Kilkenny's Cathal O'Reilly on hand to launch National Cross Country championships in Gowran

Irish athletics fans will descend upon Kilkenny this Sunday for what promises to be a stellar weekend of athletics action as Ireland’s best cross-country athletes go in search of national glory and European selection at the 123.ie National Senior, Junior and Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships.

It will be the first time the senior cross country championships have been hosted in Gowran and those coveted podium places will be as sought-after as ever with the first three home in each of the senior, U23, and U20 races securing their place on the Irish team set to compete at the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels, Belgium on December 10.

It looks ultra-competitive across the full schedule of competition and the 2023 edition of the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships could throw up some surprises with athletes in both the senior men’s and women’s races taking on the 9,000m distance.

Darragh McElhinney (UCD AC) returns to defend his title in a stacked looking senior men’s race (2.30pm) which includes Irish 5,000m record holder Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock) who will be one of McElhinney’s main challengers.

A new champion will be crowned in the senior women’s race (1.45pm) in the absence of 2022 champion Sarah Healy. Many eyes will be on West Limerick’s Íde Nic Dhómhnaill who will look to add another title to her remarkable season which has already seen her win a national gold on the track in the 5,000m as well as claiming victory at the recent Autumn Open International Cross Country at the Sport Ireland Campus. 

There will be no shortage of support for the local athletes with Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Aoibhe Richardson (Kilkenny City Harriers) set to be among the leading contenders for senior honours, while Cathal Oreilly (Kilkenny City Harriers) is expected to challenge for the top three places in the U23 race.