From a small corner of South Down, nestled at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, it’s only natural that local runners don’t fear a hill or two. After all, with an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as their back garden, it comes as no surprise that, as Northern Irish and Irish mountain running selection committees sift through results and trials, a Newcastle AC runner regularly earns a place on the team.
The 2026 season has already proven to be the most successful to date for these local athletes across the island. No fewer than six senior athletes, along with three of the club’s rising junior stars, have been selected to represent Northern Ireland and Ireland in the upcoming mountain running season.
Their selections will see them compete on an international stage, with events spanning across England, Italy, France, and Slovenia—an exciting opportunity to showcase both their talent and the strength of running in the Mournes.
Áine Gosling is no stranger to the international vest. The inspirational PE teacher from Castlewellan is widely regarded as one of the leading female mountain runners in County Down. A consistent race winner and podium finisher across hill, trail and mountain events, she is also a shining example to the junior squad of Newcastle AC, whom she coaches on the hills each Monday evening.
Aine Gosling
Among her recent standout achievements are victory at the Wicklow Way Half Marathon in 2025 and being crowned “Queen of the Glens.” This season, Áine will travel with the Irish Mountain Running Squad to Slovenia, where she will compete in the Uphill race at the European Off-Road Running Championships, after her outstanding run at Powerscourt in Wicklow, last month.
Alongside Áine on the same team is Zak Hanna, a well-recognised name within the Irish mountain running scene. He recently topped the podium at the Irish trials at Powerscourt Uphill Race, Wicklow in March. His strength, consistency and fearless approach have earned him a reputation for excelling on the steepest climbs across Europe.
The recent rise to the top of a long mountain and the return back down has been a quiet one for Patrick McDaid. Although he first pulled on a Northern Ireland vest as a junior representative, he struggled to deliver the performance he needed when it mattered most at the Irish trials — until this year.
His win at the Irish Trials over the Long course at Powerscourt Spring, just 8 days after finishing 3rd in the Wicklow Way Half, showed that he fully deserved his first Irish international call up to represent Ireland at the European Off Road Championships in June.
In addition to being selected for the IMRA team heading to races in France and leading the team in Slovenia, Patrick will also travel to Italy to compete for Team Ireland at the Youth Sky Running World Championships as an Under‑23 athlete.
Patrick also selflessly dedicated his time to supporting the up and coming junior mountain runners at the club and proving to them that hard work does pay off with even the club’s U13 National Cross Country Champion, Harry McVeigh aspiring to be like Patrick.
The call up to wearing the white and green singlet of NI has also come to Senior runners Ethan McMullan and Sam McNeilly.
Ethan McMullan has been building an impressive international résumé. With his climbing power, endurance and growing experience in demanding mountain races, he is quickly establishing himself as one to watch in Irish mountain and skyrunning circles.
Ethan McMullan
A lifelong member of the club, Ethan has also excelled locally, winning the Mill Hill Mile for the past two years among other standout performances. Now competing at U23 level, he will represent Northern Ireland at the 2026 Inter Counties at Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales in May.
Sam McNeilly has developed into a versatile and accomplished athlete, excelling in both mountain running and orienteering. Her combination of endurance, climbing ability and navigation skills makes her a standout competitor on both steep trails and complex courses.
A committed club member, Sam has achieved strong results in local and national events, from challenging mountain races to championship orienteering competitions. She displays a unique blend of speed, strategy and stamina suited to any terrain or challenge. Her performances have earned her selection for this year’s NIMRA alongside Ethan.
Ashley Crutchley
Ashley Crutchley continues to progress at both national and international level. He has previously represented Northern Ireland at the Snowdon International Mountain Race in 2024, demonstrating his ability to compete against high-calibre opposition. He has also earned inter-counties selection at U23 level, reflecting his consistency and development within the sport. This season he has focused more on endurance mountain running, being selected to compete in the Senior Home International 53km trail race in the Lake District for Northern Ireland, marking a significant step up in distance and further highlighting his progression as an endurance athlete at senior level.
Domestically, Ashley has secured notable victories, including winning the Glenariffe Mountain Run, the demanding Granite Peaks 25k in 2025 and regularly features among the leading athletes in the competitive Hill and Dale series. He is proving as one to watch both locally and internationally going forward.
Following in the footsteps of the Senior members, the Juniors in the club continue to aspire to the same level and embrace the challenges of the terrain before them. Recently, the U16 squad had three junior members called up to represent Northern Ireland. All born in 2011, this is the first time that this age group has been eligible to compete at this level. While earning an international vest at just 14 or 15 might feel like an overwhelming responsibility for some, these young athletes have embraced the honour wholeheartedly. Remarkably, just two days after the gruelling trials, they were back at training—up in the hills, tackling the trails and forests they love, fuelled by enthusiasm and passion for the sport. Supported and inspired by their mountain coaches and the guidance of senior international athletes, they continue to grow in both confidence and capability.
Parisa Susay- Quinn
Mary Houston
Donal McDaid
Looking up to the achievements of those in the Senior ranks, the Junior squad works tirelessly to match the standards set by club members who proudly wear the international vest. This year, three juniors have been selected to represent Northern Ireland in June: Mary Houston, Parisa Susay-Quinn, and Donal McDaid, who will travel to England to compete in Edale, Emgland at the Inter Counties.
Their selection marks not only a personal milestone for each athlete, but also an exciting progression for this younger age category—one that is meeting the challenge with determination, pride and a love for the landscapes in which they train
It was said to one athlete before his IMRA race recently, “Ah look, it’s the Newcastle ones coming to take our prizes.” Although the remark was clearly made in jest—and as it happened, both podium spots were indeed won by Newcastle AC runners, it highlights a much bigger truth. The club now has such a deep pool of talented athletes competing for international selection that the sight of the red and yellow vest has become instantly associated with excellence in hill and mountain running.
This recognition is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of what can happen when young people grow up surrounded by, connected to and encouraged to make the most of the incredible natural resources around them. Living among rolling hills, training on the rugged terrain that demands resilience and sharpens skill and being part of a supportive and ambitious club environment all contribute to shaping athletes whose journeys can and often do lead from local slopes to international acclaim as we have seen with our Seniors.