Harriers ready to race against Europe’s best
Eoin Everard will be one of the proudest men alive when he gets to fly the Kilkenny flag in European competition this weekend.
Everard is one of several athletes from the Kilkenny City Harriers club who will be in cross-country action in Portugal on Sunday.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be representing Ireland at the European Clubs competition,” he said.
“When we won the All-Ireland we were the first team outside Dublin to win it since 1999. It was the first time in our history that we’d won an All-Ireland senior championship so we were absolutely delighted. It’s a great reward for winning that championship.”
Along with clubmates Brian Maher, James Ledingham and Jamie Gahan, Everard will don his spikes for the senior men’s race on Sunday morning. Just getting the chance to do so is a huge reward for years of effort.
“People like Brian Maher have been running for the club for 20 years, as have I,” he said. “We came very close to winning the All-Ireland Championship in the past - we’ve come second and third - so to actually win it with your friends is always something I’ll look back on and be grateful for. Now, to represent Ireland and the club with your friends is a brilliant opportunity.”
The spirit of the club has been vital to their success, with Everard also acknowledging it adds to their longevity.
“It’s just great we have such a good group here, sharing runs,” he said. “A run shared is a run halved, I wouldn’t be still in this sport if it wasn’t for the guys here but when they’re there it’s so much easier to go out running when you know there’s a group there.”
“We always try to support each other, we have a WhatsApp group, you try and not have to run on your own. That support makes a huge difference.”
Everard is no stranger to international competition, but to compete alongside friends and clubmates gives it a whole new dimension.
“It’s definitely up there as one of my best achievements,” he said. “I’ve won five All-Irelands and represented Ireland, but this is definitely right up there. To do it with your friends and for KCH - we’ve been so close over the years - is so special.”