Irish athletes were in action across three meetings on Friday October 9th as the 2026 US collegiate cross country season continued in North Carolina, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
From regional championships to the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, the weekend offered another opportunity for runners to test themselves and contribute to their university teams. Here is how the Irish athletes got on.
Murphy Takes Second at Royals Challenge
Heather Murphy finished second in the women’s Gold 5km at the Royals Cross Country Challenge in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday October 9th.
The St Michael’s AC athlete recorded 17:02.6, finishing just half a second behind winner Madi Clay.
Murphy, who won the NAIA 5000m and 10,000m titles for Montreat College earlier this year, competed unattached. Her placing therefore did not contribute to a university team score. Montreat’s women finished 17th with 430 points.
Matthew O’Shea represented the University of Charleston in the men’s Blue 8km. The Drogheda & District AC athlete finished 31st in 26:49.7 and was Charleston’s second runner home.
O’Shea contributed 27 scoring points as Charleston finished seventh with 160 points. Augusta won the team contest with 30.
Full Royals Cross Country Challenge Results
McCay Helps Providence Claim New England Title
Liam McCay counted among Providence College’s five scorers at the New England Championships in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, on Friday October 9th.
The Finn Valley AC athlete finished 21st in the men’s 8km in 25:29.6. He was the third Providence runner across the line and contributed 21 points.
Providence won with 85 points, just two clear of both Stonehill and Vermont. Stonehill took second in the official standings, with Vermont third. It was Providence’s 27th men’s New England title.
Three Irish Scorers Help Providence Women to Second
Lorraine O’Connor was the first Providence finisher in the women’s 5km at the same meeting. The Clonliffe Harriers athlete placed fourth in 17:41.4.
Pia Langton, of Kilkenny City Harriers, finished 25th in 18:22.5 as Providence’s fourth runner home. Ennis Track AC athlete Gemma Galvin completed the scoring five in 30th, recording 18:30.8.
O’Connor, Langton and Galvin contributed four, 24 and 29 scoring points respectively. Providence finished second with 76 points, behind Boston College on 47 and narrowly ahead of Bryant on 78.
Eimear Cooney was part of the winning Boston College squad. The Ace AC athlete finished 38th in 18:45.3 and was her university’s eighth finisher, placing her outside the five runners whose positions counted towards the team total.
