Brian Furey

06 July, 2021

A fine sunny day greeted us in oughaval woods outside stradbally for this Imra south east league race. It's less than an hour from Dublin and quite easy to get to. Some pre race chats with Vivian, Mike long and Mike Jordan who all congratulated me on completing the round. Also some catchup with Tom Lupton who was busy doing the car park marshalling.

After a quick warm-up, race got under way. A group of 6 of us led the way at the front. I nearly went wrong way at first corner as there was a sharp left onto single track but for Brian Flannelly shouting I think it's this way which alerted me. From here for first 2k it was alot single track forest path, up and down, hard to pass. I was 5tj or 6th at this stage all running one after another on a long line.
After 2k I tried to move up and I did gain some places. Enda Cloake took over
lead from Brian Flannelly with Michael o Brien moving onto 3rd, I was in 4th. From
Here to 6k these positions remained the same. Enda C gapped us all on a clear lead. Brian Flannelly and Michael O Brien opened a 500m gap on me. Course was well marked with Markings
mainly at junctions and on the side you would be turning. Ground was mainly nice forestry track.
I caught Brian Flannelly at 6k, surprised I did. I gave him some words of encouragement and kicked on.
I knew the last 2k as had ran it in the warmup. I finished it out for 3rd. Enda Cloake won with Michael Obrien 2nd.
Grace Egan, Clodagh Kelly and Emma Hand were 1,2,3 in the ladies.
Brian Flannelly came in shortly afterwards and had a bad gash on his knee. That explained his slowing down. Catherine long did a great job in cleaning the wound and bandaging it. Mike Jordan's mountain rescue kit came in handy too. Also Conor O Farrell and Karen helped Brian to get to the AnE where he got it cleaned out right and got stitches on it. He says He's on the mend now and will live to fight another day.

Thanks to Paul and volunteers for a great race.