Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

Limerick County 4-Mile Road Championships

CONDITIONS were perfect as Kilmallock and played host to the County Road Championships and Limerick Race Series.

When action got underway Bilboa’s Declan Moore took victory for the third year in a row with a resounding victory.

His time of 19:36 was 37 seconds clear of 2022 winner Niall Shanahan of An Bru. Niall O’Callaghan, of West Limerick, took third place on 21:08. In fourth was Niall O’Riordan (An Bru) 21:17, with 5th Aaron Lynch 21:21.

Dooneen’s Alan McCutcheon a newcomer to senior ranks took the Novice title and was an excellent sixth in 21:27. Clubmate Cian Aherne was second.

The Senior Men’s Team title went to West Limerick AC on 28pts, (Niall O’Callaghan 3rd, Aaron Lynch 6th, Karl Lenihan 9th, Mike Sheehy 11th; 2nd Dooneen 51 pts, 3rd 188pts, Dooneen were Novice winners.

Bilboa Pamela Kirby made it a ‘Bilboa double’ as she took the Senior Women’s title in 25:39. Dooneen’s Sinead McDermott ensured she could never relax coming second in 25:45, Grace O’Donnell completed the podium on 26:16.

Fourth Clare Coleman 26:38, 5th Kate Twohig 26:43. Dooneen through Sinead McDermott, Clare Coleman, Anne MacPhail and Kate Twohig took the Senior Women’s Team title with West Limerick second.

Novice first Pamela Kirby, second Sinead McDermott, F40 Pamela Kirby. F50 Louise Matthews 28:11 M60. Joe Chawke 27:01, Kevin O’Donoghue 27:04, Kate Murray 27:45, Tony McMahon 28:26, Carmel MacDomhnaill 35:10, Aogan MacDomhnaill 24:22.

Thanks to Kilmallock AC for again being excellent hosts and to Timmy Crowe, Myrunresults.com and Justrace.ie

National U20 and U23 Track and Field Championships

Dooneen’s Destiny Lawal was third in the U20 60m Sprint (7.58) and fifth in the 200m. Clubmate Leagh Moloney was second in the both the U20 Long Jump (5.23m) and Triple Jump (11.18).

Emerald’s Sarah Butler was fifth in the U23 800m in 2:18:16. Held in Abbotstown, well done to all.

Around the Country

Well done to Kilmallock’s Liz Leonard who completed the Tralee 50K Ultra Marathon. Katarzyna Bobka, of An Bru, was second female in a excellent time of 4:00:05. She was also the overall winner of the Fedamore GAA 5K series with Louise Matthews winning on the night.

Tiyaa Coughlan, of Castletroy College, and Limerick AC was 42nd in All Ireland Schools Cross Country Junior Girls race last weekend.

History

Sean O’Sullivan from Tournafulla holds the record for the most County road titles with eight titles in total, the last of which came in 1972.

Tip of the week

"Consistency is possibly the most important principle in any training programme. It is always better
to train at 80% of your capacity week on week, than it is to regularly have to pull back from training
at maximal capacity." - Mike Carmody

Discussion - “How important are long runs before a marathon for the experienced marathon runner?” – Karen Raine

News
Dooneen AC have announced the completion of the purchase of their 5.26 acre site in Mungret.

Plans include development of an Indoor Training Facility and 300m Running Track.

Kevin O’Donoghue is Fundraising for Parkinsons Disease Ireland by running the Limerick marathon in memory of his mother Nora who died of the disease. Anyone who wishes to donate can find details on Eventmaster or the West Limerick Facebook Page.

Fixtures

The Michael Rejmer 10 Mile hosted by Dooneen AC takes place Sunday, April 13 at 11:00am from Limerick Racecourse. Entries via Eventmaster (€20, or €15 per person for the new 2x5 mile relay).

5k Fun Run in Aid of Parkinson's Ireland. Mary Ita O'Connor, West Limerick AC club member and friend, is organising a 5km charity fun run in Newcastle West in aid of Parkinson's Ireland.

We would encourage everyone to come along as it promises to be a great day out for all the family while supporting a fantastic cause. Location: The Demesne, Newcastle West; Date: Sunday,  April 13.  Time: 11am. Cost: €15 adults, €5 children, €30 family. Registration on the day from 9.30am in Newcastle West Community Centre.  You can also register in advance by donating online. Keep an eye on our social media for details on how to donate.

Mary Ita was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2002. She is a member of West Limerick AC, runs regularly at Limerick Regional Athletics Hub and participates in the weekly parkrun in Newcastle West. She featured in the RTÉ programme "Big Life Fix" in
2024 and was presented with a new rollator, which has greatly helped her with her running.

Limerick GAA is a huge part of her life where she supports both club and county. Her attitude to her condition is . . . "I have it. Get on with it" 

The Limerick County Track and Field Championship has been confirmed for weekend of May 11-12 in Newcastle West.

The Ger Mullane 5km and 10km Memorial Run takes place on Friday, June 13 in Bilboa.

The inaugural Limerick Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, August 3, 9:00am at TUS, Old Cratloe Road. Part of the Run Limerick Series. Entries available via Eventmaster.