Grange 10K

The final race in the County Sligo Road Race League saw yet another exciting tussle for first between North Leitrim's AC Liam Feely and Sligo AC's Richard Gorman. Feely triumphed by the narrowest of margins, one second to claim victory in 32.57. Patrick Brennan was third in 33.56 with Sligo AC's Seamus Somers fourth in 34.57. Sligo AC's Lucy Brennan turned back the clock to be first female home, securing her fifth win in the event, the last being in 2005. Second woman across the line was League winner Marie Johnston who was followed in third by Sligo AC colleague, Patricia Foy. The unseasonably warm weather meant testing conditions for the 130 strong field. Sligo AC claimed the honours in the team events. Richard Gorman led home the men in first place with Seamus Somers, Ultan McNasser and Danny Hannon. Lucy Brennan led home the Sligo AC women's team to victory with Marie Johnston, Patricia Foy and Deirdre Deering. Conal Sexton, Ross Downey, Michael Casey and Nicky Davey claimed 3rd in the team event for Sligo AC and Catherine Bradley, Ashling Cawley, Cathy McCarthy and Pauline Henry were third for the women. It was a day of few pbs but there were some, most notably from Nicky Davey and Fintan Whelan who are both Dublin City Marathon bound like so many of the runners today. The full results can be found here.

Sligo Coast to Coast 10 Mile Race Results

By Club PRO - Paul Deering 

The honours in the inaugural Coast to Coast ten mile road race from Strandhill to Rosses Point went to North Leitrim's Liam Feely in a very impressive 53.40. The County Sligo Road Race League winner proved just too strong for Sligo AC's Richard Gorman in second who can nevertheless be pleased with a pb of 53.54.

Indeed, the pleasant conditions resulted in many pbs for the distance for the 300 plus field and this will ensure the race becomes a permanent fixture on the local running calendar.

Dermot McDermott, more used to the track than long runs on the road, came home in third in 54.25. Lucy Brennan was second woman home in 63.20 with Sligo AC club mate Patricia Foy third in 66.01. Sligo AC had 15 finishers in the top 25 and there were wins in both the male and female categories.

Jonathan Hill and (57.42) and Ultan McNasser (59.29) also broke the hour mark. Seamus Somers took the over 40 honours in 56.59, Michael Clancy was second male over 50 in 66.31 and Enda Whelan was first over 60 in 72.12.

In the over 40 category Roseanne Mitchell claimed the honours in 70.42 with Sligo AC colleague, Deirdre Deering third in 72.52.

On Sunday next the club will be out in force again for the Grange 10k with the IT Sligo 5k on the following Saturday another date pencilled in.

The full results can be found here.

Upcoming Fixtures

County Sligo Fixtures

September:

• 27th - County Sligo Primary Schools Relay - IT Sligo
• 29th - Sligo Coast to Coast 10 Mile - More info

October:

• 5th - County Sligo Primary Schools Cross Country and Walks - IT Sligo
• 6th - Grange 10K - More info
• 12th - IT Sligo Knocknarea Arena 5K - More info
• 13th - Collooney 5K - More info
• 19th - Coney Island Challenge 10K/10 Mile/Walk - More info
• 20th - County Sligo Cross Country U10/U11/U12/U13/U14/U16/U18 - Sligo Racecourse

November:

• 24th - Oxfield 5K

Connacht Fixtures

October:

• 12th - Connacht Primary Schools Cross Country Senior/Novice/Intermediate/Master - Longford
• 27th - Connacht Even Ages U12/U14/U16/U18 Senior/Novice/Intermediate/Master - Leitrim

November:

• 3rd - Connacht Uneven Ages U11/U13/U15/U17/U19 Senior/Novice/Intermediate/Master - Roscommon

Other Fixtures

October:

• 28th - Dublin Marathon

The Flatline Half-Marathon

The club's many marathoners were in action in Athlone at the week-end putting themselves to the test over the half distance. In hotter than expected conditions, Sligo AC had the second biggest club representation for the Flatline event.

The club's top nine male finishers all made it under 1.30 with the highest placed being Seamus Somers, an excellent 19th in 1.16.46. Lucy Brennan was first female over 50 in 1.27.56 while Mari Johnston, this year's female Road Race League winner, was 2nd over 40 in 1.29.25.

Second male home for the club was Michael O'Connell in 1.22.21 followed in third by Rory Kelly in 1.23.08. Fourth was Damien Kennedy in 1.23.31, fifth was Conal Sexton in 1.24.47, sixth- Declan Foley in 1.28.54, seventh- Paul Deering in 1.29.17, eighth-Nicky Davey in 1.29.50, ninth- Michael Clancy in 1.29.53 and tenth Conor Healy in 1.38.14.

The club's top ten female finishers were: Lucy Brennan (1.27.56), Mari Johnston (1.29.25), Roseanne Mitchell (1.34), Deirdre Deering (1.40.03), Linda Higgins (1.47.58), Fionnuala Silke (1.51.56), Pauline Henry (1.51.13),Vanessa Foley (1.54.28), Triona O'Dowd Hill (1.58.37), Aisling Gillen (1.59.10) and Sarah McCaffrey (1.59.25).

Full results are on Precision Timing.

The next big race on the calendar is the ten mile Coast to Coast challenge on September 29th which again will see the club out in full force. It will be an ideal preparation for the Dublin City Marathon or the upcoming cross country season. Enter here.

Introduction to Cross Country

Sligo AC will commence an introduction to Cross Country each Saturday from 11.30am to 12.30. This is designed for all ages from 8 years up.

Whether you wish to compete in Cross Country Competition or improve basic fitness all are welcome. Sessions will be divided into ability groups to suit all requirements. As Sessions will increase with each participants fitness, regular attendance is recommended.

Meeting place is Sligo Racecourse at 11.25am to commence 11.30am.

Calry Parish 3 Mile Race

Heavy rain and a strong wind made far from ideal conditions for today's Calry Parish 3 mile race at The Mall.

Conor McCullagh took the honours 17.34 with Sligo AC's Patricia Foy following up her Harvest 5k victory with another win, being first woman home in 19.15. Sligo AC's Michael Casey was second overall (first male over 40) in 18.12 with club juvenile Thomas Delahunt third in 18.36 and also first junior male.

Michael Clancy was 5th in 18.50 (third male 040) with juveniles, Philip Hunter 7th (second junior male) in 19.14, Leo Doherty 10th in 19.29 (third junior male) and Keenan Deering 12th in 20.27 (fifth junior male). Martin Feeney was 13th in 20.31.

Roseanne Mitchell in 20.55 was first female over 40 (15th overall), Ashling Cawley was second senior woman in 21.32 and 19th overall.

Ciaran Donnellan was 20th in 21.46 with Orla Mulvihill 21st in 22.03 (first junior female) and Aoife Morris 22nd in 22.08 (second female juvenile) with Laura Joyce 27th overall and third female juvenile in 24.07.

Rose Young was 30th overall in 25.00. Giuila Davey was 34th overall in 25.53 (third senior woman).

More photos can be found here. Results here.

-Paul Deering Club PRO