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| Linda Byne |
A thrilling final leg saw Rathfarnham WSAF snatch the men’s title from defending champions Raheny Shamrock at the Woodie’s DIY All Ireland Road Relays in Raheny.
Simon Ryan for Raheny and Sean Hehir for Rathfarnham had set out on the final two-mile leg together and they stayed together until the final lung-bursting sprint for the finish, when Hehir – only back from injury – just getting there first. Olympian Thomas Chamney had given Crusaders the early lead, but strong mile times on the second leg by Raheny’s Feidhlim Kelly and the veteran Paul Fleming for Rathfarnham set the tone for the rest of the race. Barry Minnock for Rathfarnham and Raheny’s Kevin Moriarty ran shoulder-to-shoulder for the three-mile leg and then it was left to Hehir and Ryan to battle it out.
Finishing third was a strong squad from Ennis Track Club, while Tallaght was fourth, thanks to a strong three-mile run by Tomas Fitzpatrick. Other clubs represented included Sli Cualann, and a Craughwell team that included the veteran Gerry Ryan running this event for the first time.
In the women’s senior race, Dundrum South Dublin set a new course record of 21 mins 17 secs on their way to victory. Irish marathon champion Linda Byrne took over from Niamh Devlin, running a superb time of 10 mins 33 secs for the two mile leg. Ironically, fellow marathon woman Maria McCambridge ran an identical time in the Letterkenny colours. Bringing DSD home ahead of Clonliffe and Raheny was a very happy Sarah Mulligan.
Retaining both their men women’s over 40 titles were the host club Raheny. First over 50 men’s team was Tallaght.
* St Malachy’s Joe McAlister led home around 2,000 finishers at the Titanic Quarter 10km in Belfast finishing in 30 mins 40 secs. Annadale pair Eddie McGinley and Andrew Agnew second and third. Annadale was first team ahead of North Belfast Harriers.
McAlister had paced the Irish athletes at the Rotterdam Marthon only a week earlier.
Julie Turley of Dromore beat Tullamore’s Pauline Curley to finish first woman in 35 mins 53 secs. Clare Connor of North Belfast Harriers was third.
Ciara Mageean had a useful workout at the Irish Universities Track and Field Championships in Athlone winning both the 800m and 1500m for UCD. Olympic high jumper Deirdre Ryan made a low-key appearance for DCU, winning the high jump, while Claire Bergin, a member of the Irish 4x400m squad, won the 400m. In the women’s discus, Clare Fitzgerald of UCD threw a very useful 51.22. John Coghlan of DCU won the 5000m, while his teammates Barry Pender and Chris Russell won the high jump and 400m respectively. Overall, DCU dominated with 233 points; UL was second on 161, while UCD, despite the trauma of losing their track early this season, managed a battling third on 152 points.
Ultra marathon man extraordinaire Gerry Duffy has signed up for the ARC Men’s Mini Marathon 10km taking place on the Bank Holiday Monday May 7 in Dublin’s Phoenix Park (10am).
Duffy is appealing to runners of all standards to join him not only in helping ARC Cancer Support, but in encouraging men to keep fit and have regular check-ups. Anyone who signs up is guaranteed a well-organised race, with chip timing, lots of goodies and an array of spot prizes.
Fee is €22 or €30 on day; register online at www.arcchallenges.com. Or contact Mairead at 01 8307333.
There’s a big buzz already around the Terenure 5 Mile on Sunday May 13 (11am) – a new name and a new look for the long-established Dublin 5-Mile Classic organised so successfully by the Sportsworld club for 27 years. A re-designed course, based in Terenure College, will take in two loops of the roads near Sportsworld’s base at Bushy Park. Entry is €20 with a guaranteed minimum of €5 from each entry going directly to Special Olympics Eastern Region. Details www.terenure5mile.com.
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| Mick Fennell and Derval O’Rourke. Both will run on the Olympic track! |
Well-known marathon man and Irish master team manager Mick Fennell has won a place in the Powerade-sponsored 100m race that will launch the London 2012 Stadium on May 3.
Fennell had dropped into Santry stadium after leaving his daughter to a party. Persuaded to line out in the 100m trial race, he had a tough time of it, pulling a hamstring after 10 metres, but still making the finish. That meant he was included in the draw for one of four places at the London race next month. “I can’t believe I’ve won. I tried the London 2012 ticket lottery for everything from athletics to swimming but had no luck and now I’ll run in the Olympic stadium. It’ll take me about nine seconds to get out of the blocks but I’m going to enjoy it,” says Mick.
Joining him will be Evan Maguire from Galway, Anna McIlmoyle from Belfast and Dennis O’Sullivan from Cork.
Olympic triathlon hopeful Aileen Morrison finished second at the Ishigaki ITU World Cup in Japan. Morrison’s strong swim put her in the leading group for the cycle and despite a poor start to the 10km run, a strong kick at the finish pulled her into second place in 2 hrs 5 mins 58 secs – two seconds behind winner Kathy Tremblay.
In the men’s race, Gavin Noble did his London 2012 chances no harm by finishing 24th thanks to a strong run.
* Starting next Wednesday in the Phoenix Park is the annual Dublin Duathlon Series. See www.dublintri.com/duathlon.
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