Lots of activity on local athletics front

TWO popular road events dominate the North Cork athletics front over the next two weekends.

Duhallow AC co-ordinate a 5km Road Race to be hosted in conjunction with Banteer Family Show on Sunday at 12.30pm. Twelve months ago, Millstreet native Martina Kiely (St. Finbarrs) a comfortable victor, previous winners include Tim O’Connnor (Riocht), Michael Harty (East Cork). Cathal O’Connell (St. Finbarrs) and former Limerick marathon winner George Waugh secured outright victory on the return of the Banteer race during the summer of 2011.

The ladies are sure to be well represented, Kiely and Newmarket’s Joanne McAulliffe delivered highly impressive performances in the past to follow in the footsteps of the Finn sisters that includes Michelle, who finished a creditable seventh position at the European Athletic Championships and looking ahead to the Rio Olympics.

Meanwhile, Donoughmore Athletic Club stage their 34th annual seven mile Road Race on Friday, July 22 commencing at 8pm.

A bumper entry is expected for the popular hosting regarded as amongst the top ten races in the country.

The Donoughmore 7 attraction has fully established itself on the mid summer calendar and attracting local, national and international athletes with attractive prizes adding to the prestige of the event including the Jim Bradley Memorial Perpetual Trophy to the outright winner in the mens category.

Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) underlined his credentials to win last season to follow previous winners Gavin Sweeney (Togher), Seán McGrath (East Cork), international marathon runner Alan O’Shea, Cillian O’Leary from Raheny Shamrocks and Cathal O’Connell (St Finbarrs).

For a time Rhonda Lynch dominated the ladies, completing a three in a row followed by Helen Leonard (Rathfarnham), Claire Gibbons, Gillian Cotter, Niamh Cronin (St. Finbarrs) and the defending holder of the TJ Forde Memorial Trophy is Maggie Kanak from Bucks County Road Runner who had little bother on fending off the field.

The walk is scheduled for 7pm followed by an attractive fun run for children at 7.30pm before the premier race is scheduled to commence at 8pm.

Gneeveguilla AC continue their popular one-mile road races on Wednesday nights during the month of July with stagings either side of the county bounds.

The past saw the series occupy four venues either side of the county bounds but that’s increased to include a new race in Ballydesmond on Wednesday, July 20, Ballydesmond, 8pm, sign on at Bobs Bar and Wednesday, July 27, Gneeveguilla GAA Grounds, 8pm.

Further information from Tom Joe O’Donoghue at 064-7756309 or 087-9339087.