PICTURES: NER organise Dundalk parkrun dedicated to O'Connor family

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All photos by North East Runners AC

It was a busy and emotional weekend for North East Runners AC, beginning with a special event in partnership with Dundalk parkrun on Saturday, 11th October, at the DKIT pitches.

This particular parkrun was dedicated to the O’Connor family, who were much-loved regulars - running, walking, and volunteering week after week.

A total of 221 participants took part, supported by a large team of volunteers from both Dundalk parkrun and North East Runners AC. After the run, everyone gathered to enjoy a generous spread of treats, tea, and coffee.

Mark O’Connor’s impressive medal collection was proudly displayed, along with family photos placed around the course for runners and walkers to admire as they made their way around the 5km track.

North East Runners AC Chairman, Rory Mulholland, delivered heartfelt words capturing the impact Mark had on all who knew him.

Rory spoke fondly of Mark’s devotion to his family and his simple post-run routines - such as collecting a Friday evening takeaway after his weekly “figure of 8” run at the college, a route familiar to so many in the club.

“Mark was a popular running companion for many,” Rory said, “always genuinely interested in how everyone’s training was going.”

He encouraged everyone to dedicate their run to Louise, Evan, and Mark, celebrating their kindness, joy, and the many happy memories they brought to the community.

A minute’s applause was held for the O’Connor family before Run Director Aisling Byrne blew the whistle to start the 5km event.

Gold for North East Runners at Louth Novice Cross Country

On Sunday, the focus shifted to Darver, where all Louth Athletics clubs gathered for the second cross-country event of the winter season.

North East Runners AC fielded strong teams in the Novice races - a 3km course for the women and 6km for the men. The women’s race was first to go, with North East Runners targeting team silverware.

Leading the charge were Zoe Nevin and newcomer Alanna Rice, both showing great strength across the challenging course. Close behind came Barbara Muckian and Patricia Mulholland, keeping the team well placed in the standings.

At the front of the field, Molly Rath (Dunleer AC) took gold, followed by Annie McGuinness (Glenmore AC) and Sophie Kinsella (Drogheda & District) in silver and bronze. The team competition was fiercely contested, with Dunleer AC hot on North East Runners’ heels.

In the end, it was debutant Jacinta McNally, the fifth NER athlete home, who made the decisive difference - holding off two Dunleer runners to secure team gold for North East Runners by a single point. Susan Cunningham also delivered a strong performance to round off the team’s effort.

North East Runners AC claimed the Louth Novice title for 2025, made all the sweeter by such a narrow and hard-fought victory.
Before the start of the men’s race, a minute’s silence was held in memory of Mark O’Connor and his family.

Inspired to honour his memory - and to match the women’s success - the men’s team of Sodiq Oyewole, Fergal O’Callaghan, Patrick Kieran, and Shane Fennell took to the 6km course.

Sodiq went out strongly with the leaders, but Matthew Fitzpatrick (Dunleer AC) proved unbeatable, claiming first place.

The battle for silver was intense, with Fergal O’Callaghan showing tremendous determination to pull away from Darren Carrie (Dunleer AC) and finish second in his first-ever cross country race.

Solid performances from Patrick Kieran (10th), Sodiq Oyewole (11th), and Shane Fennell (22nd) secured second place for North East Runners in the team standings - an impressive finish against tough competition.

Looking ahead

All eyes now turn to the Dublin City Marathon at the end of the month, followed by the Senior Cross Country Championships the week after, where the black and white vests of North East Runners AC will once again be on show.

For anyone interested in joining, training with North East Runners AC continues on Tuesday evenings, meeting in St. Helena’s Park at 6:15pm for beginners and 7:00pm for advanced runners.

Find the club on Facebook at North East Runners AC Dundalk or on Instagram at @northeastrunners_dundalk for training updates and club news.