Cotter on European stage
DUNLEER AC’s Tomás Cotter takes a massive step forward in his successful athletic career when he takes to the start line at the European Athletic championships on Wednesday.
Competing in the 3,000m steeplechase event Tomás takes on Europe’s best in the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.
Tomás’s selection comes after a career best of 8:37 last May, placing him sixth in the Irish all time performance list for his event.
Coached by Dunleer AC’s chairman David Carrie, Tomás has progressed across a wide range of middle distance events and was the only Irish competitor to break the 4-minute mile barrier when he ran 3:58.50 at the Morton Games in Santry (Dublin).
A number of Dunleer AC members are travelling to the Dutch capital to support Tomás as he represents his country while other members will be glued to their television screens.
On home soil, this Sunday sees the staging of the annual Dunleer 4-mile road race at 3.00pm. Starting and finishing on Main Street the race attracts athletes from across the region.
This year sees the welcome return to four time world cross country medallist to Dunleer, Catherina McKiernan.
Catherina has a long association with the area, running and winning he annual Rás na hÉireann cross country race. Catherina is equally at home on the road, is the reigning Irish record holder for the marathon in a time that remains within the European all-time top 10 performances.
The athletes will compete for the Seán Carrie and Ollie Breannan Memorial Cups for men and women. The race route goes from Main street, out the Dundalk Road to Cappogue, turns left to Mooremount, left again onto the Ardee Road before entering Main Street again for the last 200m to the finish.
The current course records are held by Tomás Cotter (2015 - 19:31) and Fiona Roche (2013 - 22:17) and both these records are expected to be threatened his year. In addition to cash prizes for winning the race there are cash bonuses for new records. There are generous prizes for the usual race categories sponsored by Pats Gift Shop, Dunleer and team prizes for the best club teams in the men’s and women’s categories.
The race could not be held with the help and support of local businesses and the club is extremely grateful for their support. In addition to the aforementioned sponsors the club would like to thank DuPrint, Bradley’s Pharmacy, Dunleer Post Office, Paul McKeown Barber, McGoey’s Pharmacy, Darby’s, Larry Hand & Sons and Michael Mulligan.
The race committee also welcome the support of the local Gardai and the Dunleer Tidy Towns representatives. Immediately before the start of the race a minute’s silence will be observed for former club member Gerard Wogan and for local photographer Mick Slevin, a long-time friend of Dunleer AC.
All walkers, joggers and runners are most welcome to the event. Entries on line €15 www. athleticsireland.ie or on the day €20 at Dunleer Pavilion. Traffic Restrictions may apply on the day.
Meanwhile, Dunleer girls Erinn Leavy and Vanessa Brennan struck gold at last weekend’s all Ireland championships in Tullamore.
Running in a competition where the placings are based on the combined scores of the two runners Vanessa and Erinn took on the cream of Ireland in the Under 11 600m event.
This is the second year that the girls have won national titles and it is just reward for the efforts they both put into training. Coincidentially the girls are grand-daughters of Ollie Brennan, who this week’s Dunleer 4-mile road race commemorates.
In the U9 age group Dáire Mathews and Jamie O’Brien also qualified through the provincial tests for last Sunday’s national finals.
Both young men prepared well for the event and acquitted themselves well on the day, finishing a fine sixth position.
They will benefit greatly from this experience and we look forward to future success from these talented athletes.