Declan Moore wins the Michael Curley Cunningham 4 Mile
As last Friday morning awoke after a week of rain and thundery downpours the sun rose high over the Galtees. The glorious dawning was a prediction of what the next 24 hours was to bring for the annual Michael Curley Cunningham Memorial Run. From early morning the phones of those of us behind the scenes were pinging in preparation of the day's events ahead.
As 6pm dawned the village became a hive of activity with people arriving from all corners of Munster and some from further afield. At 7.15pm 124 runners made their way to the start line on the Limerick Road for the 7.30pm race in remembrance our dear Curley.
Curley will remain a hero to all who had the pleasure of knowing and meeting him. A gentleman to the core and an elite athlete who was always willing to offer words of support and encouragement to others. An inspiration to so many.
The race was won overall by Declan Moore of Bilboa AC followed in 2nd by Killian Lynch, West Limerick AC and Sean Blackburn, Leevale AC in 3rd. The 1st lady home was Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC followed by Angela McCann, Clonmel AC in 2nd and Suzanne Shine also of Clonmel AC in 3rd.
In the categories the O40s was won by Michael Gleeson, Templemore AC and Ellen Hanley, Grange Fermoy AC. The O50s was won by Seamus McSweeney, St Nicholas AC and Fionnuala Keogh. The O60 was won by Willie O'Donoghue, Mooreabbey Milers AC and Mary Hinchy, Mooreabbey Milers AC and the O70s by was taken by Richard Lenihan, West Limerick AC.
The junior male was won by Paublo Alonso, Tipperary Town while the female category was won by Ines Marcos.
Running from the club was Tom Blackburn who finished 9th overall, Willie O'Donoghue who finished 10th, Damien Holian, Francis Morrisson, Tom Dillon, Noelle O'Brien, Gerard Kervick, Telmo Rips Tous, Mary Hinchy, Ray Murray, Eileen Doyle, Pauline Ryan, Nicola Connolly, Caroline Bourke, Julianne Dillon, Edel Leonard, Sandra Withero Kenny and Toni Crowe.
RD was Patricia Blackburn and her band of helpers were Patricia Ryan, Marie O’Shea, Davena Flynn, Lynda Hynes, Padraig Wallace, John Hayes, Mairead Hynes, Martina Moloney, Mary O'Connell, Mandy Parslow, Gerda Coyne, Siobhan O'Dwyer, Kevin Lenihan, Michael Carey, Paddy Bourke, Jane and Ger Griffin, Stuart Moloney, Mary Louise Ryan, Robert, Ryan and Ruairi Cunningham, Ger Hanley, Brendan Houlihan, Larry O'Grady and Ann Cummins.
We would also like to express a grateful thank you to Damien Holian of Damien's Driving School for his kind sponsorship of the overall prize for the winner of the Michael 'Curley' Cunningham 4 Mile. We would also like to extend a kind thank you to Hinchy's Garage Garryspillane who sponsored the lead car along with the 1st lady's across the finish line prize.
ON YOUR 6TH ANNIVERSARY CURLEY...
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine, We let you go, Into the dance of the stars and the planets, We let you go, Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker, We let you go, We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy, Go safely, go dancing, go running home.
RIP. Our forever running friend. A donation from the proceeds of the run will be donated to the Hospice in the coming days. As we close the curtain on Curley's memorial run we thank you - Bilboa AC, West Limerick AC, Leevale AC, St Nicholas AC, Fethard AC, Derg AC, Dundrum AC, Templemore AC, Tuam AC, Grange Fermoy AC, Dooneen AC, Clonmel AC, Carrick-on-Suir AC, Kilmallock AC, Thurles Crokes AC, An Bru AC, Boru Tri, Kilfinane AC, Cahir Meet & Train, St Michaels AC, Midleton AC, Mooreabbey Milers AC and those unassociated with AC clubs from Tipperary Town, Cashel, Cork, Newport, Bishopstown, Ardnacrusha, Cappamore, Ballylanders, Pallasgreen, Clonlara, Castleconnell, Donohill, Bansha, Killaloe and Galbally.
We hope to see some of ye back in Galbally for the Mooreabbey 10 Mile. An AAI Permitted Event : Permit No: 23/144. On Sunday the 9th of July 2023 at 11am. Online registration available on the eventmaster website for just €25.
JUVENILE TRACK
From the highs of our 4 mile event on Friday night, it was to be the turn of our little people on Saturday and Sunday. Again, glorious sunshine shone on our girls Doireann Moloney, Kitty O'Dwyer, Tessa O'Dwyer, Kate Ryan, Rachel Butler and Emma Butler who participated in the county outdoor track and field in Templemore Saturday while for Neasa Moloney Katie Butler it was to be a slightly damper day on Sunday. A very enjoyable weekend was had by all our girls with Neasa Moloney just losing out on a podium position, finishing 4th in the 600m track but she took some silverware in the javelin by taking 2nd while Katie Butler qualified for the 60m final.
KILLARNEY HALF MARATHON AND 10K
Two ladies headed for the roads of Killarney last Saturday morning for the Killarney Half and 10k. The 10K was the same much-loved route which submerses all in the beauty of Killarney. A lollipop route which started near the Gleneagle Hotel, heading out the Muckross Road with a jaunt around the spectacular Killarney National Park before finishing back at the Gleneagle Hotel. Running this was club lady Mary Magner. New club trainee Gerda Coyne took on the half marathon event.
With the same starting point near the Gleneagle Hotel, the half marathon route again took Gerda out the Muckross Road for a relatively short out and back section before turning back and entering the spectacular Killarney National Park to continue following on the same route as the 10k before finishing back at the Gleneagle Hotel.
CLUB REGISTRATION
Registration for 2023 is open. Adults train on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7pm in the community field in Galbally. Adults also do hill/ mountain and trail training, become a registered member and get the added benefit of being included in the club's WhatsApp to keep up to date with training/races and events and avoid having to purchase a one-day licence for open races €40 per adult.
JUVENILES
Juvenile training takes place in the community field, Galbally each Monday night at 7pm with qualified coaches. For insurance purposes juveniles have to be registered with the club. Registration from their 8th birthday. €30 per juvenile. Contact us through any of our social media platforms.