Cian Martin (left) of Tullamore Harriers and Ballyskenach AC's Thomas Lupton in a race for the line, closely followed by Ferbane AC's Niall Kelly and Naomh Mhuire's Brendan Donagher at the Clara AC 5km race last Sunday. Photo: Ger Rogers.

Duffy edges out Mitchell in Clara 5k race

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Offaly Athletics News

The third round of the Offaly 5K Road Race Series, sponsored by Healthy Offaly, took place in Clara on a warm sunny morning last Sunday. This is a also a race which is dedicated to the memory of the late Paddy Dolan.

It was another successful event in the series following on from the Banagher AC event two weeks previously. The high standard of racing continued from what was seen in Tullamore and Banagher, and it will be intriguing to see how the remainder of the series.

From the aftermath of Storm Kathleen in Banagher, the rising temperatures in Clara provided a different challenge. After months of training in wet and rain, this was weather the runners were waiting for and delighted to see, as they navigated their way through the closed streets of Clara.

It's a good, honest course where runners were put to the test with some nice downhills followed by uphill challenges. Nevertheless, a superb turnout of 340 athletes supported the superbly organised event, hosted by Clara AC.

Luke Duffy of Tullamore Harriers took the victory in yet another tight finish with a time of 15.31, with clubmate Paul Mitchell second in 15.36 and third place went to Kevin Minnock (also Tullamore Harriers) in 15.49.

First lady was Heather Murphy of St Michael’s AC in 17.27; second was Ferbane AC’s Denise Egan in 18.33; and third lady was Mullingar Harriers athlete Ann Hall in 18.55.

Clara AC sends a heartfelt thank you to each person who contributed their time and effort - from club officials to marshals, volunteers, friends, and family.

Everyone played a vital role, and your contributions are genuinely appreciated. Clara GAA, friends and family provided so many marshals to help keep the runners safe on the roads and this was so much appreciated. Special thanks are also due to Anto from Pop Up Races for his prompt and efficient service, to Offaly Civil Defence for their professionalism, as well as to Offaly County Council and the Gardai for facilitating the road closures and ensuring the safety of the event.

Additionally, gratitude is extended to the residents along the race route and the surrounding area for their patience and cooperation. It takes a big team effort to make these races a success. Most importantly, a big thank you goes out to the athletes and clubs for their support of the Clara AC 5K.

Up next in the Healthy Offaly 5K Road Race Series is the race hosted by Ferbane AC on Sunday, May 12.

Age group winners

Junior: Sean Purcell (Clara AC, 18:22) and Rachel Donegan (Tullamore Harriers AC, 19:42).

O40: Jonathan Dunne (Tullamore Harriers, 16:13) and Máire-Tríona Keane (Tullamore Harriers, 19:53).

O45: Mick O'Brien (Tullamore Harriers, 16:11) and Evelyn Herlihy (Tullamore Harriers, 19:43).

O50: Brendan Donagher (Naomh Mhuire AC, 17:08) and Mary Stuart (Mullingar Harriers, 20:22).

O60: Eddie Newman (Mullingar Harriers, 17:41;) and Olive Mannion (Tullamore Harriers, 27:22).

O70: Brian McGrath (Le Chéile AC, 21:31) and Eileen Kenny (Athlone AC, 22:41).

Top 60 finishers

1 Luke Duffy (Tullamore Harriers AC) 15:31; 2 Paul Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers) 15:36; 3 Kevin Minnock (Tullamore Harriers) 15:49; 4 Micheal O'Brien (Tullamore Harriers) 16:11; 5 Jonathan Dunne (Tullamore Harriers) 16:13; 6 Eoin Brennan (Tullamore Harriers) 16:17; 7 Barry Minnock (Tullamore Harriers) 16:19; 8 Barry Mooney (Tullamore Harriers) 16:24; 9 Paul Buckley (Ferbane AC) 16:29; 10 David Murray (Kilcormac Killoughey AC) 16:33; 11 Mark Corcoran 16:57; 12 Thomas Lupton (Ballyskenach AC) 17:04; 13 Cian Martin (Tullamore Harriers) 17:05; 14 Niall Kelly (Ferbane AC) 17:06; 15 Brenden Donagher (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:08; 16 Oliver Galvin (Clara AC) 17:10; 17 Jimmy Coughlan (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:13; 18 Harry Flynn (Tullamore Harriers) 17:18; 19 Kevin Looby (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:26;20 Heather Murphy (St. Michael's AC) 17:27; 21 Declan Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:38; 22 Eddie Newman (Mullingar Harriers AC) 17:41; 23 Steven Rosney (Kilcormac Killoughey AC) 17:50; 24 Karl McKenna (Celbridge AC) 17:53; 25 Nigel Cunningham (Tullamore Harriers) 17:55; 26 Daniel Molloy (Tullamore Harriers) 17:55; 27 Darren Bermingham (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:56; 28 Ciaran Carr (Newbridge AC) 17:53; 29 David Cuddy (Athlone AC) 17:57; 30 Padraig Berry (Tullamore Harriers) 18:00; 31 Catch Grennan (Tullamore Harriers) 18:19; 32 Sean Purcell (Clara AC) 18:22; 33 Darren Butler (Tullamore Harriers) 18:24; 34 Brian Clarke (Galway City Harriers AC) 18:27; 35 Darragh Hynes (Ferbane AC) 18:28; 36 Denise Egan (Ferbane AC) 18:33; 37 Sean Browne (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 18:33; 38 Liam Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 18:33; 39 Alan Heffernan (Tullamore Harriers) 18:37;40 Glen Finlay (Tullamore Harriers) 18:45; 41 Andy Masterson (Birr AC) 18:52; 42 Stephen Murphy (Edenderry AC) 18:54; 43 Ann Hall (Mullingar Harriers) 18:55; 44 Ken Hume (Clara AC) 18:55; 45 Leslie Buckley (Tullamore Harriers) 18:59; 46 Keith Quinn (Naomh Mhuire AC) 19:00; 47 Eanna Kavanagh (Athlone AC) 19:06; 48 Glen Mangan (Edenderry AC) 19:07; 49 Tony Cox 19:09; 50 James Whelehan (Coralstown/Kinnegad AC) 19:12; 51 John Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) 19:17; 52 Joe Brophy (Birr AC) 19:15; 53 Diarmuid Herlihy (Tullamore Harriers) 19:20; 54 Ciaran McManus (Athlone AC) 19:22; 55 Keith Mullarney (Athlone AC) 19:24; 56 Adrian Curley (Tullamore Harriers) 19:28; 57 Sean Reynolds (Tullamore Harriers) 19:31; 58 John Kirwan Naomh (Naomh Mhuire AC) 19:32; 59 Rachel Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) 19:42; 60 Evelyn Herlihy (Tullamore Harriers) 19:43.

*See this week's Offaly Independent for more photos.

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