October University of Galway athletes win big at Cross Country All-Ireland Intervarsity Championships

University of Galway has celebrated remarkable student athlete success taking home three titles, including the Overall Team award, at the Cross Country All-Ireland Intervarsity Championships.

It is the first time since 1988 that the University’s Athletics Club has won the top prize for overall performance at the competition.

The Cross Country success was led by Fiona Everard, who was crowned the Female Individual Champion for the second year, followed by the Men’s Team of 21 athletes who took the honours in their category, helping to secure the Overall Team honours.

Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at University of Galway, said: “It is great to see the University of Galway Athletics club winning so many events at the Irish Universities Athletics Association Cross Country Championships. Since I arrived I am really impressed with the coaching, commitment, community, member numbers and the culture of the club. It is great to see the club winning national titles and having such high numbers participating. I am delighted that University of Galway has such a strong athletics club that develops high performing individuals and supports many of our students to be active. I am looking forward to seeing this club in the west of Ireland go from strength to strength over the coming years. It is the perfect place for young athletes in the University of Galway catchment to excel in their studies and in their sport. Special thanks to coach Matt Lockett and Club Captain Jack Maher.”

The All-Ireland Intervarsity Cross Country Championships took place at the UCC Sports Grounds at the weekend.

The Women’s Team of 13 athletes placed fourth overall, narrowly missing out on a medal. It included Fiona Everard along with first year student Caitlin Hughes, who made her debut for University of Galway, placing 12^th, and Shauna Leydon and Neasa Ní Ainifein also placed high, coming in 23^rd and 26^th respectively.

The Men’s Team of 21 athletes dominated their competition, beating the nearest challengers (University of Limerick) by 45 points to take home the Fox Trophy. The team was led by Thomas McStay, who placed 4th overall in the men’s race. Oisin Murray followed in 6^th, with Oisin Davis in 9^th. Daniel Ryan Eilis made his debut for University of Galway, placing 12^th. He was closely followed by Donal Farren and Luke Johnston who placed 13^th and 14^th respectively. 

Feargal O’Callaghan, High Performance Lead at University of Galway, said: “We at University of Galway are very lucky to have such a talented group of athletes in our distance group and they are superbly led by coach Matt Lockett. It was fantastic to see Fiona Everard at the front once again and great to see her supported by a strong female team. While it was great to see the men win the team trophy, it was the winning of the combined trophy that really put the icing on the cake. I am looking forward to seeing the team perform in the University Road Relays in a few weeks.”

Jack Maher, University of Galway Athletics Club Captain, said: “To have three big wins on the day - Fiona Everard individual, Men's Team, and Overall Team - was remarkable. It was a history-making day for the club, winning the overall title for only the second time, the first being in 1988. It was a spectacular team performance with both teams showing great talent at the front of the race and backing it up with huge squad depth. This is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication put in by coach Matt Lockett and the whole squad to get the University of Galway distance team to become one of the best in the country. With plenty of young talent featuring on the team, we hope to keep the club here for years to come."

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