Results and Report The inaugural ‘Monarch of Breffni Duathlon’ sponsored by ‘Right Price Rentals’ took place from Gallonray House, Maudabawn on Saturday 22nd October. The event hosted the elite of Irish men’s triathlon and multi-event sports as Irish internationals Dessie Duffy, Conor McCarey and Irish Ironman record-holder Liam Dolan (Setanta Tri-club) faced off in the elite event category. Also in the field, Kieran Cosgove, recent winner in the Achill Roar Open was poised to push for a fast time together with Conal McBride, both keen to challenge the medal placings.
Liam Dolan powers to ‘Monarch of Breffni’ title
The pedigree of the race was realised in an impressive example of front-running which saw Dolan, recently returned from the World Triathlon Championships in Winconsin, settle into the pace of the race over the ‘sprint 2k’ opening leg. At T1, he was placed 7th, and behind his three main title contenders, Cosgrove, Duffy and McCarey. Dolan’s ‘bike pedigree’ began to show as he reeled in his rivals over the opening 14k lap, and as he passed the start/finish line for lap 2, had opened up a reasonable lead from the chasing group. In the slippery conditions, Kieran Cosgrove had crashed out and the chasing group was now led by a strong DessieDuffy.
Race leader Dolan pressed ahead, inching further away from the chasing field and completing the 28km bike, into T2, and off for the final 3.5k undulating run. No time to take in the scenic benefits of the banks of the Annalee, the Setanta Tri-club athlete consolidated his lead in the final leg to record an impressive course record time of 1 hour 7 minutes and 34 seconds for the overall 33.5k distance.
The winner was chased home by local favourites Dessie Duffy, 2011 winner of the Cavan Kayakarun in silver medal position (1h 11m 02s) and Conor McCarey (1h 16m 28s) who edged out Conal McBride to secure bronze by just 2 seconds. The premium field of athletes registered eight finishers in under 1 hour 20 minutes for the challenging course in less than ideal weather conditions.
Heery impresses in the ‘Open’
In the Open event category, Killian Heery displayed good multi-discipline form to finish clear of the field in a promising time of 1hr 16m 42s to claim category gold. Paddy Connolly rallied over the final 3.5km run to secure silver with Barry Kerr securing bronze, one minute and twenty seconds behind the second place athlete.
O’Rourke and Rogers ‘Master’ their rivals
The performance of the day was arguably delivered by Paul O’Rourke in the Masters 1 category, who recorded an impressive time of 1hr 11m 27s, to cross the finish line as third athlete home and win the M1 event category by some six minutes, ahead of local athlete Philip Smith (1h 17m 42s) and Franky Wright taking bronze (1hr 22m 16s) just in front of local triathlete Michael Fitzpatrick.
In the Masters 2 category, Knockbride’s John Joe Rogers posted an impressive 1hr 17m 54s to secure gold in the event category ahead of Maudabawn native Brian Reynolds who celebrated his birthday by taking silver in his new event category.
The Junior (under 18) category saw Brian Campion post a strong return (1hr 22m 42s) to secure the junior title ahead of Annalee AC’s Aodhan Watters.
Leddy Leads the Ladies home
The womens event was dominated by an impressive Nicola Leddy, who returned a time of 1hr 26m 40s, 12 minutes ahead of her closest rival, and in doing so, secured gold in the Masters 1 category. Category silver was won by Maureen Getty, just ahead of bronze medal winner Carmel McCabe and Kathleen Connors in fourth place.
In the Open category, Joanne Rogers made it a Rogers double, taking gold, with Arlene O’Brien and Holly Lattimer battling it out for silver and bronze respectively. Lynn Farrelly secured gold in the Elite category while Helen Murray covered the 33.5km distance to ensure a category win in the Masters 2 event.
The Breffni Duathlon Challenge coincided with an 8km ‘Healthy Heart’ walk, led by local walk-leader Roseanna Clarke, in the scenic drumlin heartland of Maudabawn. Meanwhile, back at Gallonray, music raised the tempo, despite the prevailing weather while the overall performance of the high calibre field of 100 athletes sets the theme for the future of this event, looking forward to 2012.
Commenting on the event after his impressive win, the ‘Irish Ironman’ Liam Dolan said:
‘This was an excellent race, very well organised & superb marshalls who despite being drowned had a big cheer for every racer. I am honoured to be part of the inaugural Breffni Duathlon’.
Race Director Mary McMullen expressed her appreciation to the athletes, marshalls and all club members, who gave of their time to ensure that the event went to plan and to schedule.
Benny Mc Intyre, joint Drumgoon Eire Og club chairman, who hosted the event thanked the event’s title sponsors ‘Right Price Rentals,’ who’s support ensured that the Breffni Duathlon could happen. He also expressed the Club’s appreciation of Gallonray House for hosting the Event.