from Munster Express The Dublin City Marathon drew close to 11,000 runners to the capital last Monday including a selection of Kilkenny athletes. The top two performers for the men for the second successive year, Tommy Evans, Gowran and Paul Cody, Kilkenny City Harriers. Tommy finished in 2.33.56 placing him 35th overall, with Paul recording a time of 2.46.09. Niall Lacey came in with a top quality run in 2.51.49 in his first marathon, while Stevie Dermody of KCH completed the run in 3.55.43. Other good runs were recorded by Mike Hyland and Johann Dewberry, KCH, Fergal Foley and Val Gunner, Gowran, and Henry Langton, St Joseph’s. Completing the course, irrespective
of time taken, would be the aim of many.
Athletics Leaders with Kilkenny Fit4Life Club, Irene Henebry and Teresa Daly, had excellent times of 3.43.47 and 3.53.44
respectively. Five other club members also completed the run, Bregeen Murphy and Deirdre Scott, both under 3 hours 50 minutes and Jacinta Horan, Ann Brett and Marie Poyntz just outside the four hours. All these ladies, now members of Kilkenny City Harriers were joined on the run by Sinead Foley, a Harrier with marathon experience on a number of continents. Sinead’s time was 3.49.06.
Lacey Medals in Masters
Once again Larry Lacey from the St Joseph’s club showed his pace and stamina at the Leinster Masters Cross-country in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. Competing in Masters 4 category, Larry set off in determined mood and tracked the leaders all the way round. Leaving many of the younger competitors in his wake he finished third in Master Class 4 and was 21st overall.
The St Joseph’s club with Lar, Michael Power(38th), Bill Doherty (40th) and Rocky Mernagh (51st) were sixth club. The county team which comprised of the runners from the St Joseph’s club and Denis Cormack, Gowran (53rd) were fifth county.
In the Novice races at the same venue Toss Hayes, KCH, in 24th place and Colin Butler, St Senan’s, in 28th , were the best for the men. The standard bearers for the ladies were Maria Murphy, KCH, in 21st place and Veerena Fenlon, St Joseph’s, in 36th .
The Juvenile Squads
The scoring members of the County Kilkenny teams at the Leinster juvenile cross-country championships in Rathdrum were as follows:-
Girls U/12: Rebecca Kennedy, Gowran; Marita Butler and Ailish O’Shea, Thomastown; Margaret Hoynes, St Joseph’s; Aoife Halley and Ailish Connelly, St Senan’s.
Boys U/12: Paul Manning and Darragh O’Connor, St Joseph’s;James Power and Sean Power, Thomastown; Pat Maher, KCH; Ronan Coffey, Aghaviller.
Girls U/14: Rose Kennedy, Gowran; Cliodhna Manning and Sinead McDonough, KCH; Sinead Whelan, Maeve O’Connor and Niamh O’Shea, Thomastown.
Boys U/14: James Maher, KCH; Hugh Morgan, St Senan’s; Tonm Phelan, Castlecomer; Colm Doherety, Aaron Fenlon and Kevin Hennessy, St Joseph’s.
Ballinakill or Bust
Sunday next, 9th November, members of club and county teams make the short trip to Ballinakill, Co Laois for the Leinster Uneven Ages cross-country championships. The vast majority of those who ran in Wicklow last week will be in action again. This time it is the turn on under 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 squads with the under 11 girls taking the gun at twelve noon. All athletes should report to team managers at least one hour before the off so as to have an adequate warm-up and course familiarization. The juvenile races will be followed by the Intermediate Women and Men.
McCarthy in Form
David McCarthy produced another fine run with a third place finish at the Big East championships in Van Cortlandt Park in New York. He covered the 8000m course in 24.25 just 30secs off the winner. The West Waterford athlete has been in great form since moving to Providence and will be a big boost the future Irish cross country teams.
Intercounty in Tramore
The Tramore racecourse will play host to the All Ireland Intercounty cross country championships on Sunday 23rd November with a start time of 12.00am. The full timetable is as follows:
Juveniles 12.00am, Senior Women 13.45, Junior Women 14.25, Junior Men 14.45, Senior Men 15.10.
Winter League
The popular Waterford Road Runners Winter League starts this Thurs 6th Nov and again this year expect huge numbers to take part.
As always safety is the first priority, so do abide by the rules, they are for your own protection and remember no viz vest – no run. Entries are from 6.30pm with the first race off at 7.00pm sharp. It had over 900 registered last year, which makes it one of the most popular running events in the country. Well done to all on a great sporting success. Keep an eye out for Adele’s column in this paper.
Website
Check out www.stsenansac.com for all the latest news, views and photos.
Fixtures Nov/Dec
9th Nov Leinster CC uneven ages & Intermediate, Ballinakill College, Co Laois 12.00am. 16th Nov Co Kilkenny Novice and ‘B’ CC Kilmacow 11.00am
23rd Nov AAI Intercounty and Juvenile (even) CC, Tramore 12.00am
30th Nov Kilkenny County ‘B’ novice and U/7 – U/17 ‘B’ CC, Thomastown.
7th Dec AAI Novice and Juvenile (uneven) CC, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan 12.00am
21st Dec Co Kilkenny Senior CC, Gowran 2.00am
Quoteworthy
“Success come from aspiration, dedication, perspiration and inspiration?” – Evan esar