CATHAL McLAUGHLIN

CATHAL SHINES ON DERRY CITY TRACK CLUB DEBUT
Cathal McLaughlin had the honour of being the first athlete to represent Derry City Track Club in open competition since the club's affiliation was accepted by Athletics NI.  And he did not disappoint with fine seventh place finish in the NI Master’s trials at QUB Playing Fields. That means he will now lead the province's M45 squad when they compete against the four other home countries at the British & Irish Cross Country Championships in Cardiff next month.

Cathal coming through the field in the later stages

The latest international recognition will cap an extraordinary year for Cathal who set an Irish Indoor M45 record for 1500 metres Indoors back in February.  He broke that again when he was sixth in the European Masters' in San Sebastian in March.  He took two silver medals at the National outdoor championships in Tullamore.

"It's been a pleasure working with Cathal this year," said his coach Mal McCausland. "We've only really been putting down the foundations for the past year.  Cathal will have a bit of downtime after his trip to Cardiff when he will just concentrate on his training.  I know that he is going to be even better in 2014 and I'm looking forward already to seeing him compete indoors in January."

Keith Shiels and Cathy McCourt were the impressive winners of the respective trials.  Shiels dominated the men’s race throughout and was able to coast to an easy 26 seconds victory over Eamon White with Paul Rowan returning from an absence of several years to take third spot.  McCourt left it late in the women’s race to overhaul long-term leader Denise Toner before going on to win by nine seconds.  Next master across the line was Julie Butler in fourth place overall. For full results click here http://www.nirunning.co.uk/2013NIMAAXC%20Races.xlsx