Callum Barron (Kilkenny City Harriers AC) and Dearbhla Cox (Annadale Striders) were winners of the day’s national novice titles at the 123.ie National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships which took place at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin (December 7th).
Both athletes produced decisive performances in challenging underfoot conditions, breaking away from their closest rivals in the closing stages to secure memorable wins.
Despite losing one of his spikes during the men’s novice race, Barron powered clear of the field over the final lap to claim victory over the 6,000m route in a time of 20:48.
Speaking after the race, Barron said, “I’m over the moon. It’s been a good season, but to finish it off here with the win is unbelievable. I decided to just go for it today when I felt strong, and when I started to move away from them, I said I’d see how long I could keep it going.
“I like a bit of muck on the course, it reminded me of Gowran a few years ago, so it played right into my hands. Niamh and Noel Richardson are my coaches, and I can’t ask for any better. It’s great to see all the training pay off today.”
Stephen Lyster crossed in second for Lagan Valley AC, edging Mahad Mohamed Egaal (Clonliffe Harriers AC) for silver on his way to leading Lagan Valley to the team title.
The women’s race proved ultra-competitive, with podium positions wide open until the final stages. Dearbhla Cox (Annadale Striders) made her decisive move with 500m to go, overtaking 2019 European U23 bronze medallist Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry), who held on for silver on her return to national competition.
Cox crossed the line in 15:39 over the 4,000m route and said, “I definitely wasn’t expecting that. I was a bit in shock when I was in the leading pack, but I put the head down and focused on my own race. It was tough going out there, but a new experience for me and I enjoyed it. It was my third cross country ever and I was only talked into it to make up the team, so it might entice me to do a few more!”
Alex Murphy claimed bronze in 15:59, leading Dundrum South Dublin AC to the women’s team title.
There were a host of notable performances across today’s uneven age races including wins in the U19 race for Caolan McFadden (Cranford AC) who signs off his preparations for next weekend’s European cross country in Portugal with a win, while Freya Woodhead added to the success of Lagan Valley on the day, taking gold in the girl’s U19 race.
Westport’s Freya Renton completed another cross country double, adding the U17 title to the U16 gold secured in Derry with another dominant front-running display. Tullamore’s Ally Duffy ran a huge race to follow Renton across in second, with Madison Welby (City of Lisburn AC) kicking hard over the final 100 meters to take third. The U17 boy’s race was a much more competitive affair with Donore’s Callum Twomey eventually breaking away from Riley Connolly (St. Michael’s AC) and Evan Tosh (Ballymena and Antrim AC) to take gold.
Sinéad Fitzpatrick (St. Abbans AC) secured the U14/U15 double, while Darragh Whelan (Limerick AC) completed a double of his own, adding the U15 gold to his U16 win in Derry. Grace Foley (Sligo AC) and Harry McVeigh (Newcastle and District AC) were hugely impressive in taking the U13 titles.
Today’s 12-race schedule got underway during a break in the rain with the U11 girl’s race going the way of Sadhbh Callan (Foyle Valley) who also claimed the U12 title two weeks previous, Luke Nevin (Ferrybank AC) impressed in the boy’s race to take gold.
With the 2025 national cross country season now complete, attention turns to Lagoa as Irish athletes take to competition at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal on Sunday December 14th.
Full Novice results are available HERE while Provisional Juvenile Uneven Age results can be found HERE.
