FIONA Everard’s rise in recent years has been inspiring to watch.
Back in 2022, the Enniskeane woman raced to Irish novice cross-country gold. One year later, she caused a stir by winning the national senior cross-country title – it’s not the norm to jump from novice to senior and win the biggest prize.
Less than two weeks ago, the Bandon AC runner (27) powered to her second national senior cross-country gold in three years with a stirring come-from-behind win in Derry. It proved her 2023 triumph was no flash in the pan, as Everard has stitched together notable successes to strengthen her credentials.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘It’s nice to know I’ve got to a place where I can put my name in the hat for a win and be competitive,’ Everard says.
‘I have to remind myself that a few years ago I would never have dreamed of being in this position, that I’m in contention and winning these races. A few years ago all I wanted was to have a chance.
‘It’s something I need to remind myself of because it’s very easy to get caught up in races, and when you achieve something you get a bit greedy and want more.’
Another indicator of Everard’s rise is that she will compete in her third successive European Cross-Country Championships when the 2025 edition takes place in Lagoa, Portugal, on Sunday, December 14th.
Joining the West Cork woman on the senior women’s team are Niamh Allen (Leevale AC), Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers), Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise AC), and Emily Haggard-Kearney (North Belfast Harriers).
‘Individually, I’d love to give a performance that does justice to my training,’ Everard says.
‘I feel sometimes at those champs the training hasn’t translated into the races, so if I can run a race that does justice to the work that has been done, I’d be happy with that.’
There is a strong West Cork influence on the Athletics Ireland squad heading to Lagoa, as Darragh McElhinney is on the senior men’s team alongside Irish champion Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC), Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers), Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers), and Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers).
Also, Ballinascarthy’s Laura Nicholson, running for Bandon AC, is on the mixed relay team with Eimear Maher (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC), and Cian McPhillips (UCD AC). It’s another highlight for Nicholson in her best season yet, as she made her senior major championship debut in the women’s 1500m at the Worlds in Tokyo, as well as winning her first Irish senior national title, also in the 1500m.
