A Laois athlete who won a medal at the European Cross Country Championships is set to receive a Civic Reception.
This is the highest honour that Laois County Council can bestow upon someone in the county.
Back in December, Portlaoise’s Mary Mulhare was the crucial runner as Ireland claimed a stunning bronze medal at the European Cross Country Championships.
Ireland claimed a silver medal in this event last year but were without the talented Ciara Mageean and Fionnuala McCormack.
Therefore, many pundits didn’t give Ireland a chance of repeating a medal winning feat.
However, the team timed their run to perfection as they improved their individual standings lap by lap.
Sisters Eilish and Roisin Flanagan led the team home side-by-side in 11th and 12th place as individuals.
The battle for bronze was down between Ireland and Spain with Portlaoise’s Mary Mulhare set to be Ireland’s final scorer.
The Portlaoise CBS teacher crossed the line in 27th position and that was enough to secure the medal.
A week later, Mary Mulhare returned to action where she won the Laois Cross Country Championships.
The motion for the Civic Reception was made at today’s meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District by Fianna Fail’s Catherine Fitzgerald.
Cllr Fitzgerald said: “Mary is a local girl who has worked extremely hard to get to where she is.
“She won a European medal and not just that, she was the crucial score on the team that got them over the line.
“She started in St Fintan’s and down at the Leisure Centre and is a more than worthy recipient.”
Seconding the motion, Cllr Willie Aird said: “Mary is an ambassador in our community.
“You won’t win a European medal while sitting watching tv on the couch – that is for certain.”
The proposal will now go before the Corporate Policy Group next week where a date will be set.
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