Laois athletes travelled to Antalya, Turkey, over the weekend as part of a 36-strong Irish team taking part in the European Cross Country Championships.
Cheryl Nolan from St Abban’s Athletics Club and Mary Mulhare from Portlaoise Athletics Club represented the County as part of the Ireland Ladies senior team.
Nolan and Mulhare were joined on the team by Danielle Donnegan (Tullamore Harriers), Niamh Allen (Leevale), Anne Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny) and Fiona Everard (Bandon).
The Senior Women’s race was the penultimate event of the day with the athletes competing over 7.8km.
Pre-race favourite and Olympic medallist Nadia Batocletti of Italy set her stall out early, pushing a very fast pace.
This was Nolan’s first full senior International, earned off the back of her 6th place finish at the National Cross-Country Championships in Fermanagh.
The Irish girls packed closely together, all working hard to keep the team in contention.
At the front end, Allen was having a fantastic race and leading the Irish team home.
Nolan was dealing well with the testing conditions, and seemed to be leading the rest of the team through the technical part of the course with small inclines and obstacles to overcome.
As the ladies entered the final lap, Nolan was second of the Irish, battling with plenty of other nations for places.
The St Abban’s athlete duly crossed the line in 57th place, second of the Irish, helping the team to a tenth-place finish overall.
The team was led home by Allen in an outstanding 11th place with McGlynn completing the team in 62nd.
Portlaoise’s Mulhare was just behind in 66th place with Everard and Donnegan further back in 73rd and 74th position respectively.
Nolan said she was “delighted” with her first outing at the European Cross Country and has undoubtedly made lasting memories for herself, her family and St Abban’s.
“As a club, we would like to send our heartiest congratulations to Cheryl on her fantastic performance,” St Abban’s AC said.
“Everyone at the club understands the sacrifice and dedication involved in competing in the pinnacle of Cross Country running in Europe.
“We commend Cheryl and her support team for everything she has achieved this year.
“Both herself and Mary are outstanding role models for athletes throughout the county and we look forward to seeing them both racing next weekend in the Laois Senior Cross Country Championships.”
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