Midleton AC Senior Section Monday 14^th May

News Review - by Peter Gunning - Joint P.R.O

 After weeks of anticipation, preparation and perspiration it all came good on the night and our main event of the year, The Joe Hourigan 5-miler was one of which Joe himself would have been justifiably proud. From the time entries opened at 5pm on Tuesday evening until Marc picked up the last mile-marker late on Thursday night the concerted effort of our club committee under the expert stewardship of race director, John Cashman was evidence to all that our club has one of the finest races on the road-running calendar. The race itself was a classic with Bantry AC’s and former winner of the Cork City Marathon, Alan O’Shea hitting the line in 25:00 flat. Eagle’s Sinéad Ní Chonchubhair took the ladies title in 29:29.

The five-hundred strong field included 110 of our own members. John Hennessy led the Midleton team home in 28:28 with Darragh Canavan and Kevin Smith in his slipstream both comfortably finishing under the 29-minute mark. Adam Duchnicz recorded a PB in breaking the 30 minute barrier. Kieran Mulcahy, Nigel Carroll, Mike Dolphin, Emmett Rohan and Brian Cott also finished in the business end of the race. Great running too from Cork marathon-bound Barry Aherne and Don Ryan. Michelle Kenny’s progress continues on an upward spiral as she ran well under 35 minutes to lead our ladies. Amongst them were several category prize winners including, Helen Gilroy, Margaret Jones, Mary O’Keeffe, Elaine Hennessy, Margaret Barry, Margaret Rohan and Joan Hough. Our men were also up and down from the dizzy heights of the podium with John Hennessy, Tom Cody, Stan Bychecz  all heading home wearing various shades of gold, silver and bronze.  It was a terrific night  for which plaudits are extended not only to John Cashman and the committee but to all athletes who took part or who selflessly gave of their time to steward, cater and support. At the post-race post-mortem in The Maple your praises were duly sung! (nice running here too from Brian McCarthy!)

Tom Cody was among the prize winners again at the Drimoleague Festival 5k last Monday taking 1^st 0-50. Tom’s time of 19:48 saw him finish eighth overall and had the organisers demanding a birth certificate.  Michelle Kenny was the first lady home with Mags Twohig also picking up a prize. West Cork too saw a terrific performance from Kevin Smith who finished  6^th overall in a highly competitive Bandon 10k last Saturday. Well done too to Marion Cronin and Caitlin O’Mahony who finished in commendable times in the half-marathon event at the same venue. Mary Toher completed the Limerick marathon three weeks after running the same distance in Brighton. Mary O’Mahony also ran in Limerick notching up a sixth marathon finish. Sincere congratulations to the two Marys.

The Pfizers 6 Miler was run last week on a miserable night in Ringaskiddy. Again there were some terrific performances from several of our club members. At the risk of an onset of reader déjà vu, Tom Cody took yet another first! Helen Gilroy, Stan Bychecz and Mary O’Keeffe also left this BHAA  event with gear-bags bulging with category prizes.

With three weeks to go to the Cork City Marathon several of our athletes are pushing up the mileage in anticipation. Please contact John, Edmund or Sally if you are taking part, particularly if this will be your first marathon or if you are entering a club relay team. That said it will be hard to beat “Guess Who’s the Granny?” for a team name this year. We are still guessing ladies.

Training continues as usual at the CBS on Mondays at 6.30pm and from the Community Centre on Tuesdays at 7pm. Check the blog for updates and news of races. Until next time... keep on running.