The weather did not oblige, but there was a big turnout of over 110 particpants in the first ever Dooneen AC 4 mile road race, organised in conjunction with the Limerick City Sports Partnership - Fit4Life series. Well done to Tracey Roche, Rosemary Ryan and the Limerick City Sports Partnership team who did a great job organising the event. Surely this will now become a permanent fixture on the local athletics calender with considerable growth potential. Detailed results are not yet to hand, but West Limerick AC, who supported the race in force took the main honours winning the senior mens and ladies events.
The experienced Dermot Kearns was the first man home, while Liz Hussey winner of the first Great Limerick run earlier this year was the first lady home. Dooneen athletes were not completely out done with Cathal O'Connor making a surprise reappearance, coming home in second place overall and the first junior. Fellow junior, the improving Shane Lynch was home in eigth position and following his fine results in the first two races in Southill and in the Country Club he is the overall junior mens winner. Paul Whelan was first man home for the Dooneen A.C. Fit4Life squad and Catherine Redmond was first Dooneen A.C. Fit4Life lady home.
Some photos of the event have been posted on the Limerick Sports Partnership Facebook site.
Dooneen A.C. athletes results:
Cathal O'Connor 22:10, Shane Lynch 24:22, William O'Dwyer 28:23, Paul Whelan 29:21, Dave Irwin 29:58, John Slattery 30:52, Catherine Redmond 31:33, Mary O'Hora 33:39, Karena O'Mahoney 35:03, Michelle Brennan 35:47, Marcin Bawolski 37:14, Evelyn Harte 37:51, Phil Roche 39:03, Liam O'Hora 39:10, Helen Stapleton 40:47, Kevin O'Connor 44:02.
For full list of results, click here.
Several other Dooneen athletes competed and one to catch the eye included Mary O'Hora who looked very well in the latest addidas summer range and her running was impressive also. Husband Liam O'Hora also participated and looked very flashy in a new high tech outfit from Barcelona, and while with the backmarkers for most of the race, was mysteriously there to greet and encourage all the strugglers at the finish. Also spotted fresh from his fine performance in Kildysert 4 mile was veteran Henry Kiely of Limerick AC who did very well to get up for a top ten finish for a man of his age.
To complete the family affair Tommy, Billy and leading hurdler Lily Ann O'Hora with the help of Shannen Ryan were spotted helping out at the water stations. Phil Roche looked very comfortable throughout also while some other Dooneen members were happy to see others take the glory as they took up a more rear view position. When you are back there its not all about winning, its more about surviving.
Again well done to Tracey, Rosemary the Sports partnership team and all the helpers and supporters who made the night possible and the runners from the various clubs throughout the region who competed. Final race of the series back to familiar territory UL where the race will start at the riverside boarthouse on Thursday 26th August next. |
