from RTE sports website Sean Connolly of Tallaght Athletic Club won his first national road title leading home a big entry in the Woodie’s DIY National 10km Road Championship in Navan, county Meath.
Connolly and Vnny Mulvey of Raheny Shamrock AC dictated the pace at the front for the first half of the race, before the Tallaght runner went clear and raced to victory in 30 minutes 22 seconds, fourteen seconds clear of Mulvey, who led Raheny to team victory.
Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock AC) placed third in 31.13 ahead of Barry Minnock, (Rathfarnam/WSAF AC), 31.36 and Thomas Fitzpatrick, (Tallaght A.C), 31.37.
‘This is my first time to win a national road championship and I am very pleased with today’s performance,’ Connolly said.
Connolly also led Tallaght AC to silver medal success in the team event. Letterkenny AC, led by tenth-placed finisher Pauric McKinney, took third.
There was a first national road title too for Kerry Harty of Newcastle AC, county Down, who won the women’s race in 34.38.
Harty, who finished 52nd overall, was a clear winner from Caitriona Jennings, (Rafhfarnam/WSAF AC), 35.24, who took the silver medal and Pauline Curley, (Tullamore Harriers) who filled third spot.
Donore Harriers, led by Adrienne Jordan, won the women’s team title from Sportsworld and North Belfast Harriers.
Over 300 runners took part in the event.