Leevale duo dominate at Neenan Memorial
LEEVALE athletes Conor McCauley and Lizzie Lee continued their current rich vein of form to dominate the Millstreet AC promoted Willie Neenan Memorial 5 mile Road Race.
A large field adjusted to a favourable course under a balmy blue sky, the race acknowledging the memory of Mr. Millstreet in athletics who delivered lifetime to the sport for more than 60 years. And a great friend, Fr. Paddy Byrne, former US coach donated a magnificent perpetual Cup won by him at the famous Banteer Sports in 1955.
McAuley returned to retain his title as colleague Lee ventured to Millstreet for the first time, the Olympian setting a course record.
At the completion of a picturesque circuit, McAuley delivered a competent performance, turning on the style from the outset to deny John Shine and consistent performer Tim O’Connor from Riocht.
McAuley’s latest win adds to a consistent run of success in recent weeks that included a win In Killeagh.. The Enniscorthy native sat nicely in the top three from the outset, and when required, McAuley held that extra degree of stamina on emerging to the fore and stormed clear to win in an impressive 26.05, a comfortable 21 seconds ahead of Shine with O’Connor placed third.
Pretty plain sailing too for Lee to take the senior ladies category and capture the Kiely Memorial Cup. Named on the Irish women’s marathon team for the European Championships in Berlin, next month, Lee is enjoying terrific success including a highly impressive triumph in the recent Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon
In front of an enthusiastic Millstreet public, Lee pulled away from club colleague Sinéad O’Connor in runner up position with local favourite and defending holder, Martina Kiely (St Finbarrs) placed third.
“My form is really good, the conditions here hot but ideal preparation for the European championships, I’m currently involved in a training block for Berlin, hopefully, all will go OK to an event, I’m really looking forward to representing Ireland,” said Lee after breaking the Millstreet course record,
RESULTS
Senior Men: (1)C McAuley (Leevale) 26.05, (2) J Shine (Leevale) 26.26, (3)T O’Connor(Riocht) 26.57; (4)A Mannix (Leevale) 27.43; (5)D Murphy( Leevale) 29.07; (6) D Hanlon(Limerick) 29.23; (7)D O’Connor (St Finbarrs) 30.29; (8)T Long (Riocht) 30.31;
M40: (1)P Lucey (Mallow) 32.01; (2)D McCaul (Sportsworld) 32.21; (3)E O’Keeffe (Millstreet) 32.36; M45: (1)P O’Keeffe (Mount Hillary) 30.56; (2)W O’Leary (Millstreet) 32.22; (3)D Bourke (Millstreet) 32.33; M50: (1)W O’Connor (Galtee) 30.46; (2)L Hickey (Riocht) 32.30, (2) P Sheehan (Millstreet) 33.25;
M55: M Lynch( Ballincollig) 33.18; (2)K Boag (unattached) 35.55, (3)P O’Connor (unattached) 39.22; M60: (1)D J Guiney (Duhallow) 37.08; J O’Driscoll (Rising Sun) 37.21; (3)O Kearney (Duhallow) 38.52;
M65: (1)N Holland (Malllow) 36.14; (2) J Twohig (Mount Hilary) 37.48; (2)M O’Riordan (Killarney Valley) 43.42. Team: (1)Leevale, (2)Riocht.
Senior Ladies: (1) L Lee ( Leevale) 27.42, 2. S O’Connor (Leevale) 29.17, (3)M Kiely (St. Finbarrs) 30.27, (4) N Moore (Cork Varsity) 31.56, (5) S Daly ( Gneeveguilla) 33.15; (6)D Quilter (Millstreet) 35.44;
F35: (1)S Creedon (Millstreet) 38.33, (2)D Neenan (Millstreet) 39.14; (3)G Hunter (Doneraile) 42.35.
F40: (1)D Smyth (Millstreet) 36.43, (2)S Looney (North Cork) 37.53, (3)M Sheehan (Bweeing) 39.17;
F45: (1)F Ring (Millstreet) 38.43; (2)S Twohig (Kanturk RR) 41.39; (3)C Hanlon (Churchtown RR) 42.16;
F50: (1)S Mackie (Christchurch Harriers) 39.04, (2)D Sheehan (Millstreet) 40.33; (3)M Murphy (Donore) 46.32; F55: (1)N Healy (Killarney Valley) 43.41; (2)P Walker (Unattached) 57.33.
FJ: (1)C O’Leary (Millstreet).
Team: Millstreet