For the second consecutive Tuesday, Ciaran Doherty was an impressive winner of a 5K in his native Rosses. He won the Dungloe 5K in 15.27, leaving him 86 seconds clear of the second finisher. M50 runner, Danny Sharkey, clocked 25.10.
Paul McFadden was a convincing winner of Thursday’s Dunlewey 5K. Paul crossed the line in 16.24 in the scenic run, which was part of Feile An Earagail. Paul was 36 seconds clear of his nearest challenger.
The John Kilmartin Memorial 5K, in Milford on Friday evening, was top quality both in terms of times and the superb organisation of the event, with James Gibbons’ experience ensuring an evening of top class athletics. Finn Valley AC’s Gerard Gallagher was the winner in a course record of 15.04. The first Letterkenny AC runner home was in-form Raymond Birch, who clocked 16.08 and who is tantalisingly close to achieving his aim of sub 16 minutes for 5K. Danny Mooney finished in 16.20 and Gerard McGranaghan in 16.55.
Barry Mackey’s superb summer of 5K PBs continued with Barry achieving his first ever sub 18 minute 5K when he crossed the line in 17.58. Barry has now run PBs 5 times, starting with the Glenswilly 5K on June 20th. Barry is now in excellent shape for his track debut, which he will make in Tullamore on 18th August, when he runs in the 5000m in the Irish Masters’ Track and Field Championship. Barry must be in with an excellent chance of a National medal after some of his recent performances.
Monica McGranaghan had another excellent performance and was the 3rd woman overall and first in the F40 category. Monica’s time was 18.51. She was closely followed by Gerry McMonagle, who clocked 18.54 to show that he is getting back to the excellent form he showed before a serious workplace accident 2 years ago. Shauna McGeehan was 3rd in the Senior Women’s race in 19.04. Kieran Coyle clocked 19.17. Kevin Greenan finished in 20.56 to take 2nd prize in the M60 category. The next LAC finisher was also a M60 runner -Richard Raymond’s time was 21.35.
LAC new recruit, Conor Brennan, was the winner of the Dunkineely 10K on Saturday. Conor’s time of 38.16 left him 77 seconds clear of his closest challenger
Hugh Gallagher ran 24.32 in the ‘Streets of Sligo’ 5K on Saturday evening. The 2 lap course around the town centre was the 3rd race in the 2018 Sligo Road Race League. The winner was Sligo based Donore Harrier, John Travers. He was the only runner ahead of Darren McBrearty in the previous week’s 1500m in the National Track Championship. Travers recorded a very fast time of 14.08 in the 5K.
John Hughes was 4th overall and the leading M50 runner in Sunday’s Kilcar Festival 10K. John’s time was 42.56. Declan Gillespie was the race winner in 41.34.
Club coach, Teresa McDaid, is currently in Berlin where she is the Operational Team Manager with the 42 strong Irish team at the European Athletics Championships. Included in the team is 800m runner, Mark English, a Letterkenny native and former LAC runner. The best wishes of LAC go to Teresa and the Irish team.
Club stalwarts, Sean and Irene McFadden and their sons, Ruari and David, will be leaving on August 14th to go to Dubai to live and work for the next 2 years. Sean and Irene have made a huge contribution to the club over the years. Their own running has helped LAC win many team awards. In addition, they have given freely of their time to encourage and to coach many other runners. Everybody at LAC wishes them every success in their new life.
Letterkenny AC wishes to pass on condolences to Myles Gallagher, following the death of his mother, Joan. Myles recently retired from his role as Sports Reporter with Highland Radio. During Myles’ 28 year stint with Highland Radio, he always gave prominence to Donegal Athletics.
Joan Gallagher, R.I.P.
Hugh Gallagher
Letterkenny AC PRO.
