Mulvey confident he can finally land title
Yesterday the Raheny Shamrock runner jogged the 100m from where he lives to run over the course confident that he can finally lift the title that has eluded him for so long.
His previous best placing was third in Monaghan back in 2001. The year before last he won the inter-counties title but his defence last November was tempered by his New York Marathon experience a short time earlier.
Ironically it was that disappointing marathon debut that has changed his whole attitude if not his life. He admits that, on reflection, he was neither mentally nor physically prepared for it.
“And when I saw Mark Carroll standing on the road at 18 miles it had a huge negative affect on me,” he said. “I went into the race expecting to run 2:20 and get the feel of the marathon. I started off with the elite runners and at the gun they were gone and I was left virtually on my own.
“At 20 miles I was still running at 2:18 pace and then the wheels came off.”
It was after that he joined up with Ireland’s marathon man, Dick Hooper, who introduced a whole new dimension to his training - based on more consistent mileage - and a new outlook.
The benefits were reflected in recent performances. He even surprised himself with his performance in the Leinster cross-country championships which were run in conjunction with Celtic U-23 championships.
“I went into the race with 105 miles in my legs that week,” he recalled. “But it was so easy.”
Then Dick’s training manifested itself again in the Raheny 5 miler which he won in a smart 23:29 with Mark Christie underscoring the performance back in second place in 24:15.
Now he can’t wait for more. “I will run Ballycotton on Sunday week and then I will be looking for a fast half marathon in September or October - maybe the BUPA Great North Run - in preparation for a Marathon in March or April,” he said.
But the immediate target is today’s national championships. Mark Kenneally, second to Gary Murray in the same race over the same course last year, will start favourite and his Clonliffe clubmate, in-form Killian Lonergan, will be the threat.
Mulvey, however, could give them all the slip and it would be no surprise if he was to battle this out with Joe McAllister.
Maria McCambridge will be favourite to reclaim the women’s title with defending champion, Jolene Byrne, competing in a road race in Puerto Rico.
Ciaran Ó Lionaird (Leevale) is the one to beat in the junior men’s race while defending champion, Roseanne Galligan, is favourite for the junior women’s title.
