On Friday the 8th of November 2024, hordes of athletes returned to the beautiful South Campus of Maynooth University to participate in this year’s road relays. With a new course debut, excitement was running high as athletes warmed up along the tarmac covered by fallen golden leaves. MUAC’s turnout was monumental this year, a sea of teal and black graced the field with a whopping 2 women’s and 4 men’s teams competing!

At 12:45pm the gun went BANG, setting the ladies out to battle. MUAC’s A team consisted of Hadley Wilkins, Sarah Bateson, Charlotte Leman, and Nora Gostner, running in that order. Every single one produced a fantastic effort, finishing in 21st place.

Following closely behind was our B team with Megan Casey, Wiktoria Weinert, Estelle Simon and Emili Kasalovic stepping up to the plate. Once again, these ladies produced a monument effort, finishing in 24th place.

An hour later the men’s race began. The sound of runners hitting the ground was akin to a stampede! Our men’s A team were hot out the blocks with Kevin McGrath ripping around the course positioning our men in 1st following the initial change over. Lee Duddy, Ryan Quinn, Johan Bueja and Sean Reilly finnished off the job producing a final position of 18th.

Our men’s B team, made up of Finn McKeown, Ronan McGinley, Dylan Hanratty, Stephen Rosney, and Michael Salami tore up the track, all putting in fantastic efforts to finish in 32nd place.

Our men’s C team were not far behind with Adam Kubiciel, Orann Poole, Liam Galligan, Hugolin Mugnier and a helpful TUS athlete storming through in 34th place.

Finally, our men’s D team rounded off MUAC’s fantastic performance at this year’s event. Robert Higgins, Adam Berry, Gavin O’Reilly, Max Croash, and Antonis Constantinou got the job done finishing in 35th place.

We are proud to announce that we will be hosting @hersport.ie for a “Women In Sports” talk on Monday the 9th of December 6pm, in the TSI building room 126!!

This event is open to all MU students, the only thing you have to do is fill out the expression of interest form: https://tr.ee/e9Bg5an8Hf 

This talk will discuss the menstrual cycle, and all the things women should know about their health. It will highlight ways to learn about your body and how to train in a way that's right for you. Finally, it will emphasise the history and importance of female athletes and their impact on the world.

This talk is open to everyone regardless of gender! It is so important that everyone is familiar with this type of information, to be able to support our teammates is what makes a good sport <3 So come on down and learn something new about yourself, a way to enhance and smash your training goals. 

- INVERVARSITY CROSS COUNTRY ROUND UP -

 On Saturday 19th October 2024 6 brave Maynooth athletes journeyed down to the south to The Farm, Ballinaspig More in Co. Cork.

Sarah Bateson, Charlotte Leman, and Estelle Simon were among the 80 women battling it out in the 5k? A flat, dry course provided for an unbelievable performance by all 3 ladies. You’ve done us proud! 

Ryan Quinn, Hugolin Mugnier and Adam Berry put up a tough battle in a field of 121 men! 8k cross country style is no easy feat but our all our men braved through the field and completed the course all with unbelievable times 

We are so proud of our athletes and cannot wait to see them back in action on Friday November 8th at the Road Relays!! (hosted by us)

ENTRIES OPEN FOR THE BEST EVENT OF THE YEAR? (not biased ?)

The time has come for our home turf race, Road Relays! An event Maynooth University have proudly hosted since 1987 on South Campus. 

This year’s road relays will take place on Friday 8th of November. The races are scheduled to begin at 12:45pm (TBC)

The competition consists of two races: the women’s and men’s relay. We can enter multiple teams per category so anyone interested should sign up!

The women’s race is broken down into 4 legs as follows; 1 mile - 2 mile - 2 mile - 1 mile. 

The men’s race has 5 legs; 1 mile - 2 mile - 3 mile - 2 mile - 1 mile.

This is a fun event on campus and a great way to make new friends. It is aimed at all levels and we would love to have as many teams as possible

Please sign up through the google form linked in our bio and can also be found in the groupchat on WhatsApp

FORM DUE NEXT WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER SO BE QUICK!

Everyone competing MUST OWN A SINGLET, we will be doing a gear order soon so please check the form for this also in our bio

This is a great event every year that is so much fun to partake in, even to watch! So if you are about campus on the day and not competing please come out and show support for your fellow athletes 

Welcome back everyone! Here are the training times for this academic year. Our social runs start from outside the Phoenix Building, and the track sessions take place in Le Chéile track at the Leixlip Amenities. Hope to see you all there :)

1. President: The President serves as the chief decision-maker in the athletics club, responsible for overseeing all club operations and representing the club at many university and external events. They set the strategic direction, lead committee meetings, and ensure the club's objectives are met. The President also plays a key role in resolving conflicts, supporting other committee members, and maintaining the club's public outreach, development, and growth. 

2. Vice-President: The Vice-President assists the President in all their duties and stands in for them in their absence. This role often includes coordinating internal committee activities, helping to manage club projects, and ensuring smooth communication among committee members. The Vice-President may also take on special assignments or lead initiatives and projects like club development, outreach, and inclusion, working alongside the President. 

3. Secretary: The Secretary is responsible for the administration of the club. This role involves scheduling and minuting meetings, handling club correspondence, and maintaining all club records. The Secretary is also in charge of managing membership records, venue bookings, transfer arrangements and ensuring compliance with club policies. 

4. Treasurer: The Treasurer manages the club's finances, including budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting. They are responsible for collecting members payments, paying bills, and co-ordinating fundraising activities. The Treasurer ensures that all financial practices comply with university guidelines and are transparent, as well as liaising with the club bank account signatories. 

5. Women's Captain: The Women's Captain leads and represents the female members of the club. This role involves organising athlete development opportunities alongside the Men's Captain, selecting teams for intervarsities, distributing club gear, and fostering a supportive environment for all female athletes. They also work closely with the coaches to address the needs of athletes and advocate for inclusion and outreach as well as social opportunities from members from campus runs to training camps. 

6. Men's Captain: Like the Women's Captain, Men's Captain leads and represents the male members of the club. They work on team selection, and competition participation for male athletes as well as co-ordinating gear distribution and assisting their fellow captain with intervarsity competitions preparation. They work to ensure that all male athletes receive appropriate support and opportunities within the club. 

7. Public Relations Officer: The Public Relations Officer manages the club’s internal and external communications. This includes promoting the club on social media (Instagram, TikTok etc.), handling news articles, stories and updates and organising photography and promotion. The PRO also helps organise event promotions through posters and graphics and outreach to groups within campus life is encouraged. 

8. Events Officer: The Events Officer is responsible for planning, organising, and executing all club events, including fundraisers, social nights, talks/workshops and domestic or international trips. This role involves coordinating with other committee members, securing venues, managing event budgets, getting sponsors and suppliers, communications and promotions as well as ensuring that events run smoothly and successfully, and members get involved and are included. 

9. Kit Officer: The Kit Officer is responsible for managing and organizing all gear and merch for the club. This role involves maintaining an inventory of all items, ensuring that equipment is in good condition, and managing the distribution and collection of kits to and from athletes. The Kit Officer also coordinates the purchasing of new equipment and kit items as needed, often working with suppliers to negotiate prices and arrange deliveries. They communicate with members on gear orders, designs and new concepts and products to add to the merch collection. 

At the recent Intervarsity Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the club's athletes had a great showing across a wide variety of events. Featuring colleges from across the country, MU's team members put forth commendable performances in various disciplines.

We'd like to congratulate everyone who competed, secured new PBs and broke club records and also special recognition to Robert Higgins who picked up 1st place in the Weight for Distance as well as a 3rd place in Hammer and Discus - altogether a gold and two bronze from the Championships. Another superb performance was made by the formidable Kevin McGrath who clinched 1st place in the outdoor 800m title to pick another gold to join his win in the indoor 1500m earlier in the year.

Overall, a team of 25 athletes and supporters travelled down to Belfast enjoying a 2 day championships, great support and time together as well as a fantastic awards banquet evening on Saturday to complete the weekend.

The Athletics Club celebrated notable successes at the 30th Annual Clubs and Socs Awards held at Johnstown Estate on Monday, 22nd April. The club secured a Bronze in the Best Club Award, highlighting its vibrant community and impactful presence on campus, while individuals from the club also excelled, garnering various accolades.

Robert Higgins won Silver as Best Athlete, demonstrating exceptional skill and leadership, and Sarah Bateson earned a Bronze for Best Club Executive, recognized for her exceptional management of the club. Additionally, Kevin McGrath shone by winning Gold in the Best First-Year Athlete category, marking a promising start to his collegiate athletic career. These accolades reflect the club's dedication to excellence and the dynamic spirit of its members.

Craig Duffy at University of Rochester Alumni Invitational on Sunday 7th, opening outdoor season 100m- 1st place across 8heats. 11.00 0.9m/s wind and a regional qualifying time 200m- 1st place 8th heats, 22.07 1.4 m/s wind

Well done to Emily Bradshaw in her debut half marathon in Berlin this morning clocking 2.29.04. Half marathons aren't no easy feat  so big probs to Emily and onto the next one :)

Congratulations to Daniel placing 5th in the Dublin 10k championships this Sunday morning of the 7th coming in at 35.37.

Our brave distance runners took on the last race of the mucky cross country season. On Saturday the 9th of March both Daniel O'Brien, and Johan Bugeja ran a fantastic 8k and made MU Athletics proud as always. Well done to these two lads travelling up To Belfast and performing their best!

Some of our athletes braved Hell and Back... and survived! From conquering obstacles to creating memories, yesterday saw our athletes take on the run at Killruddery estate in Wicklow with laughter and determination :)

Our lovely distance runs took on the muck and came away with great results! Truly a great way to kickstart the cross country season

Just last weekend our athletes competed at the Senior Indoor National Championships. While all athletes had great performances an honorable mention must go to Robert Higgins who took home a bronze medal in weight for Distance!

Our own MU Athlete Craig Duffy (studying abroad in Brockport) runs 21.84 at the BU Valentines Invitational in Boston. This time would see him smash the Maynooth Record next year! 

Massive well done to all our athletes over the weekend. We came home with two gold medals, and one silver, all hard fought by Kevin McGrath, Robert Higgins, and Cressida Amaniampong. Five MU Records were also broken at the Championships by Sarah Bateson, Kevin, Cressida, and Robert. Many athletes had their indoor debut, with some of our athletes running PB's! Conor and I could not be more proud of the team this year and we are looking forward to more successful championships like these. Thank you to everyone for their support both in person and online through the livestream.