Limerick Athletics - Weekly news update

Athletics Limerick St Stephen’s Day 10k

THE weather gods shone and they also did on Niall Shananahan as he took victory in the Athletics Limerick St Stephen's Day 10K in Caherdavin.

His time of 31:53 was nearly a minute clear of second-placed Colm Turner, home from Dublin for Christmas on 32:46. Stephen Mahon completed the prizes on 33:52.

There was a Dooneen clean sweep of the women’s honours with Shona Keane taking first in a time of 38:36. Clubmate Tracey Johnson was second in 40:44 with Tanya Cox third in a PB time of 40:56.

Selected others Kieran O’Brien Dooneen 36:10, Karol Downey (West Limerick) 39:10, Tom Madden & Sharon Goldsmith (Country Club) 50:15 and 52:56, Verena Tarpey and son Alan McCutcheon crossed the line together 56:20.

Some 144 entries were sold which represents an increase on previous years and shows the demand for festive running in Limerick. Well done and thanks to Joe Laffan, Joe Chawke, Mossie Woulfe and all who helped make it a success.

Also on St Stephen’s Day, Dooneen juvenile Cormac Clancy was first overall in the Croom GAA 5k in a PB 17.54, well done Cormac!

Shandrum AC 5K

Killian Lynch, of West Limerick, took first place in North Cork in a time of 15:50 with his brother Aaron, home from Brighton, second on 16:32. Dooneen's Ben Emes was fourth in 17:03 with Sam Hand of Kilmallock fifth 17:33

Moreabbey Milers 1 Mile Challenge, Galbally

Mark Carmody, of An Bru, was second in Galbally in a time of 4:50, behind winner Kevin Moore of Dundrum in 4:4. Bilboa’s Sean Quirke was third on 5:03, others Gerry Prendergast - An Bru 5:51, Sean O’Leary Dooneen 5:22.

Around the Country

Killian Lynch was first home in the Knockaderry FC 7K, followed by Aaron Lynch and in third place Padraig O'Donnell. First lady home was Tara Carr followed closely by Catherine Doody in second female place.

Farranfore 5k

Declan Guina 15:52, Aogan MacDomhnaill 16:53, John Fitzgerald 17:50.

Around the Country- Juvenile

Despite it being the Christmas holidays, a number of dedicated Dooneen athletes travelled to Athlone to compete in the Northwest Games in Athlone.  Congratulations to Destiny Lawal who won the U16 and U18 60m sprint, and the U16 200m!

Special mention to Niamh Hynes, who came fourth but got a PB in the 400m and took two seconds off her time in the same event last year!

At middle distance,  Ella Grace Osborne and Ivana Oscar Roll both won gold medals in their middle distance events. Also competing was Jack and Ruadhan Crowley, Oisin Garvey. Well done to all!

Parkrun

Well done to Bilboa’s Kevin Broughton who completed his 50th Parkrun at Mungret last Saturday! Kevin Dawson made it to the 100 mark at UL.

1979

John Battles, of Dooneen AC, was the recipient of a Munster Star award for the tremendous performances in the Munster Championships, where he won the Long Jump, Triple Jump and was runner up at the High Jump.

Fixtures

The ‘Run Limerick Series’ starts in 2025 with the Castleconnell 5K on 19 th January with the County 4 Mile on March 16 in the South Liberties.

The Michael Rejmer 10 mile 2025 hosted by Dooneen AC is now open for entries on Eventmaster. Early Bird entry is just €20, a new 4 and 6 mile relay category has been added and entry is €15 per person. It takes place on Sunday, April 13 at
11am from Limerick Racecourse

Training Tip

“Use the first few weeks of the year to clearly plot out what you would like to achieve in 2025. Let these goals be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound” – Mike Carmody