Sligo Athletic Club News: 29th June 2009

The Inaugural Ransboro 10k Road Race and Walk got off to a fine start on a scorching saturday evening last. The charity event which raised money for a local Defibrillator unit had a huge turnout with more than 100 runners and 50 walkers taking part. Many participants used the run as a tune up for Strandhill’s Warriors run in August and though the undulating course wasn’t as challenging as the trek to Queen Maeve’s tomb , most participants found the heat made it a very tough workout. The temperatures were still in the low 20s as the gun went off at 630pm but this had little effect on Sligo’s Irish International runner David Kelly who scorched around the scenic course in a time of 32 mins and 32 seconds. Equally impressive and a future star in the making was 14 year old James McGeogh running a mature and measured race to see off a host of senior athletes to come second in 37 mins and 28 secs . Alan Kearins finished 3rd followed by a solid run by Oliver McGeeghan in 38mins and 4secs . A hot duel between club mates Trevor Hunter and Steve Finnegan saw Trevor just shade it at the finish for the veterans prize. In the Women’s race Lucy Brennan shows no let up after her recent Cork marathon win coming home 8th overall in 39 mins and 10 secs. 2nd woman home was Cindy McCarthy who won the first veteran prize followed by Roseanne Mitchell, Aisling Cawley and Mary Foye. Second veteran went to Ann Hunter . First local (Strandhill/Coolera) prizes went to Tony McCaul and Aisling Cawley. Dromahairs’s Tom Cullen was first walker home. (Click on comments link below for full results)
Elsewhere two Sligo AC Athletes made the trip to the Ballybofey 5k on Friday 26th June which was part of the Donegal Race Series. David Kearins had a fine run in his first ever race over this distance recording a time of 17.49secs whilst Ultan McNasser came 6th overall in 17 minutes flat. Once again well done to all athletes who raced over the weekend & we hope to have full results posted here shortly.
The Next local road race will be the Independence Day 10k run in Calry on Saturday 4th July at 12 noon. The tough hilly course makes it an ideal race in preparation for the Warriors Run in late August. Registration is in Marian Hall, Calry from 11am onwards & its hoped that a good number of local athletes will take part.

Sligo Athletic Club Notes 22nd June 2009

Connacht Track and Field Championships
The second day of the Connaught T & F championships were held on Saturday with many members of Sligo AC taking part. Colm Burke completed in the U16 800m and long jump and qualified in the long jump. Sharon Higgins secured silver in the U17 1500m. Jack Roberts ran a solid race in the U17 800m and picked up gold with a bronze in the 100m. David Burke secured silver in both the 200m and 300mH. Rianne McHugh qualified in both the U18 200m and 300m with bronze medals. Anna Reddin showed she is back in form with a convincing win in the U18 1500m. Kenneth Lipsett performed well in his first championships in qualifying in Long Jump, Triple Jump, High jump and 100m. Rachel Kilgallon ran a solid race in the U19 800m to win gold. In the senior category Gary Hynes improved his form in the 100m and 200m with a silver in both events. Congratulations to these Athletes from all at the club.

Sligo AC National League & Club News

Sligo AC bridged a three year gap when they fielded a team in the AAI National Track & Field League in Antrim on Sunday 14th June. A fifth place finish in Division One sets them up nicely for the second day in Athlone on July 5th. Impressive runs by Tommy Casey (1500m) Gary Hynes (200m) and Emmett Dunleavy (3000m steeplechase) were some of Sligo's highlights on the track. The spirit of the team was exemplified by team captain Dermot McDermott, who ran his first ever track race over 5000m and was only beaten in a sprint finish by international athlete Sean Connolly (Tallaght). McDermott finished in an impressive 15mins 23seconds.

In Manchester meanwhile, on Saturday 13th June, Martin Conroy (pictured) continued his rich vein of form; running a fine race & recording a personal best over 5000m in a time of 14mins 43seconds. Well done to these Athletes from all at the Club.

Sligo Athletic Notes 15th June 2009

Sligo underage athletes were out in force again at the Connaught Track and Field Championships U12 – U15 in Athlone on Saturday last. This was the first outing at these championships for many of them and they had some fine performances. In the U12 category David Rutledge ran in the 60m and just missed a place in the final. Both he and Mark Connolly ran the 600m and put up strong efforts. They competed again in the Long Jump but finished outside the placings but gained valuable experience. Caolainn McGonigle (pictured far left on podium) ran a strong 600m to finish in second place and secure her place in the All Irelands. Dylan Carty had some bad luck in the U14 walk but came fourth and a place in the All Irelands in the Shot putt. Darren Kilcalwey qualified in both the 200 and 800m. In U15 800m John Bourke and Nicola McGoldrick ran sold races and finished 4th and 3rd respectively. Ciara Connolly had her first run over the 250m hurdles and finished in bronze position. All of these qualifiers now go forward to the All Irelands to be held in Tullamore on 11/12/19 July. Congratulations to all who travelled and competed. Next weekend sees the U16 to U19 and senior age groups compete in Athlone at 10.30am start.
The Maugherow 10k Road Race also took place over the weekend with a sizable field turning out for this challenging course. John Byrne (Mayo AC) took first place in a time of 33.40 with Sligo AC's Richard Gorman claiming second in a time of 35.20. Andrew Lynsky (Mayo AC) took third place in just over 36 minutes. Veteran Sligo AC athlete Trevor Hunter took first place in the vets category in 37.37 whilst the evergreen Lucy Brennan (Sligo AC) won the womans category in 38.08.

Sligo Athletic Club - Report & Results; Connacht Team and Donegal 5k

Connacht Team Results
Sligo AC U9, U10 and U11 athletes travelled to Athlone on Saturday last, 6th June 2009, for the Connaught Team Competition for this age group. The morning started sunny but cold and turned into a very winterly cold, wet and windy day. Congratulations to all athletes who braved the conditions. In the U9 competition Eva Delahunt and Andrea Burke received bronze medals. Sean Keaney and Jack Connor were unlucky just outside the bronze in fourth. U10 girls Ellen McGeough and Lillian Casey secured silver in the 500m. U10 boys Leo Doherty and Mark Kilcawley were joint third place and Leo Doherty and Conor Melvin were in silver position in the U10 500m. U11 boys Adam Lynch and James McCole received silver medals in the ball throw. U11 boys Shane Mooney and James McCole were unlucky again in just fourth place in the long jump. U11 boys 4 x 100m received bronze in the relay. All these medal winners now go forward to the National competition to be held in Templemore on 27th June. If any athletes are unable to travel please let the club know immediately. All other athletes Lisa Morrow, Ciara Mooney, Jack Walshe, Ciaran McGlone (who unfortunately received an injury), Riona Connor, Jayne McCormack, Maeve Keaney all performed well on the day.

Donegal Town 5k, 5th June 2009. Well done to all Sligo AC athletes who travelled up to Donegal town for a 5k road race, part of the ongoing "Mizuno Donegal Race Series". Ultan McNasser came eighth overall in a time of 16.47, Karl Boyce lead a tightly packed group through in 17.54 (19th) with Trevor Hunter (21st) and Mel Casserly (22nd) just behind in 17.56 and 18.03 respectively. Mark Burns ran solidly to finish Sligo AC's involvement in a time of 19.00 (34th). Congratulations to Trevor who came second in the over 45's category and also to Mel who finished third in the over 35's.

Brennan wins Cork Marathon 2009!

The 2009 Cork Marathon was held in brilliant sunshine over the Bank Holiday weekend. A hearty congratulations from all at the Club & the County to the first woman over the line, Sligo AC's Lucy Brennan (pictured with overall winner Michael Herlihy) in a time of two hours, 51 minutes and 25 seconds. “It was great to come here and regain my title for the second year,” she said. “This is marathon number 15 for me. The atmosphere was fantastic and is hard to beat.” (Irish times)

Elsewhere well done also to Sligo AC athletes Emmett Dunleavy and Martin Conroy who recorded times of 9:11 for the steeplechase and 14:50 for 5k respectively. With both of these athletes racing competitively on a frequent basis it is assured that both will achieve numerous "pb's" over the coming season.

Upcoming Events: June 2009

Donegal Town 5k Road Race, Friday 5th June @ 8pm. Registration at Abbey Voc School, Donegal Town from 6pm.

Rotary Club Enniskillen 10k, The Forum, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. Saturday 6th June 2009 @ 2pm.

Maugherow 10k Road Race, Maugherow Parish Hall, Co.Sligo. Sunday 14th June 2009 @ 1pm. Junior race and walkers start at 12.30 sharp. All proceeds go to Defibrilator Fund.

Ransboro 10k Road Race, Saturday 27th June @ 6.15pm. Walkers start at 6pm. Registration in Ransboro Community Hall (beside the school). All proceeds to go Defibrilator fund.