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28 November, 2009

2002 Races
Slievenamon race - Report by Matt Twomey
Veteran Martin McDonald, North Laois AC, put in an awe inspiring performance in Slievenamon 2002 taking out a number of capable Senior aspirants in the process. He was returning to active competition after a family bereavement and an injury resulting from a farm accident.
He led out the race and built a commanding lead on the way out to the top pushed by Michael Kelly of Gowran who was lagging by some 20 metres at the turning. Mc Donald dropped from the top with some considerable ease where-as Kelly was uncomfortable on the descent and was picked off half ways down by Riocht?s John Herlihy. This order held to the line with Mc Donald finishing 1st on 36.59 with Herlihy a further 2 minutes and 43 seconds behind on 39.42.
Munster Champion Blaithin Hannon of St Finbarr?s had it all her own way in the ladies when she lopped 1 minute and 39 seconds off her previous best time to finish on 48.20. Munster Secretary Pat Murphy of Eagle AC was 2nd in the Vet category when he finished on 40.07, whilst Joe Feeney of Civil Service took the Super Vet category when he finished on 45.20