Dead heat to Mount Hilary Mountain run
JAMES McInytre chased Barry Murray to a thrilling dead heat finish in the Munster Mountain Hill Running series at Mount Hilary near Banteer.
Newly formed club, Mount Hilary hosted the event and their debutant staging made for compelling viewing in a terrific battle for supremacy, both McIntyre and Murray made an all out effort yet there was no separating the pair on a lunge to the finishing line.
In damp and windy conditions, McIntyre from Tulla and Murray representing Glendalough AC were amongst the early contenders with Corkman Brian Mullins (St. Finbarrs) well positioned. On the descent, McIntyre and Murray battled to the finishing line, race officials quick to call a dead heat.
A great race too in the ladies equivalent, Banteer native Niamh Hartnett (North Cork) emerging best, her knowledge of home terrain earned a prominent position from an early stage. Taking the runner-up position was Sarah Fitzpatrick (Mooreabbey Striders) with Shelly Twohig from the host club in third place.
Promoting Mount Hilary Club expressed delight on 100 participants convening to support the club’s inaugural race at a fitting location at Mt. Hillary.
Organisers extended sincere appreciation to Niamh Hartnett, Sean Harte and the MMRA Munster Mountain Running Association (MMRA) for the opportunity to co-host this year’s event. Thanks were also extended to the Glen Theatre for providing the venue for parking, registration and post-race refreshments in addition to the club members on volunteering their time both in the lead up to the race and on race night.
THERE’S a NEW date for the annual Donoughmore AC 7-mile Road Race, the 36th staging on this Thursday at 8pm.
On the longest day of the summer, 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 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 retain his title and 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). Corbett will return in a bid for a three in a row, last summer, he bettered Eoin Sugrue from Banteer and Vivien Foley (Eagle) for the top position.
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), Claire Gibbons-McCarthy and the defending holder of the T J Forde Memorial Trophy is Cronin who had little bother on fending off the field last year to regain the silverware.
Millstreet AC commemorates a great legend of sport with their sixth Willie Neenan Memorial 5-mile Race on Friday, June 29 at 8.15pm preceded by a walk from 7.30pm.