Mitchell wins 5k race as Gorry completes gruelling 50k test

There was a great turn-out at the Ballycommon GAA 5k last Sunday with 236 runners on the start line. Ferbane’s Paul Mitchell was the very impressive winner in 16.36. In second place was Dave Murray in 17.08 with Richie Galvin third in 17.26.
The women’s race was won by Pauline Curley in 18.00. Pippa Hackett of St Michael’s was second 20.09 and Mary Bracken was third in 20.12.   There were also prizes for the over-50 age group which were won by John Donegan (18.25) and Mary Galvin (24.22). The junior races were won by Brian Todd (19.24) and Hannah Larkin (23.59).

Tullamore Harriers Results
Dave Murray (17.08); Richie Galvin (17.26); Mark Donegan (17.32); Jody O’Reilly (17.58); Pauline Curley (18.00); Leonard Mooney (18.11); John Donegan (18.25); Johnny Feery (8.49); Liam Byrne (19.05); Adrian Mann (19.12); Ray Martin (19.40); John Todd (19.45); Sean Keane (19.54); Fionnan Minnock (19.55); Pauric Sweeney (20.06); Mary Bracken (20.12); Sinead Rigney (20.20); Eugene Mann (20.22); Paul Bracken (20.35); Dave Gorry (20.57); Nita McLoughlin (20.58); Matt Corcoran (21.16); Rita Daly (21.50); Denis Flynn (21.50); Paul Hensey (21.57); Ger Keyes (22.26); Ursula O’Reilly (22.40); Una Mullen (22.46); Lavinia Leahy (22.47); John McGowan (23.36); Hilary Duncan (23.42); Tommy Carberry (24.19); Sharon Daly (24.30); Ray Bell (25.01); Dorothy Heffernan (26.25); Josie Lawlor (26.31); Paula Scott (26.31); Tom Fox (26.37); Patricia Shaw (26.42); Gerry Hamill (26.45); Angela Martin (27.41); Miriam Brady (27.43); Carmel Hamill (27.49); Sandra Busteed (27.58); Aisling McCormack (28.56); Catriona Nolan (29.20); Mary Fox-Mann (29.46).

AAI Senior Indoor Championships
Sean Donegan and Larry O’Reilly both put in a great performances at the Senior Indoors Championships at AIT over the weekend, with Sean running 51.18 in his 400m heat where he finished second. However ,faster times in the subsequent heats meant that he didn’t qualify for the final.
Larry O’Reilly was 2nd in his 400m heat in 22.59 which was also outside the qualifying times for the final. He won his 60m heat in 7.05 but was unable to take his place in the semi-final due to injury.

Donadea 50k
Well done to Keith Gorry who ran his first 50k (31 miles) in blustery conditions at the 50k Championships in Donadea last Saturday. He completed the 10-lap course in a great time of 4hrs 17 seconds, finishing 47th out of the 125 who made it to the finish line.
The race was won by reigning Tullamore Half Marathon champion Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers in 2hrs 59.
 
BHAA Cross Country
John Todd was second over-60 at the Gardai-promoted BHAA cross country in the Phoenix Park last Saturday in 27.35. Runners endured very stormy conditions for the four-mile race. 
John was third scorer on the “Food A” team who were third in Grade A of the competition.

Clonakilty Back2Back Marathons
Marathon runner Denzil Jacobs ran two marathons in consecutive days last weekend as part of the Clonakilty Back2Back event. Denzil was delighted to have taken 13 minutes off his PB with a 27th place finish in 3.40 on Day 1; on Day 2, he finished 51st in 4.08.

Membership
Club membership for the 2014 calendar year is now overdue and needs to be paid immediately to facilitate AAI registration. Membership forms are available in the clubhouse. Please note that use of the club’s facilities, including the tarmac track, is restricted to members of the club.

Congratulations
Well done to Harriers members Mick Murphy and Frank Wright who have qualified to represent Ireland at the ITU World Duathlon Championships which will take place in Spain in June.

Fixtures
Saturday 22nd February:  AAI Indoor League, Round 2, AIT International Arena.
Sunday 23rd February: National Intermediate & Masters Cross Country, Dunboyne.
Sunday 2nd March: AAI Senior & Junior (Interclub) Cross Country, TBC.
Monday 17th March: Portlaoise AC 5k.
Saturday 22nd March: Rhode Ladies FC 10k.
Sunday 30th March: Lough Boora Parkland 10k.
*A list of AAI-licensed fixtures is available on www.athleticsireland.ie

Training
Training for adults every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm and Sunday at 8.30am except on race days. New members always welcome. Please contact Adrian Martin, 086-8727311, or Mary Daly, 086-1906747, or any club member.