first in 3:39. Riain Duignan (St. Cronans A.C.) finished second, while Cillian Fitzgerald (St. Catherine’s A.C.) placed third.

U15 Girls 2000m

The first of the two-lap contests saw Saoirse Ferguson (Ferrybank A.C.) claim gold in 7:53. Olatz Cole Garcia (Bray Runners A.C.) secured second place, while Neasa Moloney (Mooreabbey Milers A.C.), the 2024 U13 champion, added another national medal to her collection with bronze.

U15 Boys 2000m

A strong performance from Eamonn Óg McElligott (Tralee Harriers A.C.) earned him the U15 title in 7:24. McElligott, who finished ninth in the U13 race in 2024, returned to claim national gold at the higher age group. Albert Maher (Dundrum A.C.) took silver, with Brendan Judge (Thurles Crokes A.C.) stepping onto the podium this year in third.

U17 Girls 3000m

Over 3000m, Faye Gallagher (Swinford A.C.) led the field home in 12:56 to secure the U17 crown. Orla Casey (Castlegar A.C.) finished second, while Eadaoin Duffy (Clonmel A.C.) claimed bronze.

U17 Boys 3000m

The U17 Boys title went to Philip McManus (Sligo A.C.), who completed the course in 11:39. Rian McCaffrey (Longford A.C.) secured silver, while Evan Costello (Dunleer A.C.) finished third.

From tightly contested juvenile races to dramatic finishes in the Intermediate contests, the championships once again highlighted the strength and depth of cross country running nationwide.

Athletics Ireland extends its thanks to all athletes, officials, volunteers and staff who contributed to the smooth delivery of the event at the Sport Ireland Campus.