Daly claims five mile road race

The McNamara 5 Mile road race took place on the Boston Scientific course this year due to work on the bypass in Mucklagh. All athletes are let off together and their finishing time is adjusted at the finish according to the handicap each athlete gets. A good field of 26 runners set off with two laps of the tarmac before heading down the Charleville Road and out the Rahan Road. Declan Fahey, who had not raced for two months, raced into an early lead from Adrian Curley. However, Curley didn"t panic and soon got back up to Fahey and the pair ran together up to the four mile mark. With less than a mile to go, Declan Fahey made a decisive burst and quickly established a 20-metre lead over Curley. It was a lead that Fahey would maintain to the finish as he came home the winner in a time of 27.41, just three seconds clear of Adrian Curley. Martin Carroll won the battle for third place over Jody O"Reilly who had to settle for fourth and Mick Murphy ran well to finish fifth. Pauline Curley was the first woman to finish when coming seventh overall in a time of 28.59. When the handicaps were adjusted Mary Daly was declared the winner of the McNamara Trophy. In a close battle for the minor placings, John Cronin was second with Andy O"Grady third and Fran Mollen a close fourth. Full Results After Handicap. 1 Mary Daly 24.03; 2 John Cronin 24.49; 3 Andy O"Grady 25.17; 4 Fran Mollen 25.20. 1 Declan Fahey 27.41; 2 Adrian Curley; 3 Martin Carroll 28.35; 4 Jody O"Reilly 28.46; 5 Mick Murphy 28.53; 6 Declan Madden 28.57; 7 Pauline Curley 28.59; 8 Johnny Feery 29.15; 9 Anthony Rickard 29.53; 10 John O"Connell 30.09; 11 Tony McCormack 30.12; 12 Vinny Conlon 31.44; 13 Pat Conlon 32.48; 14 Maire Triona Keane 32.48; 15 Mary Daly 33.03; 16 Joe Wrafter 34.04; 17 Maurice Fitzgerald 34.17; 18 Fran Mollen 34.20; 19 Andy O"Grady 35.17; 20 James Grogan 36.39; 21 Una Mullen 37.07; 22 Martina Conlon 38.18; 23 Larry Rigney 39.32; 24 Jim Dolan 40.57; 25 Marie O"Brien 41.02; John Cronin 47.19. Race Roundup Business Houses. John Todd competed in the North County Dublin farmers 5k Cross Country race last Wednesday and finished 29th overall and second over 55 in a time of 18.57. John also ran last Sunday in the MSB KBC ST Patrick"s 5k in Dublin which attracted a huge field of runners. John ran very well to finish 83rd place overall in a time of 18.10. This gave John first place in the over 55 category a feat he has achieved for the last four years in a row. Liz Cuskelly also competed and she finished in 108th place and second in the over 35 category in a time of 18.39. Indoors Ray Delaney and Thomas O"Flaherty got in some useful competition when they competed as guests in the Connaught Championships last Saturday. Ray Delaney was rewarded for his efforts when he achieved a personal best in the 200 metres when clocking 24.99. Thomas O"Flaherty also ran in the 200 metres and recorded a time of 25.26. Fixtures Tuesday March 24th: Spring League first Leg: 3,000 Metres at 7pm. Tuesday March 31st: Spring League: mile race at 7pm. April 5th Bupa 10k, Dublin. Tuesday April 7th: Final Leg, Spring League: 5,000 metres at 7pm. April 19th National road Relays in Raheny, Dublin. April 26th National 10k Road Championships. Navan. May 4th Leinster Novice and Masters Road Race.