Unknown

28 November, 2009

Lenihan Does The Business Again On Claragh!

John Lenihan of Riocht AC , the former World Hill Running Champion was at his superb best in the opening race of the 2005 Munster Mountain Running Championships on Claragh Mountain ,Millstreet, last Sunday evening, to maintain his un-beaten record for the popular event.

He did not have it all his own way, how-ever. The race was led out by Kevin Keane, a Corkman who now resides in Dublin where he runs with the Crusaders Club . Lenihan tucked in behind the experienced Keane and remained in touch until they hit the forest track. He then edged ahead and built up a lead of some 7 metres. He pushed the pace at that point and the lead group was reduced to three, Lenihan , Keane and Joe O Connor of Riocht.

This configuration held as far as the foot of the first steep climb, where Linehan pushed the pace and O Connor was dropped leaving Keane chasing Lenihan without let-up.There was no real change until the final climb to the Monument when Lenihan stretched the lead to about 30 seconds and ran his own race to the line there-after on a time of 30.42. Keane finished 2nd on a time of 32.04, with Tom Blackburn of Bilboa moving up to fill the 3rd spot on a time of 33.14.

There was a major upset in the Ladies Category when the two superb Duhallow Juniors Michelle Finn And Rose Twohig calling on their considerable local knowledge, finished 1st and 2nd on 42.40 and 42.45 respectively leaving Seniors Loretto Duggan of St Mary’s and the defending Munster Champion and
Irish International Maureen Foley of Bilboa trailing in their wake on times of 44.29 and 45.22 respectively.
Senior athlete, Ide Donovan formerly of Buttevant and now domiciled in Mallow made a welcome return to the higher altitude in Millstreet and was next lady in on a time of 47.49.

Paul Lenihan of Riocht took the Junior Men’s Category on a great time of 37.32 from Sam Hand of West Limerick who finished on 40.16. There was an amazing performance from Juvenile Athlete Denis Finn of Duhallow who was 3rd home behind the pair on a time of 41.36.

Tom Shanahan of Riocht took the M/40 Category on a time of 34.15 from club-mate Mike Mc Auliffe on 36.52 with Dermot O Sullivan of East Cork filling the 3rd spot on 40.10. Defending Munster Champion Matt Alexander of Coolquill took the M/50 Category on a time of 41.42 from Joe Aherne of Bilboa who finished on 41.54. Malachy Mc Carthy of West Limerick was 3rd on a time of 41.56. Joe Laffan of Limerick AC won the M/60 Category on a time of 54.01 whilst the sprightly John Forde of Cork took the M/70 Category .

Adrian Linehan of Duhallow AC is the Cork County Senior Champion and club-mate Donal Mannix fills runner-up position. Dermot O Sullivan of East Cork is the Cork County M40 Champion and Pat Murphy of Eagle is the runner-up. Donie Shine, the race organizer, of Duhallow is the Cork County M/50 Champion and Jimmy Murray of Rising Sun is the runner-up.

Members of The Irish Mountain Running Association would like to thank the Duhallow Club and in particular Donie Shine and Jerry Twomey for a superbly organized event. They wish a speedy recovery to Club Chairman John Walshe, from the effects of an unfortunate horse-riding accident.

They wish to thank the Club for sponsoring the prizes and Mr and Mrs Seanie Barrett for the hospitality extended.