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28 November, 2009

Ballyhoura Munster Championship Hill Run 2002
Sean Twomey and Blaithin Hannon win Ballyhoura 2002
Report by Matt Twomey (no relation)
Irish International, Sean Twomey of Gneeveguilla AC ran a fine tactical race in deplorable weather conditions to take Ballyhoura 2002, but not without a fight .
The race, was taken out by Junior International , James Doran of Riocht AC who opted to run the 10Km course. The young Riocht AC Athlete broke from the line, obviously working in tandem with his fellow clubman and coach Willie Reidy and had built up a 5 meter lead over Glenosheen. He led the field through the Goats Path and on to the Kildorrery road. Tadhg Vaughan of Coolquill AC had by this point tacked on to the leading bunch which included veteran athlete Mike McAuliffe also of Riocht AC . Doran pushed on but Twomey was gaining. Reidy was giving it his every-thing on the way out to Seefin. Twomey had the situation in hand ,how-ever, by the foot of the mountain. He swept past the Riocht pair and hit for the summit gaining ground with every stride. Vaughan , who obviously had Twomey in his sights after their herculean tangle in the Crohaun race recently, was merely 20 metres behind at the top.
Twomey stretched his lead on the descent but Vaughan chased like a man possessed. Twomey was ahead entering the Black Ditch ,but only just. Twomey fared much better than the Coolquill man in the muck and had 70 Metres in hand coming off the Ditch. The indomitable Mike Mc Auliffe had by now caught Vaughan. Reidy came out of the blue on the way down the road and a mega duel ensued between himself and Vaughan. Reidy forged ahead slightly but Vaughan hauled him back. It was tit for tat with gusto. Twomey was still 20 metres ahead and comfortable. Vaughan moved into 2nd position once again entering Lenihan?s Loop. These positions held to the end.
It was ,however, an amazing race for the young Riocht Athlete, James Doran who bravely mixed it with the big boys on their own turf. He covered the course in the very respectable time of 45.30 which made him 5th over-all. A bright future becons ! Mc Auliffe finished on 45.12 to win the veteran category once again.
Blaithin Hannon of St Finbarrs AC had it all her own way in the Senior ladies when she finished well clear of Marie Feehan of Newmarket. American visitor, Maureen White of South Carolina was 3rd on 52.31.