Cork County 4-mile road championship
Friday, 18th March saw the County 4-mile Road Championships take place in Castlelyons. It’s not often that we have such prestigious events on our doorstep, so it was an honour for St Nicholas AC to host the event. And a great job they made of it too.
The weather was sunny, but could have been warmer, and because the event took place on the extra bank holiday, it did not interfere with all the St Patrick’s Day parades. Competitors travelled from various clubs over the county, and there were 111 runners in all present on the day. Grange Fermoy AC had 4 women and 4 men competing, and we did gain a few medals. Mary Clare Healy won bronze in her O50 category, while John Murphy and Michael Walsh won silver and bronze in their O50 category. In the team categories, our ladies were 3rd in the O45 female events, and the men were 3rd in the O35 male event.
In an unusual turn of events, the male and female competitors ran together, which probably spurred the efforts, and it was congratulations to Paul Moloney from Mallow AC who was the deserving winner, in a time of 19.55. Time-wise, Grange Fermoy athletes were Mike Lyons. 22.59, John Murphy 23.17, Brian O’Hagan. 24.36, Mike Walsh. 25.50, Mary-Clare Healy. 36.23, Eithne Bermingham 38.00, Claire Lomasney 39.37 and Caroline McCarthy. 42.42. Congratulations to all competitors and thanks to St Nicholas AC for hosting the event.
MALLOW 10-MILE ROAD RACE
The Mallow 10-mile road race, hosted by Mallow AC, was back year, the last time it was held was in 2019 due to covid restrictions. Everyone was pleased to see this popular event back, and there was a total of 979 all eager to go from the new starting line at Mallow Castle.
You can only say that the weather on the day was freezing cold and very windy, and big change from the previous couple of days. But everyone got round safely despite the bad conditions. Winner of the men’s race on the day was Sergiu Ciabanu, who did a great time of 50.56, while the women’s race was won by rising star Michell Finn of Leevale AC, finishing in 55.09. Grange Fermoy AC are always great supporters of this race, and on this occasion we had 29 of our members lining up, with a few personal bests. Not sure whether there were any more prize winners amongst them, we will have to wait and see.
Liam O’Connor 0.57.23, (15th & 2nd M50), John Murphy 0.59.08, Gary Clerkin 0.59.11, John Hartnett 1.01.54, Brian O’Connor 1.03.01, Dave Bartley 1.08.56, Mike Ennis 1.09.01, Darren Flynn 1.13.37, Eileen Finn 1.14.23, Jo Grumbridge 1.16.48, Keith Buckley 1.17.04, Ronan McDonnell 1.20.01, Geraldine Hartnett 1.20.32, Peter O’Brien 1.21.53, Peter Dineen 1.21.54, Joanne O’Callaghan 1.24.28, Des White 1.25.13, Kenneth Power 1.25.28, Sheila Maggorian 1.25.39, Pam Kennedy 1.27.10, Mike Pratt 1.30.39, Jessie Duggan 1.31.11, Joe Long 1.41.50, Tony Dunne 1.42.09, Angela O’Mahony 1.45.03, Claire Lomnasney 1.47.52, Carol-Anne Sheehy 1.54.43, Ellie Singleton 1.54.45, Pauline O’Connor 2.01.29.
Congratulations to all competitors and thanks to Mallow AC for organising the event.