Peter O'Farrell

12 September, 2024

15 racers, 12 on the long course.
Turlough Conway, a modern missionary, once again bridging gaps to keep a race going in one of the many counties that isn't Dublin or Wicklow. Fair Play to Donal McMorland stepping up on the Saturday to ably manage the Leinster Championship affair up to Foxes Rock, via Slieve Foye. Turlough looked after first aid there.
Today we merely had to climb Barravore on the way to Slieve Foye and then back, on a marked course. Marked by Turlough. Orla on first aid/finish line recording and Peter Boyle on summit and photographer completed the volunteer list.
My work buddy picked a lovely race to dip his toes into the joys of IMRA so well done Ronan. The photo of him stopping to take a summit photo with 2 other racers has led to mild ribbing, it is supposed to be a race after all Ronan...
Onto the racing and Sam Little showed a clean pair of heels to Conor and Oisin O'Farrell on the kiddie course. After that view of the future it was the turn of the short course crew to assault the finish line and well done to Tyman Ward, Rose White and Elaine Casey on their podium racing.
Last to finish were those of us lucky enough to reach Slieve Foye and thanks again to Turlough on excellent marking flags as visibility on the mountain wasn't there - which might have caused concern on the unmarked Saturday championship race. Orla had zero patients to manage in her first aid role and was able to record finishers.
On his second race of the weekend Con Halpin recorded his second second place of the weekend and if we had had an overall weekend championship he'd be the winner. Unfortunately for him other lads had minded themselves on the Saturday with Brian Kavanagh running very strongly on the lesser slopes. Con was still the fastest on the steeper climbs but channeling my inner Greg Byrne I kept in contact as best I could until the final descent where I managed to get a wee gap. Great close racing all told and as slight consolation Con took home the liquid prize for first Louth finisher with Lorraine Dunne taking home the ladies equivalent.
Ronan Oliver got the spot prize for first man home from Louth called Ronan at his first IMRA run, well done Ronan.
So thanks again to Turlough, Peter and Orla for giving up their race so we could.

Possibly this race could be rested next year and the championship race move to earlier in the year where the high ferns would have less impact on the final descent. Food for chat.