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28 November, 2009

Martin Mc Donald of North Laois AC returned to Slievenamon on Sunday to retain the magnificient glassware which he has made virtually his own over the last number of years. With Lenihan crying off at the eleventh hour due to a lingering difficulty with the injury which he received from a heavy fall in the recent Carauntoohil race and James Mc Intyre commandeered by wife Rachel to take the kids to see the tall ships, it was indeed a very composed Mc Donald that lined up at the start of the race.

Mc Donald led out the race with Cormac Troy of Tullamore Harriers in hot pursuit. Troy dropped off the pace after about 1KM, but still held 2nd position. A chasing bunch that included Tom Blackburn of Bilboa and Keith Ryan of Limerick AC did most of the earlier work but failed to make an impact on the pair. Mc Donald was well ahead at the turning with Troy 2nd but Blackburn and Ryan had almost completely eroded his lead. Ryan appeared to be invincible on the descent when he developed an amazing turn of speed which left Blackburn chasing and the some-what restrained Troy trailing. This arrangement prevailed to the line.

Orla Tuohy of Grange-Fermoy, exams over and now a qualified doctor, had a fine run in the ladies? category which she led throughout, finishing on a time of 50.06 ahead of Maureen Foley of Bilboa 2nd on a time of 50.06. New discovery, Ailbhe Creedon of Douglas had an amazing run to finish 3rd on a time of 50.47. The indomitable Loretto Duggan of St Mary?s who had been set dancing until 4.00 AM at the Willie Clancy Festival in Miltown Malbay had to settle for 4th position. Julie Hilliard of Riocht won the F/50 Category when she finished on 77.46.

Tadhg Vaughan of the organizing club Coolquill won the M/40 category on a time of 48.06 from Larry O Grady of Bilboa 2nd on 52.45. David Hand of West Limerick AC was 3rd on 55.53. Joe Aherne of Bilboa won the M/50 category on a time of 49.38 from Bernard Collins of Limerick AC 2nd on 50.20. Matt Alexander of the organizing club Coolquill was 3rd on a time of 53.16 .Joe Laffan of Limerick AC won the M/60 category on a time of 61.09 whilst Sam Hand of West limerick was the best M/J when he finished on 46.29.