Midleton AC – Senior Section News



There is lots of activity on the horizon with July promising to be the busiest month of the year on the road scene. The addition of several new races has ensured a packed summer fixture list and this is particularly evident during the next few weeks.



Before we look ahead, let’s look back at some of the highlights from the last month or so.



Cork Marathon Review


Kevin Smith and Shane Cooney ran almost stride for stride for much of this month’s Cork City Marathon, before Kevin pushed on near the end to cross the line in 2:58:46 with Shane coming soon behind in 2:59:25. The guys deserve a huge word of congratulations for breaking the magical 3 hour mark. Many runners strive to reach this land mark but only a small percentage of these succeed. Both had put in the necessary preparation for the big day with Kevin having used the Limerick Marathon as a warm up for the Cork event and Shane who missed the Connemara Marathon topping up his training for the Cork race.



Unfortunately Kevin’s time did not appear on the classified results as he lost his timing chip along the way. Hopefully after putting his case to the powers that be the situation can be rectified in the near future.



Elsewhere Mick Murk Murphy made an impressive debut over the distance crossing the line in 3:36:52, whilst Fergal O’Meara, Ned Ramsell, Adam Duchnicz and Vincent O’Neill all came home comfortably under the 4 hour mark. Kevin Morrisson followed up his exploits in Paris with another very solid run just over the 4 hour mark whilst Mary B Walsh who produced a big finish and Mary Toher kept the ladies flag flying for their performances. Congratulations to one and all!



As for the relay event we had a host of representatives on a variety of teams. Despite the inclement weather conditions, reports indicate that all enjoyed the occasion and no doubt many will be back again nest year. Well done to all!



Glanmire Success

On a damp evening over 300 took part in the Glanmire ‘5’ recently. It proved a very successful occasion for our club with numerous individual and team honours captured.
Prize winners were Michelle Nolan (2nd overall after another superb run – 31:32), Sally Drennan – 1st Over 40, Joan Hough – 1st Over 50, Margaret Barry – 1st Over 60, Donal Broderick – 2nd Over 40, John Cashman – 2nd Over 45, Edmond O’Sullivan 3rd – Over 45, Neilus Aherne – 2nd Over 50 and John O’Halloran – 3rd Over 55.
Midleton AC runners had also great success in team events with our members on the honours list with Midleton UDC, Flexible Connectors, Department of Education and Midleton News teams. Congrats to all!



John Buckley Sports 5K

Conditions were much different as over 600 athletes made their way around the lively 2 lap Marina Road route for the 26th annual John Buckley Sports 5K. On a really warm evening our club had it’s customary large entry for the event, with many of our members clocking a personal best time for the distance. Philip Mullane, Brian Kenneally, John Carey, Edmond O’Sullivan, Marc Dalton and new signing Mickey O’Connell (who produced a superb 18:37 on his debut over the distance) were amongst our men to enjoy excellent performances. Susan Delaney, Margaret Twohig and Ber Twomey were amongst our ladies contingent to impress.



As for the prize giving ceremony some familiar names were again on the podium, including Michelle Nolan (5th lady overall), Donal Broderick (3rd Over 40), Neilus Aherne (2nd Over 50) and Sally Drennan (2nd Over 40). All of these athletes had to produce their very best form to make the honours list as the event proved a very competitive race.

Dunmanway 10K

After Liverpool’s visit to Dunmanway last summer, the local sporting public had the banners and buntings out again to welcome a very big entry for the inaugural 10K race in the town. Midleton AC was again represented on what was one of the warmestdays of year so far. Noel O’Regan led our crew home, finishing in a splendid 9th position overall, whilst congrats are also due to Joan McCarthy who was second home in her age category, whilst husband Danny also produced a very steady run. In total there were over 25o finishers in the race.


Ballycotton Series – Race 2 – Shanagarry

The running road show moved to Shanagarry last Thursday for the second stop on the Ballycotton Summer Series. Yet again a new record was reached when over 500 went to the start line for the first time at the venue., the figure being greatly boosted by another huge Midleton AC turn out.

Noel O’Regan’s 29:16 was the stand out time on the night, but there were several other outstanding Midleton performers.

Michelle Nolan enhanced her place in the overall series with a superb 3rd placed finish. Sally Dreenan proved supreme in the Over 40’s and she was followed home by Marion Aherne who had a brilliant outing. Elaine Hennessy was second Over 50 and Margaret Barry also finished second in her age category.

The Midelton ladies team finished second behind Eagle AC.

Mickey O’Connell continues to blossom in the early days of his running career – a 31:23 finish indicating his potential. David Murphy, a member of our juvenile section followed up his Ballyandreen outing with another superb show, whilst Trevor Mahoney, Niall O’Neill, Patsy Keane and Billy O’Sullivan were amongst our other massive contingent to enjoy good races.

Courtmacsherry 10K

On Friday last Danny McCarthy and Adam Duchnicz kept the club flag flying high as they turned in good performances in the Courtmacsherry 10K race which proved a success story for the organisers.

Hectic Line Up

The fixtures just keep on coming on the roads over the few months. Holiday time means that most people will miss a few fixtures along the way but with such a packed programme of races, there will still be ample opportunity to race. In fact we are in the best region of the country when it comes to race alternatives. The East Cork region is becoming almost the running capital of the south and with the West Waterford Series and The Ballyhoura Series just over the county bounds the options and alternatives are always varied.



The following is the list of races for July. Note the new additions to the annual calendar in Macroom, Youghal, Ballinrostig and Carrigtwohill. The action begins on Thursday of this week with the AIB Macroom, Daniel Kingston Memorial race, headquarters for which is located in the Castle Grounds.







July

Thu 1 – AIB Macroom, 5K – 8pm

Fri 2 – Ballinscarthy 10K (near Clonakilty)

Wed 7 – EMC 5K – Ovens – 8pm

Thu 8 – Corkbeg 5 Miles – Whitegate – 8pm

Fri 9 – Dungarvan 5 Miles – 8pm

Fri 16th – Donoughmore 7 Miles

Sun 18 – Youghal 4 Mile – Charity Race – 2pm

Thu 22 – Ballycotton Series – Churchtown South 5 Mile – 8pm

Sun 25th – Ballinrostig 4 Mile – 12noon

Wed 28th – Carrigtwohil 5K – 8pm

Fri 30th – Kinsale Regatta 5 Mile – 8pm

Fri 30th – Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford – 5 Miles – 7.30pm



Ardmore Race

The Ardmore 5 Mile Road Race on Friday August 13th brings the curtain down on the West Waterford Summer Series. Our club colleague Kevin Smith has suggested that we might run a bus to the venue and make a social occasion out of what is always an enjoyable trip across the county bounds. What are your thoughts? - Give Kevin or Edmond O Sullivan from our social committee your views.



Book Launch

Jim McMurtry’s pictorial history of Midleton AC was launched recently at Midleton GAA Club by Cork hurler John Gardiner. The publication has met with rave reviews. Copies may still be purchased by contacting Danny McCarthy – 087 2403940 .


Track Dates

Remember the Cork City Sports will be at C.I.T this year on Saturday next July 3. A great line up of international athletes is set to participate. Also our own juvenile club will host their annual Open Sports at Midleton CBS on Sunday July 18th at the CBS Grounds, whilst the next opportunity to take part in the Cork County Board Graded Summer events is on Monday July 12 commencing 7pm at CIT.

Training

Remember the regular training sessions – Monday 6pm at Midleton CBS and Tuesday – 7pm from the Community Centre.

Your Times

Just a word to all our members – due to the size of our club it is impossible to monitor individual times. If as a club member you record a personal best in any race please let P.R.O John Cashman know – and we will then let everybody else know about your achievement.



In the meantime ‘keep on running’.