There was no doubting it was an action-packed day at the Irish Life Health National Intermediate, Master, Juvenile B & Relays Cross Country Championships in Castlelyons today (Feb 13th).

St Nicholas A.C. proved wonderful hosts on a day that saw a massive entry take on the purest of cross country running conditions.

TINKLER TRIUMPHS

Lauren Tinkler (Dublin City Harriers) confirmed favouritism in taking the women’s intermediate title with a brilliant display in the muddy conditions. Tinkler, who was part of the Irish U23 team at the European Cross Country Championships last December, showed all of her big race experience to take the gold medal. Tinkler’s DCH clubmate Celine Galvin (Dublin City Harriers) followed in 19 seconds later to take the silver, while also providing the platform for DCH to take club honours.

Ellen Moran (Galway City Harriers) followed hot on the heels of the front pair to claim the bronze.

FITZGERALD FINISH LINE FEVER

Evan Fitzgerald (Clonmen A.C.) produced a brilliant display to take the men’s intermediate title. The Clonmel athlete was afforded the luxury of enjoying his winning performance on the run in, having built up an over 20-second lead over rivals Jamie Fallon (Craghwell A.C.) and Eoin Smyth (Tara A.C.) who claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Leevale took the club honours, led home by Gavin O’Rourke in 4th. The Cork club also calling upon the services of Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, Paul O’Donovan, who crossed the line in 34th.

OLYMPIAN OOZES CLASS

Another Olympian was in action in the masters race where Lizzie Lee (F40 Leevale A.C.) enjoyed a titanic battle with her clubmate Sinead O'Connor (F35 Leevale A.C.). Lee would go on to take the narrow victory, adding yet another team title to Leevale’s collection in the process.

Barbara Cleary (F45Donore Harriers) was in contention throughout and would run on to claim a well-deserved 3 place finish overall as well as the F45 title.

O'DONOGHUE MASTERS CORK CONDITIONS

The men’s division looked ultra-competitive on paper but Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork A.C.) didn’t read the script, powering away to take the men’s title in what was a seriously deep field.

O’Donoghue finished over 20 seconds ahead of the ever consistent Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers AC) who is sure to have felt his exploits at the ECCC Cross Country in Portugal last weekend.  

Eoin Mullan (Omagh Harriers) battled hard with Ciobanu up the home straight but ultimately would have to settle for a brave 3rd place finish.

Rathfarnham W.S.A.F took the club gold medal thanks to some great pack running. Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F) led them home, with his three scoring teammates all inside the top 21 places.

JUVENILES SET THE TONE

There was no shortage of great races and drama in the juvenile races. Niall Quirke (Dundrum A.C.) and Ula Sokolowska (Midleton A.C.) took gold in the U11 races which opened the day’s action. Odhran Rodgers (Rosses A.C.) and Sarah Mulvaney-Kelly (North Leitrim A.C.) claimed the U13 titles.

Aoife Walsh led home a one-two for D.M.P. A.C. in the U15 race, while Peter Verling (St. Nicholas A.C.) enjoyed one of the cheers of the day as he crossed to collect gold.

Caoimhe Phelan (St. Senans A.C.) and William Park (United Striders A.C.) look names to remember and they took their respective U17 titles.

Select Results:

Intermediate M

1             Evan FITZGERALD 00:25:00           124                       Clonmel A.C.

2             Jamie FALLON    00:25:27              123                       Craughwell A.C.

3             Eoin SMYTH        00:25:29              101                       Tara A.C.

Intermediate F

1             Lauren TINKLER 00:18:00              38                          Dublin City Harriers A.C.

2             Celine GAVIN     00:18:19              44                          Dublin City Harriers A.C.

3             Ellen MORAN     00:18:29              18                          Galway City Harriers A.C.

Masters M

1             Tim O'DONOGHUE 00:21:52        521        M35       East Cork A.C.

2             Sergiu CIOBANU 00:22:14             512        M35       Clonliffe Harriers A.C.

3             Eoin MULLAN     00:22:19              506        M35       Omagh Harriers

Masters F

1             Lizzie LEE                            00:14:05              282        F40         Leevale A.C.

2             Sinead O'CONNOR           00:14:12              239        F35         Leevale A.C.

3             Barbara CLEARY               00:14:30              37           F45         Donore Harriers

Masters M 65+

1             Martin MCDONALD         00:15:25              414        M65       Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District A.C.

2             Neilus AHERNE                00:16:07              401        M65       Midleton A.C.

3             Eamonn MCEVOY            00:16:09              395        M65       St. Finbarrs A.C.

U17 Boys

1             William Park       698        United Striders A.C.

2             William Verling 702        St. Nicholas A.C.

3             Gearóid Long     701        St. Senans A.C.

U17 Girls

1             Caoimhe Phelan               354        St. Senans A.C.

2             Niamh MCDonald            388        St. Coca's A.C.

3             Grace Rynne      365        Ennis Track A.C.

U15 Boys

1             Peter Verling      641        St. Nicholas A.C.

2             Cormac Fennessy             676        Carraig Na Bhfear A.C.

3             Thomas Paul Smith Carberry       670        Bohermeen A.C.

U15 Girls

1             Aoife Walsh        301        D.M.P. A.C.

2             Maria Coone      302        D.M.P. A.C.

3             Aoibheann Ryan 275       K.C.K. A.C.

U13 Boys

1             Odhran Rodgers 539       Rosses A.C.

2             Isaac Vickers      561        Farranfore Maine Valley A.C.

3             Oscar Smiddy     590        Midleton A.C.

U13 Girls

1             Sarah Mulvaney-Kelly     148        North Leitrim A.C.

2             Aisling Nolan      216        St. Coca's A.C.

3             Cara English       142        St Abbans A.C.

U11 Boys

1             Niall Quirke        452        Dundrum A.C.

2             Andrew Walsh   416        K.C.K. A.C.

3             Evan Ward          409        Rosses A.C.

U11 Girls

1             Ula Sokolowska                79           Midleton A.C.

2             Ciara Moore       11           Star of the Laune A.C.

3             Emily O'Keeffe   69           Gowran A.C.

Full list of provisional results available HERE