Letterkenny Athletic Club Notes



Letterkenny Athletic Club runners were in action on St Patrick’s Day in 4 different venues in 3 different counties. Letterkenny AC’s annual St Patrick Day’s 5K went through the town in temperatures more associated with Christmas Day than St Patrick’s Day. It was 1-2-3 for LAC, with Danny Mooney first across the line in 16.31. Eoghain McGinley was just behind in 16.37 followed by Pauric Breslin in 16.46.
Raymond Birch clocked 17.50 and Ciaran McGonagle’s time of 18.01 saw him take first place in the M40 category. Gerard McGranaghan’s time was 18.21. Paul Toner was 2nd in the M40 category in 19.22. Gerry McGonagle showed that he has made a very good recovery from a serious accident by winning the M50 category in 20.04. The 2nd runner in the M50s was Barry Mackey, with a time of 20.13. Michael Galvin finished in 20.24 and Liam Ferry in 20.40. Peter Gallagher clocked 21.29 and John Hughes 21.30.
Monica McGranaghan was the first woman home in 21.30. Naoise Enright clocked 21.46, John McFadden 21.48, Darren Beecroft 21.56 and Ciaran Liddy 22.10.
Marie Boyle crossed the line in 22.21 and Niamh McDaid in 22.25, making it 1-2-3 for LAC in the women’s race as well as the men’s. Michael Kelly finished in 22.30 and Martin Temple in 22.44. Richard Raymond’s successful period in the M60 category continued when he won the age group in 22.50. His fellow LAC M60s, Brian McBride and Brian Gallagher, clocked 24.21 and 24.55 respectively.
Pat McKenna was the 2nd F40 runner in 25.13. Ellie-May Temple was the leading Female Junior in 28.50. Hard working coach, Teresa McDaid, finished in 32.47.
Letterkenny AC is grateful to all those people who gave freely of their time to help make the race safe and successful. The club also appreciates the generous sponsorship from Voodoo Venue.
Paul McFadden had a superb run  in the St Patrick’s Day 5K in Strabane. He was 2nd in the Senior Men’s category in a time of 17.52. Martin Devenney’s time was 18.31 and he was 5th in the Senior Men’s category. The race winner was Lifford Strabane AC’s Alan McGinley in 16.22.
Patrick Brennan had an excellent run on Saturday in his native Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. On a tough, hilly course and in cold, windy conditions, he crossed the line in the St Patrick’s Day 10K in  a time of 38.32. This gave Patrick a top 20 finish in a very competitive race, which was won by John Travers of Donore Harriers in 31.36. Hugh Gallagher’s time was 51.56. Teresa Doherty of Finn Valley AC was an impressive winner of the women’s race in 35.48.
Regular Letterkenny 5K  parkrun competitor,  Paul Lee, was the first LAC finisher in Saturday’s event. He was 3rd overall and the leading M50 runner in 21.42. This was Paul’s 32nd outing in the Letterkenny parkrun. Young Alex Plumb was the first JM10 runner in 22.15. Noel Lynch’s time was 23.50. Peter McLean clocked 26.31 as his Letterkenny parkrun total hit the 70 mark.
Noreen McGettigan ran a time of  1.43.37 for the very tough Carlingford Half Marathon last Sunday. Much of the route was off road.
Letterkenny AC’s annual Easter Sunday races will take place on Sunday April 1st. Runners have a choice of 2 distances, on a fast, flat and accurate course. The ‘Fun Run and Walk’ is over 3K or 5K. The entry fee for the 5K is €8 and has a generous prize list. The 3K entry fee is €5 and a large number of spot prizes are on offer. The event starts at 11.30am and entries will be taken in Diver’s Hyundai Garage, Canal Road from 10.30am. The club appreciates the generous sponsorship of the event provided by Harte Insurance.
The winning numbers in the LAC Mini Lotto draw on March 15th were 1, 3, 9, 10. There were no Match 4 winners. 1 Match 3 winner- John Daly- won €80.
                                Hugh Gallagher.
                           Letterkenny AC PRO.


Related