Seán O’Sullivan sweeps to 5k victory

The third in the series of three 5K road races / fun runs organised by An Riocht AC was held on Wednesday evening from 7pm. A busy registration room at headquarters signaled that the numbers facing the starter would be well past the 100 mark as the others had done on the previous two Wednesday nights. An ideal evening completed the trio where the series of events wouldn’t have got enough rain to fill an egg stand and the last evening was the best of all. An Ríocht AC Athlete, Seán O’Sullivan swept to overall victory with a powerful run on a time of 16.08. His rival and clubmate, Tommy O’Brien – who also had a win to his name – came in third on 16.30 – while Patrick O’Connor took second on this occasion on a time of 16.14. Shona Heaslip continued her impressive running with a fifth overall and the winner of the senior women’s category ahead of Martina Kiely of Millstreet and Carol Finn of Leevale AC. The inimitable Tullamore Harriers athlete, Jim Langan took the over 70 category prize in style in a time of 23.52 in spite of a training run fall the previous weekend. All safely off the roads and home, watches stopped, times clocked, medals and Buffs collected, hugs given and received, oranges eaten – all were invited to the kitchen area for soup and brown bread or tea, cake and biscuits – or both. They were all treated royally and their support appreciated. “What will we do on Wednesday nights now,” a gang from St. Brendan’s AC from Ardfert asked. They’ll be back for the big Halloween Party on and around the track – the details of which are being packed with frightening possibilities at present. Some said they’ll be back for the soup.

List of Prizewinners

The list of overall prizes and results is as follows: Senior Men: 1. Sean O’Sullivan, An Ríocht; 2. Tommy O’Brien, An Ríocht; 3. Patrick O’Connor, An Ríocht; Senior Women: 1. Shona Heaslip, An Ríocht; 2. Martina Kiely, St. Finbar’s; 3. Carol Finn, Leevale; Men40: 1. Robert Purcell, Gneevguilla; 2. Stephen Moore. Women 40: 1. Maria McCarthy, Farranfore Maine Valley; 2. Mary O’Connor, An Riocht. Men 50: 1. Larry Hickey, An Ríocht; 2. Padraig Sheahan. Women 50: 1. Niamh O’Sullivan, An Ríocht; 2. Sharon Cahill, An Ríocht. Men 70: 1. Jim Langan, Tullamore Harriers. Junior Men: 1. Andrew Purcell, Gneevguilla. Boys 16: 1. Eamonn Sheehy; 2. Zack Walsh. Girls 16: 1. Grace Cahill, An Ríocht. 2. Robyn Cahill, An Ríocht.

The evening sun on the faces of the athletes as they await the signal to go at the start of the third and final An Ríocht AC 5K road race on Wednesday evening.