Athletics: Majestic Kevin Mulcaire forges clear at Tramore Valley Park

Reigning Munster and Irish Schools senior cross-country champion Kevin Mulcaire eased his way to a comfortable victory at the GloHealth Munster Schools which took place over a demanding course at Tramore Valley Park on the Kinsale Road.

After two slow opening laps, the St Flannan’s, Ennis, athlete picked up the pace and with a lap to go had opened up an eight-second gap over South Munster champion David Fox (CBC, Cork).

In his now-familiar fashion, Mulcaire suddenly discarded his hat and gloves and was on his way, eventually crossing the line to win with by a margin of 15 seconds over Fox. Fearghal Curtin (Midleton CBS), last year’s intermediate champion, continued his return to form with a strong finish to take third.

“It was a nice course and I felt good,” said Mulcaire.

“I’m in the middle of an easy week of training at the moment and will run the international road race in Armagh next week before the Irish Schools on March 5.”

Fiona Everard of MICC, Dunmanway, continued her impressive early-season form when adding the senior race to the South Munster title of two weeks ago.

Staying with Aisling Kelly (Spanish Point) for the first lap, the Enniskeane athlete then moved up a gear to come home a clear winner.

Current Irish Schools champion Rhona Pierce (St Angela’s), who is getting back after injury, moved through to take the silver, just a second ahead of Kelly.

As they did in the recent South Munsters, Charlie O’Donovan (Coláiste Chríost Rí) and Darragh McElhinney (Coláiste Pobail Bheanntrai) dominated the intermediate race with O’Donovan again proving the stronger to take the title by a half-minute from last year’s Irish junior champion.

Another to impress was Tamzin Muldowney in the intermediate race.

The St Mary’s, Midleton, athlete made her move going out on the second lap to finish well clear of Claire Rafter (Ursuline, Thurles) and Sasha Brent (Tarbert Community School).