Harriers duo prepare for European championships

Two Tullamore Harriers athletes are preparing to represent Ireland in the upcoming European Cross Country Championships.

Danielle Donegan and Laura Mooney are set to wear the Irish singlet with pride on Sunday week, December 12 in the Sports Ireland Campus at Abbotstown.

Danielle was an automatic selection on the U-23 team following her super performance recently weekend at the National Cross Country Championships, where she finished third overall. Racing for UCD, Danielle is a well deserving member on the Ireland squad.

The U-23 race is held as part of the Senior race and the quality of the field could be seen from the half dozen or so Olympians and European medallists competing.

Danielle got out strongly and after the first kilometre was in the top 30 or so. Over the 8000m distance of the race, she steadily moved her way through the field and finished 18th in the senior race, and was a clear third in the U23 race.

Laura Mooney, who is on a scholarship in Providence College in Rhode Island, has also been showing impressive form recently. Laura raced at the NCAA Women’s Cross Country Championships where she too had a powerful run. Laura was selected on the Ireland U-20 team.

Laura was part of the Providence College women's team that finished 26th overall at the 2021 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida on November 20.

A native of Cappincur, Mooney placed 60th overall in a time of 20:13.1 over the 6K course. Considering that the race had over 250 on the start line and the depth of competition, this was a fantastic result for young Mooney.

Both ladies have been members with Tullamore Harriers from a very young age under the direction of the club’s juvenile coaches Damian Lawlor, Tom Godley and Ann-Marie Cunningham. Both girls have always shown remarkable dedication to their training.

All roads will lead to Abbotstown on December 12 - a proud day for these girls and indeed for Tullamore Harriers AC.