HIGHLIGHTS Rock n road races Kinvara, club cross country races, award for Aryell Sheedy, Naas 10 mile and more

Rock n road races Kinvara
There was a good Donore representation at the popular Rock n road races in Kinvara Galway , a 10k, half marathon and marathon to choose from which winds around the stone wall lined roads of this scenic part of Galway. An amazing race by Wayne Waldron in the marathon finishing 2nd not long after his epic 50k in Donadea a few weeks ago – he crossed the line in 2nd in 2.34 and was only 20 seconds off the winner. In a few weeks time he is tackling the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k so this is only a warmup!
In the half marathon Simon O’Toole was delighted with his PB of 79.44, dipping under 80 for the first time.
This race is popular with our Fit4Life group led by coach Barry Potts who make an annual pilgrimage to it and Fit4life group member Deirdre Healy had this report.
“DH Fit4life were well represented at the Kinvara Rock and road. In near perfect conditions for racing the legendary Barry Potts stormed home in 1.43 in the half marathon . He was followed by Peter Daly at 1.55 and Deirdre Healy at 1.58. Leading the field in the 10k was Anna McMahon at 52.35 a PB closely followed by Anne Rush at 53.53 and next across the line was Deirdre Coyle 58.46 and Andrew Maguire 60.05, great times for one of the earlier races in the calendar year!!”
Alasdair Brown was a little disappointed with his 35.11 in the 10k but still a super run. Julia Hackett was 1st W50 in a very solid run of 46.17
Irish Para Athletics award for Aryell Sheedy
One of our young athletes Aryell Sheedy was named best young paralympic athlete and third overall athlete at the Irish Paralympic Athletes awards during the week. Great recognition for him with all the hard work he puts in

Club cross country races for the Faugh a Ballagh and Jim McNamara trophies
Former Olympian and coach Jim McNamara passed away on 10 March 2016, every year the winner of the women’s club cross country championship receives the Jim McNamara trophy is in his honour. At the same time the men are awarded the Faugh a Ballagh trophy – connected very much with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, many of who were Donore members at the time, this was first awarded in 1907.
For the past number of years the race lap has been the legendary 2 mile lap – same as that of the St Stephen’s day race , except starting and finishing at the stone bridge at the top of the Kyhber road rather than the dog pond.
All the field started together , the women running 2 laps (4 miles) and the men running 3 laps (6 miles)
Retaining her title was Sorcha Loughnane who made light work of the course in 24.33. Returning from injury and getting back fit was Barbara Cleary in second place. Suzie Henley Willis who is on a roll lately was delighted to finish 3rd in 29.53. It was great to see some of our newer female members compete too – the first time to do a cross country race for some, and they enjoyed it . Emily Cunniffe a new member had a great race to finish fourth in 31.00. She was followed by Ellen Flanagan 31.35 another new fast improving recruit, Suzanne Kenny was next in 32.49 followed in by Angela Eustace in 33.33 who is rapidly returning to form too after a long period of injury. Sarah Ni Ruairc was next in followed by new Catherine McKeon and new member Katie Fitzpatrick and they worked together all around the 4 miles of the course. (Taking into account the sealed handicap, Ellen was the winner of that)
In the men’s race Ken Nugent also retained his title from last year in 34.46 with club treasurer Des Tremble 35.04 a fast finishing 2nd followed by Danny OSullivan in 3rd 35.44. Well done to Patrick Byrne 4th 37.19 with Kevin Nolan not far behind in 37.25. Next in was Craig Scott 38.20 followed by new member Conor Lucey 39.55. Peter Brennan 40.10, Kieran Beausang 43.17, Peter Nugent 43.37, Tom Fagan 44.17and JP O’Hanlon 44.25 (When a sealed handicap was built in Patrick Byrne won that)
Back at the clubhouse were the presentations and there to honour Jim’s memory were his son James, grandson Brian with his partner Chloe and their daughter Bella (Jim’s great granddaughter) . Thanks Willie Smith for marking the course and getting the beautiful medals

BHAA cross country ALSAA
Mary McDermott continued her good cross country form in the ALSAA BHAA cross country – she got the first W50 spot again and 12th in the women’s 2 mile race and Ann Woodlock finished in 30th

Road and trail roundup
At the Naas 10 mile race Alan Kinsella ran an excellent 1.05.14 finishing in 28th place. JP Hanlon ran back to back here after competing in the club cross country the day before, he still ran a sprightly 71.01
Two of our new members took to the line also Chloe Breen 1.24.18 and Mary Conroy finished in 1.40.44

Dean Fullston was our sole competitor in the scenic Carlingford half marathon finishing in 1.33.23

On the mountains Louise Kelly competed in the IMRA Annacurra 10k race close to Aughrim in Wicklow incorporating a 500m ascent and forests. She was 73rd and 12th female in the race which had 125 finishers in the long course

Parkruns
Giovanni Borza St Annes Parkrun 63rd in 21.34
Waterstown John Curran 7th in 22.56
Poppintree Paul Nunan 27th in 22.20
Shanganagh Eoin Mooney 6th 18.22
New Ross Eugene macCurtain 22nd in 24.34 Liz Mac Curtain 49th and 21st woman 28.34
Corkagh ParkNicola Dowdall 28th and 7th woman 25.27
Carlow Town 28th Ciaran McCarthy 29’10