DUBLIN HALF MARATHON
In the Phoenix Park on Sunday morning, Dublin-based Mayo man Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) had well over two minutes to spare when winning the Irish Life Half Marathon on Saturday (September 22). Best of the Dublin club runners were Michael Brady (Raheny Shamrock AC) fourth in 70:17, and Tomás Fitzpatrick (Tallaght AC) fifth and first M40 in 71:18. Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) was first woman in 75:45, with the Dublin club runners led home by Fiona Stack (Raheny Shamrock) third and first W40 in 80:24. Eilish Roe (Dundrum South Dublin AC) was fifth woman in 84:14 and Ruth Wilson (DSD) ninth senior finisher in 87:46. In the age categories, Claire Smith (Clonliffe Harriers) was fourth W35, Olivia Sexton (Portmarnock AC) third and Eimear Caulfield (LSA AC) fourth W40 and Shirley Coyle (Raheny Shamrock) third W45. Winning the W50 category wasMary Walsh (Raheny Shamrock) with Una Gaines (Lusk AC) third. Lorraine O’Driscoll (Dundrum South Dublin AC) was first W55, followed by Dorothy Lennon (D15 RC). Winning the W60 title was Grainne Grennan (Blackrock AC) while first W70 was Mary Lynch (Raheny Shamrock). Of the men, Aidan Jones (Raheny Shamrock) was third M35 in 75:11 followed closely by Alan Maher (Portmarnock AC) fourth in 75:16. Sreedevan Nair (Blackrock AC) was first M60, with Dean Fullston (Donore Harriers) third in this category. Finally, John Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock AC) was first M70.
CLONLIFFE CHAMPIONS
Clonliffe Harriers held its club cross-country championships at Santry on Saturday with Colm Rooney taking the men’s senior title ahead of Stephen Cashin and Mahad Eagle. Niamh Kelly was first of the senior women, followed by Sarah Bateson and Alana Burke. Masters winners were Laura Kernan of the women and Garrett Loy of the men. In the U20 category, Emily Bolton was first woman and Sean Cronin best of the men. Before the races came a tribute to the late great Pat Bonass, a club stalwart for many decades whose funeral was also held on Saturday.
GRIFFITH AVENUE MILE
Fastest time of the day at the Griffith Avenue Mile in Dublin’s Marino also on Sunday was the 4 mins 4 secs recorded by Juan Ignacio Pena (Raheny Shamrock) who finished three seconds ahead of Kevin McGrath (Bohermeen AC). Third in 4:13 was Lorcan Benjacar (Clonliffe Harriers) with Benjamin Caullier (Lucan Harriers) clocking the same time for fourth place. Cheryl Nolan (St Abban’s AC) with a time of 4:48 was the only woman to break five minutes for the course although Charlotte Myers (Crusaders AC) came close with a time of 5:03. Third and first W40 was Rachel Murphy (Plant-Based AC) in 5:05. Both Aine Burke (St Coca’s) and Lucy Barrett (Raheny Shamrock) were also given a time of 5:05. Category winners included Pierce Geoghegan (Liffey Valley) M40, Lea Fulcher (Plant Based AC) M50, Aidan McGrath (Ballymun AC) M60and Annette Kealy (Rahney Shamrock) W50).
BIG ENTRY FOR RATHFARNHAM 5KM
Entry is now closed for next Sunday’s 24th annual Rathfarnham 5km which will double up as the Dublin 5k championships with 1,600 entered and expected to line out (9.30am start). Before that, three children’s races will take place for ages under 14, 12 and 10 (and over eight), with the first race at 8.50am.
Previous winners of the Rathfarnham 5km have included Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers) in 2019, then aged nineteen, who clocked a time of 14:18 for victory. In 1999 ,when the race was first held, Noel Cullen (Clonliffe Harriers) was the winner in 14 mins 9 secs, still one of the fastest times ever. Fastest women’s time is the time of 15 mins 25 secs recorded by Maria McCambridge (DSD) in 2004. Last year’s winner was East Cork veteran Michael Harty in a time of 14 mins 32 secs. First woman was Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) in 16:23. Further details of what to expect on the day at www.rathfarnham5krun.ie
