There were several excellent performances from Letterkenny AC runners at the weekend’s AAI Irish Life Health Senior Track and Field Championships at Morton Stadium, Santry. In Saturday’s 1500m heats, Darren McBrearty gained a place in the final in style when he won his heat in 3.58.04. Darren then turned in a superlative performance 24 hours later. A large TV audience saw Darren come from 4th to 2nd in a stunning finish. Darren picked up the Silver with an excellent time of 3.48.45. His fast finish saw him end up just 1 second behind winner, Donore Harriers’ John Travers. Annmarie McGlynn secured a bronze medal in the 5000m, which comprised a high quality field. Annmarie’s time was 16.26. Ciaran Doherty had a fine run in the tough 3000m Steeplechase event. He was 6th in a time of 9.38.08.
As usual, the Burtonport 5K, on Tuesday, produced fast times. Local man, Ciaran Doherty, was an impressive winner in 15.17. Ivan Toner continued his good form and was 2nd in 16.29. Both Ciaran and Ivan are M40 athletes, which underlines the high standard of Masters’ running in the club and throughout Donegal.
Deirdre Diver was the 3rd Senior Woman in 21.44. The first woman was Rosses AC runner, Helen McCready. She ran 19.04 and completed a family double as she is Ciaran Doherty’s sister. Noreen McGettigan was the 2nd F40 runner in 22.08. M50 runner, Danny Sharkey, clocked 24.51.
The Castlefinn 5K, which was run on Friday evening in memory of Adrian Devine, attracted more than 500 runners. Gerry McMonagle made a welcome return to competitive running and clocked 20.00. Richard Raymond’s successful summer continued and he picked up 3rd prize in the M60 category in 22.47. The race winner was Finn Valley AC’s Dermot McElchar in 16.12.
Liam Doherty was 2nd in Saturday evening’s Tommy McBride 5K, organised by Cranford AC. The race, which traversed the Mulroy Bridge, near Carrigart, had a strong wind which caused problems for runners. However, Liam still produced an excellent time of 18.03. David McMenamin, Inishowen AC, was the race winner.
Letterkenny AC put on another successful race on Sunday, with over 200 runners completing the ‘Danny McDaid 15K’. The leading LAC runner was Karol Duggan, last year’s winner. Karol was 3rd this year but his time was faster than his winning time 12 months earlier. His time was 50.55. The race winner was Mark Long, City of Derry Spartans, in 49.29.
Ciaran McGonagle was 3rd in a highly competitive M40 category in 53.42. Gerard McGranaghan had a fine run and clocked 55.59. Nakita Burke successfully transferred her impressive 5K to the much longer distance and won the women’s race in 56.52. Several other LAC runners crossed the line in sub 60 minutes- Paul Cullen in 58.25, Martin Devenney in 59.21, Darren Price in 59.21 and Kevin McGee in 59.41.
Kevin Kelly clocked 60.38, Mark Nee 65.23, Paul McMonagle 66.56 and Peter Gallagher 66.57. Monica McGranaghan continued her excellent form and she was the 2nd woman in 62.43. Marie Boyle was the 4th woman in 67.17. Paul Lee crossed the line in 67.47, Stephen Shiels in 67.54, Adrian Callaghan in 69.04, Liam Ferry in 70.10, Darren Beecroft in 70.15 and Seamus Morrison in 70.18.
Sheila Regan was the leading F40 runner in 69.34 and Catherine McKinley was 2nd in 70.19. Kevin Greenan’s time of 71.47 gave him 2nd place in the M60 category. Fellow M60 LAC runner, Jimmy McBride, clocked 77.11. Gary Kearns’ time was 78.59. The leading runner in the M70+ category was Brian Gallagher in 79.31. Pat McKenna’s time was 80.53.
Letterkenny Athletic Club would like to thank the large number of individuals and groups who helped make the race a success, including Neily McDaid and the team of hard working Stewards, An Garda Siochana, Red Cross and Shilo Kelly of the Station House Hotel, who presented the prizes.
The club is grateful to The Station House Hotel for their continued and generous sponsorship of the event.
Martin Gormley notched up his 4th consecutive top 3 finish in the Letterkenny parkrun. He was 3rd, and the leading M50 runner, in 19.37. Liam Ferry was 5th in 20.33. Peter McLean completed his 75th Letterkenny parkrun in 26.00. He was the 3rd M55 runner. Young Ronan Burke finished in 36.14. The first runner home was Paul Ferry, competing in the event for the first time, in 18.58.
Hugh Gallagher.
Letterkenny AC PRO.
