Longford’s Robin Óg Murphy wins English race walks title

Longford race walker Robin Óg Murphy recorded a very notable win on Sunday when claiming victory in the Under-20 3000m at the English Indoor Championships. 

A superb performance by 16-year-old Robin Óg at the English Institute of Sport track in Sheffield saw her take the win in a new personal best time of 14:38 to impressively open her indoor season. 

Her younger sister Molly also performed very well with a third-place finish, setting a personal best too in the process, in the Under-15 1000m walk.

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Both girls were among a 30-strong group of Irish race walkers that travelled over to the event with many enjoying podium place finishes across the different age categories. 

The group are all members of the Rob Heffernan Race Walking Academy. This initiative has in recent years led to an increase in juvenile race walks participation nationally and has begun to see its athletes achieve success at international competition.

There was also indoor track action in Dublin last Wednesday evening with the Track and Field Live meet taking place at the National Indoor Arena. Fiona Gettings and Ashley Ryan both clocked good times in the mile while Cian McPhillips opened his season with a swift 1:17 when winning the 600m.

Also read: Two talented young Longford athletes claim national titles

On Thursday last, cross country running returned to Lough Key Forest Park for the first time in a number of years. The North Connacht Schools event saw five County Longford schools represented. Among those qualifying towards February’s Connacht finals were Moyne CS pupils Emma Brennan and Sophia Smith as well as Rian McCaffrey of St. Mel’s College.

The same venue will again host cross country action on Sunday next, January 26, when the Moylurg Open is held. There will be children and adult races held with further information and entry details available at the Tribal Running Facebook page.