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28 November, 2009

The Annual Clare mountain race championship was held near Killaloe and runners from all over Munster and beyond tackled the steep slopes of Feenleagh and Moylussa ? the highest point in Co. Clare at 590m (nearly 2000 feet). This race doubles as the Clare Co. championships and a round of the Munster series. Even in this fine weather this is not a jaunt for the faint-hearted ? but the view from top of the mountain on a day like this is superb ? lough Derg in all it?s splendour visible to Portumna. The race included former world champion John Lenihan from Kerry, but this time he had to give best to his young protege Eoghan McKenna (in a very fast 49:23) with Tipperary?s Ross Alexander in third. James Kenny was first Clareman in 5th just behind Limerick?s Keith Ryan. Loretta Duggan from Quin won the ladies race and the Clare championship from Margaret Ryan. West Limerick?s Sam Hand was first Junior.
Any race like this cannot happen without a lot of local input and great praise and thanks go to Matt Twoomey who came all the way from Macroom to help organise the event. Gerry Cosgrove kindly arranged access to the lands from Coillte. The local volunteers who laid out the course wish to thank Dermot Moran and James Kenny for their help. The able stewards on the day were Jim Gallagher, Joe Chawke, Tom Byrnes, David Hand & Glennis Quinlivan. Prizes were awarded afterwards in Mollys in Killaloe, who provided refreshments and food on the roof terrace at their splendid waterside establishment.

The main results were:

Senior Men: 1. Eoghan McKenna Riocht 49:23
2. John Lenihan Riocht 52:50
3. Ross Alexander Coolquill 53:42

Ladies: 1. Loretta Duggan St.Marys 69:37
2. Margaret Ryan Kilnaboy 78:49
3. Sheila Kerley Riocht 85:05

Junior Men 1. Sam Hand W. Limerick 72:42

Masters O-40 1. Keith Ryan Limerick 53:55
2. Gerard Daly Clare 62:05
3. Tadgh Vaughan Coolquill 77:18

Masters O-50 1. James Kenny Kilmurray Ibrickane 59:33
2. Paddy Hegarty Cork 62:40
3. Joe Aherne Bilboa 6451

Master O-60 1. Ted Feehan Newmarket 80:21
2. Joe Laffan Limerick 84:42
Masters O-70 1. Charlie o'Connell Dublin 107:40



Clare championships were awarded as follows:
Senior Men: James Kenny Kilmurray Ibrickane
Ladies: Loretta Duggan St.Marys