Letterkenny Athletic Club’s ‘Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure’ New Mills 10K was run in fine autumnal weather on Sunday morning. The race attracted 159 runners, of which more than a quarter were from the host club.
First across the line was Eoghain McGinley in an excellent time of 33.05. This was new recruit Eoghain’s first victory in the black/amber and, in his current form, it promises to be the first of many.
The next finisher was LAC man, Danny Mooney. The renowned 1500m track runner came home in 33.53. In form Pauric Breslin ran 34.39 and Karol Duggan 35.12. Sean McFadden clocked 35.43 and, after the race, expressed his delight and satisfaction at being back in the 35s. Sean’s time saw him take 1st prize in the M40 category.
Liam Doherty had an excellent time of 36.36, which gave him 2nd prize in the M40 category. He was closely followed by 1st woman, Catriona Jennings, on 36.37. Club captain Raymond Birch finished in 36.48. Fionnuala Diver ran 37.52 which gave her 2nd prize in the senior women’s category.
Mark Diver ran 39.35, closely followed by Paul McFadden on 39.37. Noeleen Scanlan took the 3rd senior women’s prize. It was Noeleen’s first ever 10K and she was delighted to have achieved her pre race target of sub 40 minutes. Just behind Noeleen were Paul Cosgrove on 39.51 and Martin Devenney, who clocked 39.52. Paul took first place in the M50 category, to add to the plethora of prizes he has picked up since entering the M50 age group 5 months ago.
A group of 4 LAC runners- Jane Toner and 3 M40s, Aidan McKenna, Kevin Ferry and Seamus Morrison- all came home in sub 42 minutes. Irene McFadden finished in 42.01. John Hughes, 2nd M40, John McFadden and Kevin Kiely, 1st M60, all clocked times of just under 43.10.
Maria Ni Mhaolagain, normally renowned for her prowess as a 200m sprinter, clocked 43.17. Siobhan Gallagher and Paul Lee both finished inside 44 minutes.
Adrian Callaghan, complete with baby in pram, ran 44.23 with Frank Pinder running 45.09. Fionnuala Larkin clocked 45.20, Catherine McKinkey 45.40 and M60 runner Richard Raymond 45.54. Catherine’s time saw her finish in 1st place in the W40 category. Shauna McGeehan finished inside 46 minutes and Marian Kerr was under 47 minutes.
With the Triathlon season over, Cathal Roarty can now concentrate on running and he clocked 48.05. Peter Gallagher was just behind on 48.07. Sharon Black crossed the line in 48.25 and Margaret Shiels in 48.26. Ben George finished in 49.27 and Ciaran Liddy, Naoise Enright, Niamh McDaid, Brian McMonagle and Philip Connolly all finished in sub 52 minutes.
Eimear Roche finished in 53.08 and Bambi Doherty and Patricia McKenna were both under 57 minutes.
The 10K was deemed to have been a major success and a feature of the race was the large number of LAC runners picking up prizes. As usual, Brendan McDaid was a very efficient Race Director and had the full results available in astonishingly quick time. Thanks are also due to Brendan’s hard working team, to Neilly McDaid and his very hard working group of stewards, to the Red Cross and to An Garda Siochana. Letterkenny Athletic Club is very grateful to Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure for the generous race sponsorship. Thanks, also, to Mary Crawford, who was at the race and who works for ‘Right Angle’, the company who deal with Public Relations for Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure.
The club would like to offer best wishes to athletes competing in Sunday’s Dublin Marathon.
LAC’s former Chairman, Michael Galvin, organised a General Knowledge quiz on Friday night for ‘Mary’s Meals’ charity. The quiz was won by a team of LAC runners, Richard Raymond, Hugh Gallagher, Brian McMonagle, Sean McFadden and the club’s new Chairman, ubiquitous Dan King, who has been a visible presence at many venues as support to LAC competitors of all ages.
Hugh Gallagher.
Letterkenny AC PRO.
