Golden great! Barron brings national title back to Kilkenny

Callum Barron (Kilkenny City Harriers AC) and Dearbhla Cox (Annadale Striders) were winners of today’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.

Both athletes produced decisive performances in challenging underfoot conditions, breaking away from their closest rivals in the closing stages to secure memorable wins.

Men’s Novice Race

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.

"I’m over the moon," Barron said after the race. "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," he added. "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.

Women’s Novice Race

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 under-23 bronze medallist Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry), who held on for silver on her return to national competition.

Cox completed the 4000m route in a winning time of 15:39. Speaking after the race she 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 a win in the under-19 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 girls' under-19 race.

Westport’s Freya Renton completed another cross country double, adding the under-17 title to the under-16 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 metres to take third. The under-17 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 under-14/under-15 double, while Darragh Whelan (Limerick AC) completed a double of his own, adding the under-15 gold to his under-16 win in Derry. Grace Foley (Sligo AC) and Harry McVeigh (Newcastle and District AC) were hugely impressive in taking the under-13 titles.

The 12-race schedule got underway during a break in the rain with the under-11 girls' 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 boys' 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 14.