Local runner Meade lights up Banteer 5k as Finn takes ladies title
VERSATILE sportsman Barry Meade justified the favourites tag to capture the Banteer 5km road race last Sunday.
The Banteer native emerged a class apart whose pace was a delight over the two circuits. Howevere John Cronin (West Muskerry) delivered a concerted effort to stem the tide.
“The opening km was pretty fast in the humid conditions. Overall, I felt ok and confident all through. However the field put it up to me for much of a flat course,” said Meade.
Indeed, there was no stopping Meade on finishing with a flourish and enjoy a comfortable 33 seconds advantage from Cronin.
On sampling victory, Meade confirmed his versatility across a range of sports that incorporates cycling and rallying.
Castlemagner native Carol Finn delivered a highly impressive performance to capture the ladies category. The Leevale club representative dictated from the outset with Duhallow pair Niamh Harte and Susan Looney filling the runner up positions.
Thanks were extended to Duhallow AC and Banteer Show for co-ordinating the event and sponsors Tarrants Skoda Dealers. Banteer 5k results
Senior Men: 1 B Meade (Banteer) 17:25, 2 J Cronin (West Muskerry) 17.55;
Junior: 1 A O’Keeffe (Millstreet) 22.11, 2 D Murphy (Millstreet) 22.55, 3 P Burke (Riocht) 24.54. Ladies: (1) C Finn (Leevale) 19.20, (2) N Harte (Banteer) 20.34, (3) S Looney (Duhallow) 22.59.
Road runs in Castlemagner and Donoughmore
ATHLETES turn their attention this week to Castlemagner and Donoughmore with the potential of exciting fare promises in both locations.
Duhallow Athletic Club continue with their summer series of races in Castlemagner on Thursday at 8pm.
This 5km race is a fundraiser for the provision of a running track, starting time is 8pm, the entry fee, €10 per Adult, €5 - Juvenile (Under 17) and €20 for a family.
Looking ahead, the Duhallow series continues in Lombardstown on Thursday, August 17 and a return to Banteer on Thursday, September 21 for the concluding race.
Donoughmore Athletic Club stage their 35th annual seven mile Road Race on this Friday 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.
Michael Corbett (St. Finbarrs) 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, Cathal O’Connell (St Finbarrs) and Mark Hanrahan (Leevale).
For a time Rhonda Lynch dominated the ladies, completing a three in a row followed by Helen Leonard (Rathfarnhan), Gillian Cotter, Niamh Cronin (St. Finbarrs), Maggie Kanak (Bucks County Road Runner) and the defending holder of the TJ Forde Memorial Trophy is Claire Gibbons-McCarthy (Leevale) who had little bother on fending off the field by setting a course record last year.