Mulvey rewarded for his bravery
The race became an enthralling contest between a seven-man group after halfway and when Mulvey made a break with three kilometres left he appeared to have the title in the bag.
But Christie gave chase, grabbed the lead and Mulvey found himself struggling in third position as Lonergan challenged and had to dig deep.
“During the week I talked to Seamus Power and then I thought of Seamus’ brother, Dermot, and his untimely death a few weeks ago and I told myself I just could not give it up. It gave me strength,” said Mulvey.
At that point the 21-year-old Mullingar man was racing for home, chased by Lonergan.
“Suddenly I found the strength again. I closed the gap and once I got in front I was not going to be passed.
My training was not what it should have been in the weeks leading up to the race. I had been busy at College. But he admitted to being delighted with the silver medal: “I had not expected this coming here today.”
The early part of the race was dominated by Mulvey and Peter Matthews, a three-time winner of the title. They shared the lead at the head of a group that included Paul McNamara (Athenry), Gary Thornton (Galway City Harriers), Killian Lonergan and Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe and Joe McAlister (St Malachy’s) a former college mate of Mulvey at Iona College.
Christie joined the group, Thornton was dropped and the race for the title took on a new dimension with three kilometres remaining when Mulvey, who had made several attempts to get clear, finally got daylight between himself and the group.
Christie gave chase and when he surged into the lead Lonergan pushed past Mulvey. But Mulvey’s last gasp effort stole the show.
“I was happy to see that line,” the 27 year old Raheny Shamrock admitted. Mulvey will now consider the world championships in Japan in April. He will compete in Ballycotton next Sunday and plans a half marathon in October or November before another attempt at the marathon.
Maria McCambridge (DSD), with three silver medals to her credit, finally grabbed gold with an emphatic victory over former champion Rosemary Ryan (Bilboa). She then declared she will definitely go to the world cross-country championships in Fukuoka and will contest the 3,000m at the world indoor championships in Moscow in three weeks time.
Rosemary Ryan was thrilled with her silver medal after putting a miserable 2005 behind her.
“I probably needed another race or two,” she admitted.
“But, after all the injury, I am happy. I can now get ready for the track season.”
Maria McCambridge was always going to be the one to beat and when the race came down to a head to head the Limerick athlete’s overall strength and fitness was going to decide it.
“I have waited so long for this,” she said. “I think I enjoyed every step.
But it was a difficult race and Rosemary is so experienced that I did not feel I had it won until I crossed the line.” Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers) will be joining her in Japan because he travelled south to Santry with qualification for the world championships on his mind and, once he slipped clear of a pack that included talented Leevale man Ciaran O Lionaird, Brendan O’Neill (DSD) and Daire Bermingham (Raheny Shamrock) victory was never in doubt.
Rory Chesser (Ennis Track Club) put in a storming finish to claim the silver medal, with Eoin Healy (DSD) third.
Sarah Treacy (Moynalvey AC), whose mother Siobhan won three Dublin titles over the course, was a very impressive winner of the junior women’s title.
The 16-year-old, who has also won equestrian titles, plays hockey for her school and plays ladies football, outpaced the defending champion, Roseanne Galligan (Newbridge AC) over the last 500m metres.
The senior men’s inter-club title went to Clonliffe Harriers, eight points clear of Raheny Shamrock and all the remaining titles went to Dundrum South Dublin for a second successive year.
And, last year’s champions, claimed the bronze team medals in both junior races at the European championships this season.
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