Slieve Bearnagh
Authors
Unknown
28 November, 2009
<B>Superb Day’s Racing On Slieve Bearnagh!</B>
Slieve Bearnagh near Killaloe was the place to be on Sunday last as a spectator or competitor to savour some of the most competitive mountain running seen in Munster this season. Whilst the entry was a little lower than the organisers would have desired, the event is now firmly established as an annual Munster Championship and a Clare County Championship event.
The race started on the trail above the Coillte car park, Ballycugguran at 1.00 PM. The “ Ballinonty Tornado” Shane Mullaney led out the race and was well ahead of the field for the first mile, causing concern for the elites in his wake. James Mc Intyre of Tulla AC made his move at this point and hit the front. He was followed by Willie Reidy of Riocht AC, Martin Bradshaw of Bilboa the eventual winner, and the Tulla AC pair, David Moloney and Richard O Donnell. Bradshaw made his move at the Coillte barrier near Lackabranner and forged ahead chased by Mc Intyre and Reidy. James pulled away at the turn-off to Moylussa and built up a lead of some 15 Metres between there and the foot of the hill. Bradshaw was in hot pursuit with a further 15 metres in hand over Reidy . Fog and low visibility on the way out to the summit caused Mc Intyre to take the circuitous route, there-by loosing valuable time. Bradshaw wasted no time in capitalising on his rival’s bad fortune and moved ahead. He was 50 Metres ahead of Mc Intyre at the summit of Moylussa. Mc Intyre had 20 metres on Reidy and Reidy, 10 metres on the ultra competitive O Donnell . It was virtually all over at this point. This order held true to the end when we saw Bradshaw coming in to win on 49.14 followed by Mc Intyre 2nd on 49.39. Reidy was 3rd on 49.57.
Maureen Foley of Bilboa AC was best of the ladies when she covered the 6 Km course on 41.11 ahead of Kate Moyna F/35, Riocht AC on 42.03. Loretto Duggan of St Mary’s AC was 3rd on a time of 44.03. It must be remembered, how-ever, that Loretto competed in the final leg of the Ballyhoura 5 Mile Series in Charleville and was declared the the over-all winner of the Series less than 48 hours earlier.
We wish to thank Mr Joe Duffy and Mr Jerry Cosgrove of Coillte for their courtesy and assistence, local stewards Mike Quinlivan, Jim Gallagher, Glennis and Saidhbh Quinlivan. We thank Tom Blackburn of Bilboa AC for helping with course marking. A sincere thanks to Mr John Joe Gorman of Molly’s Bar Ballina, Killaloe for his sponsorship and after race hospitality. Last ,but certainly not least we would like to thank the Clare Champion and Clare FM for the superb publicity.
Results:
!0 K Course:
1st Martin Bradshaw Bilboa AC 49.14
2nd James Mc Intyre Tulla AC 49.39
3rd Willie Reidy Riocht AC 49.57
4th Richard O Donnell Tulla AC 50.57
5th Keith Ryan Limerick AC 50.57
6th David Moloney Tulla AC 52.39
Juniors:
1st Sam Hand Kilmallock AC 1.07.29
2nd Paul Lenihan Riocht AC 1.27.16
6 Km Course:
Ladies:
1st Maureen Foley Bilboa AC 41.11
2nd Kate Moyna Riocht AC 42.03
3rd Loretto Duggan St Mary’s AC 44.02
4th Eimear Laffan Limerick 50.50
5th Julie Hilliard (F50) Riocht AC 1.01.16
M40:
1st James Kenny Kilmurray Ibrickane AC 54.17
2nd Vincent Higgins Duhallow AC 59.33
3rd Malachy Mc Carthy West Limerick AC 1.01.42
M50
1st Matt Alexander Coolquill AC 59.37
2nd Joe Feeney Riocht AC 1.00.17
3rd Joe Aherne Bilboa AC 1.07.16
M60:
1st Joe Laffan Limerick AC 1.13.02
Clare County Championship:
1st James Mc Intyre
2nd Richard O Donnell
3rd David Moloney
M40:
1st James Kenny
Ladies:
1st Loretto Duggan
