ST. KILLIAN’SA.C.

After a year’s break, the Ferrycarrig 5 road race was back with a bang on Sunday, and St. Killian’s Athletic Club is proud to be associated with such a fantastic event.

The race highlights the best of what running can do for the competitors, the social event side, the community, and the much-needed funds to support the fundraiser for the local Crossabeg-Ballymurn community field at Garrywilliam, Crossabeg.

Ultimately the success of this event is down to the brilliant community that there is in the parish and the support that they provide for the event, from the race director Seán Kehoe, to all the stewards, parking attendants, people supplying and helping with the post-race refreshments, and the committee members that have put in endless hours of work to ensure the event was going to be successful.

The race itself was really well supported, with 350 competitors entered, and it was great to see St. Killian’s well represented by the Senior members.

The race was won by the county champion in both the road and cross-country in 2019, and also recently winning a national bronze Novice, Ger Forde of Slaney Olympic in a time of 25 minutes eleven seconds.

It was great to see our own Niall Sheil putting in a great performance in a strong, competitive field to come home in a comfortable second place in a time of 26 minutes 8 seconds.

Brian O’Shaughnessy battled hard and was rewarded with 28th place in a time of 31 minutes 5 seconds. John Egan is going from strength to strength and was next in a time of 32 minutes 39 seconds to take 33rd, with Chris McCarthy hot on his heels to finish in 36th position in a time of 32 minutes 57 seconds.

Seamus Harding finished in a time of 33 minutes 45 seconds to take 54th, with Paul Murphy finishing in 89th position in a time of 36 minutes 26 seconds.

Our women, fresh from their marathon exploits, did a great job, with Tara Jarvis coming home in a time of 43 minutes 31 seconds, and Gail Kavanagh finishing in a time of 48 minutes.

Well done to all involved, and we hope everyone enjoyed the event.