Carndonagh Show Fields provided the perfect setting for the 2025 Donegal Senior Cross Country Championships, as a bright, crisp autumn sun shone down on a day that will long be remembered by everyone at Letterkenny Athletic Club.
The championships began in spectacular style with the Senior Women’s race, where Letterkenny’s Nakita Burke made a triumphant return to form after a recent injury layoff. In what proved to be one of the most thrilling contests of the day, Burke went head-to-head with Helen McCready of Rosses AC, the pair locked stride for stride across the demanding 4.5-kilometre course.
For much of the race, neither athlete could gain an inch, each responding instantly to the other’s moves. But with 500 metres remaining, Burke showed her trademark grit and experience, surging ahead for the first time. Entering the home straight, she powered clear to claim victory and with it, the 2025 Donegal Senior Women’s Cross Country title. It was a moment of redemption and pride for Burke, proving that persistence and patience in recovery truly pay off.
The men’s race that followed saw Letterkenny AC deliver a performance of pure dominance. From the gun, the club’s leading trio Stephen McAuley, Eoghain McGinley, and Donal Farren seized control and immediately opened a gap on the rest of the field.
Remarkably, none of the three were ever challenged, running shoulder to shoulder for much of the race before McAuley in his first-ever cross-country event broke clear to take a sensational victory. McGinley followed closely in second, with Farren completing the clean sweep in third.
The result not only secured the team title for Letterkenny but also underlined the exceptional depth of talent within the squad. Impressively, McAuley, McGinley, and Michael Black who placed eighth are all in the final stages of training for the Dublin Marathon in just two weeks’ time, proving that top endurance form can shine across any distance.
Backing up the front three, JB McCallion impressed with a strong 6th-place finish stepping up in distance, Michael Black (7th) while Mark McPaul (9th) and John Foley (10th) ensured that seven Letterkenny athletes finished inside the top ten a remarkable achievement. The team’s depth was further strengthened by Dale Corbett and Cian Friel, both placing inside the top 15 after also competing in last week’s Novice Cross Country Championships, showing real consistency and commitment to the club.
Two club men failed to make the finish line. Danny Mooney fell at the first, turning his ankle on the opening lap while club captain Phillip McHugh had to withdraw in the lead up, having taken a tumble and fracturing his hand, while out testing his new xc spikes.
As the sun dipped lower over Carndonagh, it was clear that this was a day to savour a golden afternoon where determination, loyalty, teamwork, and community spirit came together to produce something special. From Nakita’s fearless comeback to Stephen’s debut triumph, the 2025 Donegal Senior Cross Country Championships marked a new chapter of success for Letterkenny AC.
Marty’s Run 5k Memorial Race
On Sunday, 12 October 2025, Letterkenny Athletic Club delivered a strong performances at Marty’s Run 5k, a poignant memorial race hosted by Foyle Valley in Derry to honor the memory of Martin Gallagher.
Leading the charge for the club was Liam Tinney who crossed the line with a season’s best time of 17 minutes and 22 seconds. Just ahead of training partner John Gibbons, who finished in 17:32. Starting on the Glengalliagh Road both men climbed towards the Steelstown roundabout, before taking a left into the Galliagh estate. Matching each other’s pace and discussing an arrayment of agricultural matters, Tinney was surprised by Gibbon’s silence around the 3k mark. Tinney was discussing the price of barley, while Gibbons was digging deep, thinking about how he needed an oatfield’s Glucose barley. The final 2km separated the men by a mere 10 seconds in the end. Proving that Tuesday night sessions and Sunday long runs are serving the pair well.
Liam Doherty completed the challenging course with a time of 22:04. Followed by Brian McBride who delivered an outstanding performance in the M70 category. The veteran athlete recorded a time of 23:28.
Rory Kennedy added to Letterkenny AC’s solid showing with his effort in the M60 division. Kennedy finished in a time of 24:09.
Noelle Lynch capped off a brilliant day for Letterkenny AC with a superb run, smashing her personal best to cross the line in 29:01. Noelle came within touching distance of breaking the 29-minute barrier, an incredible achievement for an athlete who only recently dipped under 30 minutes for the first time. Noelle’s determination, consistency, and ever-growing confidence are truly inspiring, and her continued progress is a testament to the hard work she puts in week after week.
Letterkenny AC win at the Donegal Senior Cross Country Championships was last modified: October 14th, 2025 by Staff Writer
