Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

Munster Intermediate and Juvenile B Cross Country Championships

THE curtain came down on the Munster Cross Country season in Clare last Sunday as St Flannan’s School played host to the Munster Intermediate and Juvenile B Cross Country Championships. This event was open to all those who didn’t medal in the Munster A Championships.

Some minor adjustments were made to the course due to the wrath of Storm Darragh. This didn’t hinder the Limerick athletes who produced excellent runs had several coveted Munster medals for company on their journey home.

Ava O’Toole, of Bilboa AC, ran brilliantly to take the Girls U9 Bronze medal in a time of 2:48, just two seconds off top spot. Ciara Galvin, of West Limerick AC, was fifth with Fiadh Quaid, also West Limerick 19^th.

Conal Redmond, of Limerick AC, took a bronze medal in the Boys U11 with clubmate Jake O’Connor fifth. Tom Lynch (20^th) and Rory McDonnell (40^th) helped Limerick AC to the team Gold medal. Finn O’Connell and Rory Hayes (West Limerick) helped Limerick to the team Bronze Medal.

At U13 Girls Lara Regan very strongly throughout to take 9th for Dooneen. Alex Sullivan was sixth for West Limerick in the Boys race.

In the U15 Girls Dooneen’s Caoilinn Crowley, running ‘out of age’ was seventh for much of the race before a sprint finish saw her up to fifth place at the finish.

Ruadhan Crowley also running out of age took first place for Dooneen in the U17 Boys with Patrick Mulcahy fifth for West Limerick.

For An An Bru’s Daire O’Dwyer finished off a great year with a 15^th place finish in the Boys U15.

Well done to all athletes who can be proud of their efforts this year. Wishing you all a happy Christmas.

Intermediate

At Intermediate Sean Quirke took a brillant Bronze Medal for Bilboa in a time of 29:24. Derek Kiely was fifth for Limerick AC with Denis Lawton 13^th, Damien Tracey 20^th and Sean Walsh 21^st helping Limerick AC to the team Bronze medal on 59pts.

Well done to all athletes who can be proud of their efforts this year. Wishing you all a happy Christmas.

Newmarket 5K Classic

Duhallow AC hosted this sold out event in North Cork for the 26^th time. On a flat course it featured some of the provinces top names and produced some exceptionally fast times.

Won by Michael Power of West Waterford in 14:34, first Limerick man home was Niall Shanahan of An Bru, 6^th in 14:53. The Women’s race was won by Shona Heaslip of An Riocht in 15:53 with Ide Nic Domhnaill of West Limerick taking the ‘Silver Medal’ in 16:23.

Conor O’Brien was West Limerick man home, 26^th in 15:45. Other excellent times included Padraig O’Connell 16:34, Mike Sheehy 16:46, Grace O’Donnell 19:31, Carmel MacDomhnaill 27:10, Mike MacDomhnaill 28:42 and Kate Downes 24:02 - all West Limerick.

Dooneen’s Alan McCutcheon came close to a PB, crossing the line on 16:37 with clubmate Ben Emes just behind on 16:49. Shona Keane was first F40 in 18:40 with other ‘Dooneeners’ Seamus McCarthy and Joe Chawke home in 18:01 and 20:11 respectively. Joe McCormack 25:04, Tony McMahon 21:09 - both Kilmallock.

Parkrun

Dooneen’s Kieran O’Brien was fastest in a gusty Mungret on Saturday in a time of 18:18, one of two to go ahead in Limerick last Saturday. Limerick AC’s Susan Murnane was fastest woman in equally windswept UL in 21:04.

Training Tip

“Keep Training consistent, apart from races” – Joe Chawke

Fixtures

The Athletics Limerick 10K takes place on St Stephen Day at 12 noon from Caherdavin Community Centre, entry is €15 on Eventmaster or €20 on the day.

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

At the County Board AGM, it was agreed that Mossie Woulfe will continue as Chairman for 2025.