Gerry Brady

12 July, 2014

Junior Women: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/sets/72157645710543413/
Junior Men: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/sets/72157645659575892/
Senior Women: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/sets/72157645617042166/
Senior Men: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/sets/72157645617886076/

Disappointment for Senior Women in Europeans

The 13th European Mountain Running Championships were held in Gap France on an up and down course. The lap of 4.1 km was undulating with recovery patches on both the climb and descent. The event attracted an entry of 220 athletes from 26 countries. Ireland’s hopes lay with the senior women but unfortunately Kate Cronin (Raheny Shamrock) was unable to overcome tight back muscles and did not start. Sarah Mulligan (DSD) was in around 11th position on the climb on the first of two laps. Michelle McGee (DSD) and Sarah McCormack Clonliffe Harriers) were not far behind time wise. Up front Andrea Mayr (AUT), who mostly only runs uphill races, was opening a winning gap on the climb. Mateja Kosovelj (SLO) had a solid race to win the silver medal from Sabine Rainer (AUT). As the race progressed McCormack came through the field to be first Irish finisher in 17th with Mulligan 21 seconds back in 20th and McGee having an exceptional debut in mountain running in 33rd place one minute behind Mulligan. The Italians came through the field to win the team from Great Britain and Austria with Ireland 7th of 17 teams. This was our highest placing ever and six points less would have secured 5th.

The junior women’s race started proceedings and Turkish runner Bahar Atalay built up a good lead but a spirited finish by Georgia Malir (GBR) saw her come through for the victory. International Youth Cup winner Burcu Subatan (TUR) won bronze. Turkey won the team from Great Britain and France. Aoife Mulroy (Swinford) led the Irish team home in 34th position ahead of Eileen Rafter (Tullamore) and Niamh O’Connor (Edenderry). The Irish team finished 9th.

Turkey generally win the junior men’s event but Dominik Sadlo (CZE) tracked two Turkish runners for the first lap before pulling away on the climb for a much deserved victory. Italy packed solidly to win the team from the Czech Republic and Turkey. Killian Mooney (DSD) led the Irish team home in 23rd followed by David Mulhare (Portlaoise AC) who had an excellent debut in 33rd and Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe) in 44th. The Irish team placed tenth.

The senior men had three laps and a group ran the climb together. On the descent Bernard Dematteis (ITA) broke away for a lead he held to the finish. Robbie Simpson (GBR) came through for silver and at times he threatened to take gold. Twin Martin Dematteis (ITA) took the bronze medal. The Irish runners packed solidly with Tom Hogan (SBR) coming through on the last lap to finish 30th and just ahead of Brian MacMahon (Clonliffe) and Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham). Mark Ryan (Rathfarnham) faded a little as the race progressed and was fourth finisher in 44th. The Irish team finished 10th.

Junior women (4.2 km/ 250m, 39 finishers): 1. Georgia Malir (GBR) 22:10; 2. Bahar Atalay (TUR) 22:20; 3. Burcu Subatan (TUR) 22:42; 34. Aoife Mulroy (Swinford AC) 25:21; 38. Eileen Rafter (Tullamore Harriers) 29:30; 39. Niamh O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers) 39:18

Junior women team (9 teams): 1. Turkey (2,3,9) 14; 2. Great Britain (1,7,21) 29; 3. France (8,14,15) 37; . Ireland (34,38,39) 111

Junior men (8.1 km/ 500m, 44 finishers): 1. Dominik Sadlo (CZE) 37:23; 2. Ferhat Bozkurt (TUR) 37:42; 3. Ramazan Karagoz (TUR) 38:19; 23. Killian Mooney (Dundrum South Dublin) 41:44; 33. David Mulhare (Portlaoise AC) 42:53; 44. Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) 48:36

Junior men team (11 teams): 1. Italy (5,6,9) 20; 2. Czech Republic (1,11,12) 24; 3. Turkey (2,3,21) 26; 10. Ireland (23,33,44) 100

Senior women (8.1 km/ 500m, 66 finishers): 1. Andrea Mayr (AUT) 39:43; 2. Mateja Kosovelj (SLO) 40:53; 3. Sabine Reiner (AUT) 41:03; 17. Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers) 44:12; 20. Sarah Mulligan (Dundrum South Dublin) 44:33; 33. Michelle McGee (Dundrum South Dublin) 45:35

Senior women team (17 teams): 1. Italy (4,7,9) 20; 2. Great Britain (6,12,13) 31; 3. Austria (1,3,32) 36; 7. Ireland (17,20,33) 70

Senior men (12.8 km/ 750m, 62 finishers): 1. Bernard Dematteis (ITA) 56:10; 2. Robbie Simpson (GBR) 56:19; 3. Martin Dematteis (ITA) 56:32; 30. Tom Hogan (Sliabh Buidhe Rovers) 1:02:24; 32. Brian MacMahon (Clonliffe Harriers) 1:02:39; 36. Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham) 1:03:10; 44. Mark Ryan (Rathfarnham) 1:04:21

Senior men team (14 teams): 1. Italy (1,3,7) 11; 2. Great Britain (2,10,15) 27; 3. France (30,32,36) 98; 10. Ireland (30,32,36) 98