Delight for DDAC as athletes strike gold
MONTHS of hard training and self denial finally paid off for a handful of DDAC track stars at the National Masters Championships held at the Tullamore track in Offaly.
Kieran McGrath forced the pace right from the gun in his 800m race and was relentless in his pursuit of the gold medal as he held good form to cross the line in a very fast 1.58.72 and claim the national title.
Brian Pentony ran a new pb of 2.12.4 when finishing 5th in his 800m event.
In the Women’s 800m, Pamela Howard ran 2.27 when finishing 6th and will go even faster as the season progresses.
There were some good performances in the 400m races with Brian Pentony 4th in 59.38, Gerry O’Connor 6th in 60.21. Hugh O’Reilly had a fine run to get 5th place in his 400m in a fast 57.62. Roisin Coade and Andrea McCabe both finished 6th in their 400m event.
Pat O’Grady, who’s worked hard to overcome injury made it all worthwhile when his run of 17.11 in the 5000m earned him the much cherished gold medal.
O’Grady attempted the double later in the day in the 1500m but had to be content with 4th place on this occasion when running 4.54. Also running at this distance was Kevin Clancy who finished 5th in 4.44.
Robbie Maher went close but not close enough as he finished 4th in his 1500m in a fine 4.34 while David Walsh was 5th in his 1500m race in a fast 4.19.
Mary Leech, one of DDAC’s leading female runners, put all her hard work to good effect when winning her 3000m race in a new pb time of 10.27. Later in the day, Leech produced another fine performance to finish 3rd in her 1500m event in 4.58.17.
Erin McHugh raced well in her 1500m and was 6th in 5.01.6, while Ciara O’Reilly ran a good race to finish 7th in 5.21.4. Frank Cruise did a double of sorts as he was 2nd in his 100m in 13.52 and later in the day ran 29.19 to get the bronze medal in the 200m. Roisin Coade finished well to earn a bronze medal in her 200m race in 29.41.
A wet and windy Achill Island greeted three DDAC members last Saturday when they made the long journey west to take part in the annual Half Marathon.
Cool temperatures and a hilly course weren’t the only things the runners had to contend with and Nuala Reilly had to fend off some sheep who strayed onto the course as she ran a fine 1.43 to win her category.
Joy Tegert was the next DDAC finisher running a solid 2.06 with Julie Halton further back in 2.12.
Closer to home, Colin Leonard ran a fine 1.29.20 when finishing 29th in last Saturday’s Clontarf Half Marathon.
Also taking part was Brian Guilfoyle who ran 1.40.07 when finishing 211th.
In the shorter 5-mile event run on the same day, Lisa Martin led home Nicolai Hodgins and Anne Marie Kierans and all three finished in 51.25. Geraldine Reilly ran 1.03.36.
Elsewhere, the clubs of the county came together to take part in the National League over two rounds to try and qualify for the league final in August.
Athletes from Drogheda and District took part recently and competed well with the men topping their pool while the women are in third place.
Sprinters Charlie Abako and Lee McGuinness played their part with Abako finishing 3rd in the 100m in 12.57 and McGuinness placing 2nd in the 200m in 23.70. In the Women’s 200m Blathnaid Donnelly was 4th in 29.07.
Young James Nolan produced the goods when it mattered by finishing 2nd in the 800m in a fast 2.01.82 with Orla O’Connor also 2nd in her race in 2.19.46.
Mary Leech put her experience to good use and secured valuable points when finishing 2nd in her 3000m race in a lively 10.32. David Walsh won the 3000m steeplechase in 11.20.
Last Friday’s St. Cocas 5k road race attracted a large entry of quality runners anxious to test themselves on a flat and fast course.
Getting away to a good start is so important as the course quickly narrows into country lanes, and the ‘Pocket Rocket’ Shane Larkin let loose right from the gun and stormed round the course in an eye-watering pb time of 16.54.
Francis Murray and Paddy Murphy pushed the pace together with Murray getting the nod in 18.53, Murphy’s 18.55 earned him a 3rd in category prize. Also running well were Suzanne McCabe who ran 23.43 for the course and Barney Flannery who’s coming back to form ran 24.37.
Marathon man Gerard Fay dropped down in distance when running 47.23 at the Clonee 10k last Thursday evening.
Jim Nolan, who’s racing a lot these days finished 69th at last Wednesday’s BHAA Trail Race in the Phoenix Park. Nolan ran a decent 22.22 and will go faster when he eases up on his racing schedule.
It wouldn’t be Saturday without the Oldbridge Parkrun and taking part in last Saturday’s event was Stephen Geraghty who raced round the course in a new pb time of 20.59 when finishing 7th. Declan McMahon was next in 26th place in 22.41 with Mike Staunton 38th in 24.38, a new pb time. Mary Toner was first female finisher in 61st place in 27.26 with Lorraine McGuirk 66th in 28.37. Also running were Jos Haak and Theresa Woods who was taking part in her first Parkrun.