Leinster marathon medals for Shanley, O’Reilly and McLoughlin
Le Cheile athletes competing in the IUAA Road Relays (L to R) Saoirse Reynolds (UCD), Keely Hogan (TUD), Oran Poole (MU) Dylan Hanratty (MU) Photo: Le Cheile AC
With the National Championships imminent, one would expect that athletics the week prior to the big event, to experience somewhat of a lull in terms of the usual activity. However sandwiched between the Leinster and All-Ireland Cross-County fixtures are several events, which have found something of a home with that particular date.
For starters the Irish University Relays – one of the most popular university athletics fixtures creeps in with its exciting foray of multi distance relay legs. Then there was the announcement of the Leinster marathon results, where Terry Shanley took sliver in the men’s over 35, Sinead O’Reilly (St Coca’s) secured a bronze in the ladies over 40 section and Patricia McLoughlin (Le Cheile) took bronze in the over 45s. Meanwhile in Leeds the Home Countries Masters Cross-country international took place.
The Irish University Road Relays are a firm favourite on the university racing calendar. Hosted annually in Maynooth, they attract hundreds of participants from universities across the country. For some, this is their entry into the world of competitive athletics. Several teams from each institution take part, affording ample opportunity for all to participate.
Hosted by Maynooth University, the Kildare venue posed as a convenient racing opportunity for college going athletes from Kildare clubs. The ladies traditionally compete in a four leg relay over 1-2-2-1 miles, while the men compete in a five leg relay over 1-2-3-2-1 miles.
While none of the athletes featured on winning teams this year, there were several notable performances – in particular Maebh Caffrey (St Coca’s) who represented Maynooth. Running the one mile anchor leg, Caffrey clocked the second fastest time of the day. Only Irish u23 European representative Emma Moore (DCU) posted a faster time. Her gallant effort saw her Maynooth team elevated four positions to 19th.
Evelyn Coughlan competed for Trinity College Dublin as part of her “one year down” entitlement. Coughlan, the third runner on the team completed her two mile effort in 11.34 which was the third fastest in her section of the race and the fifth fastest over all for both two mile legs. Her Trinity College team finished fourth thanks to her excellent run where she overtook University College Galway and the UCD B team.
Competing with UCD where she is completing her masters degree Saoirse Reynolds has shown considerable improvement in her running this year. The Le Cheile AC athlete was promoted to the UCD B team just this week. This was one of four teams that participated from the college in the ladies relay. Reynolds kick started the team with the one mile distance, passing the baton to her team mate Edel McCreery in 8th place. The team ultimately finished 6th thanks to a storming run by their anchor runner Aoibhinn McCormack. Aoife Dempsey (Naas AC) competed with the Trinity D team that finished 22nd. It was DCU that took the women’s gold with UCC second and UCD third. Thirty-three ladies teams were listed on the programme.
Three Le Cheile athletes took part in the men’s relays: Dylan Hanratty (Maynooth), Oran Poole (Maynooth) and Keely Hogan (TUD). The men’s event was dominated by the University of Limerick as they finished a full minute ahead of second placed team the University of Galway. DCU finished third.
Running the anchor leg for the Maynooth C team was Dylan Hanratty. Despite getting somewhat overcome by the heavily puddled final corner, Hanratty managed to hold off a late challenge from Galway’s Tom Perry to dip at the line and take his team to 15th place. Also competing for Maynooth was Oran Poole who stepped up from his normal sprinting distances to the one mile event. Quiet a considerable jump in distance. Keely Hogan (another sprinter) also stepped up to the one mile mark as he anchored the TUD D team to 29th place finish. Thirty-nine teams were listed on the programme to compete, accounting for one-hundred and ninety-five male participants.
The Dublin City Marathon serves multiple purposes: the main event (the Dublin marathon itself), the National Marathon and the Leinster Marathon. Some counties even incorporate a county section. For three Kildare competitors this week, there was exciting news as Athletics Leinster announced the results of the Leinster marathon. Terry Shanley (Clane AC) had an incredible race to finish finished 37th overall and 7th in the national over 35 category. His Leinster silver in the over 35s was a welcome bonus as the Clane AC athlete recorded an excellent time of 2:29.39 for his marathon efforts. The Leinster winner was Timmy Murphy (Mullingar) with Wayne Waldron (Donore) in third.
Sinead O’Reilly (St Coca’s) was the first Kildare lady home on the day. She took bronze in the Leinster over 40 section. O’Reilly dipped under the three hour mark with a finishing time of 2:59:13. The gold went to Fiona Stack (Raheny) with Olivia Sexton (Portmarnock) in second.
Patricia McLoughlin has a phenomenal reputation over the ultra-distance events with the 26 miles that is the marathon, rather paltry compared to some of the distances she has run. The somewhat shorter distance did not deter from the welcome news of her bronze medal in the Leinster over 45 marathon. Her time of 3:02.32 was just outside a sub 3 effort. The winner of the Leinster over 45 race was Noreen Brounder (Sportsworld) with Sarah Baryga (Bray) in second.
The masters home countries cross-country international was held in Leeds last weekend where the Irish ladies won the overall ladies cup. Three Kildare athletes were listed as non-travelling reserves: Gillian Clyne (Clane) and Michelle Cox (Newbridge) in the over 40 ladies and Emma Boland (Newbridge) in the over 45 ladies. As all ladies lined out for duty, their presence was not required. It is hoped that next year might see the three Kildare ladies make the squad, being so close on this occasion.
This coming Sunday is the first of two national cross-country championships. The juvenile even ages and the u20s, u23s and senior athletes will all contest their respective races with European cross-country places up for grabs in the u20, 23 and senior sections. Aiming to repeat his success of last year in the men’s race is Keelin Kilrehil (Sligo) while Niamh Allen (Leevale) and last year’s champion Ann-marie McGlynn will go head to head in the ladies. Kildare has over thirty athletes that will make the long trip to Derry with many qualifying as part of the Leinster team.
