Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Munster Novice, U23 and Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships, Cooraclare. A large number of Limerick athletes travelled to West Clare for one of the largest events in the Munster Athletics calendar.

Limerick AC again performed strongly with medals also for Dooneen, Emerald and Limerick. Conditions were sunny, underfoot conditions good, with testing up and down hills through fields, a true test of endurance.

At U10 Anna Murphy (14) Alana Ryan (23), Carragh Treacy (24) and Sadhb Corrigan (52) helped Limerick AC to the team Bronze medal.

In the Boys U10 event Ciaran McLaughlin (West Limerick) was best Limerick finishers in 26th.

At U12 Eva McMahon had an excellent run to finish in 6 th place for Dooneen with Crea Moore of Limerick AC just 2 seconds back in 7 th place for Limerick AC. As both girls were in the top 8 all featured on the podium and also qualify for the National finals.

The best Limerick finish of the day saw Killian Coman of Limerick AC take the Silver Medal in the Boys U12 just 1 second behind the winner David Keane of Ennis Track. Clubmate Rian Kiely Keogan was 4th, just 3 seconds further back.

Clubmates Jack Ryan (14th) and Tom Keogh (26th) helped Limerick AC to the first placed team and also qualify for the National finals in Kilkenny.

Conor Hayes of West Limerick (18th) and Oisin McGuinnes (LAC) helped make Limerick the 3rd placed County team and also qualify for the Nationals.

In the Boys U14 John Farrell (Limerick AC) qualified for the Nationals in Gowran Kilkenny next month with a 12th place finish.

At U16 Ella Grace Osborne of Dooneen was 22nd at for Dooneen in the Girls with clubmates Sophie Meaney (24th), Catherine McCutcheon and Rhiannon Heng making Dooneen the 6th-placed club.

Sarah Butler ran very well to finish as the 9 th Junior for Dooneen and also ‘goes to Kilkenny’. Rachel Hosey, representing Emerald took the Bronze Medal as the 3rd placed U23 Woman.

In the Boy’s U18 Aaron Lynch was 12 th for Junior for West Limerick AC with Jason Cardoso 21st for Limerick AC and Alan McCutcheon of Dooneen 22nd. Derek Kiely was 23rd for Limerick AC in the Men’s Novice.

Well done to everyone, new and experienced in provincial competition, also to coaches and volunteers.

Dromtrasna 5K/10K Challenge

The 9th annual Dromtrasna Challenge took place in Abbeyfeale last Saturday. Weather was ideal with warm conditions and little or no wind. The route is fast with long level and downhill stretches coupled with some challenging uphill sections.

The 10K provided a competitive race with Brian Lenihan taking the Lyons Family Perpetual Cup, with a superb time of 35.10, followed closely by Karl Lenihan and Martin Dineen in 35.32 and 36.06. The ladies 10K was also competitive with Jane O'Connor taking the Flannery Family Perpetual Cup in a time of 43.58 with Kate Murray 2 nd (44.51) and Katie Daly 3rd in 49.29.

The 5K was won by Padraig O Donnell in a time of 18.15 with Garvin Lyons 2 nd (20:56) and James Riordan 3 rd (21:12). Caoimhe McGrath was first lady in 20.54. 22.48 and 23.40 saw EavanLyons and Jean Costello finish 2nd and 3rd.

More important than times or podiums however was the fact this event was held in aid of Milford Hospice, a ‘cause’ that affects
every family. Well done to all who contributed.

Parkrun
Shona Keane was first overall in a time of 19:26 at UL.

Couch to 5K
West Limerick have had a huge response with 80-90 participants in the first 4 weeks of the programme at the new Regional Athletics Hub.

International
Dymphna Ryan has been selected on the Irish Team (F40) for the forthcoming Home Countries Masters Cross-Cuntry International in Glasgow with Niall O’Callaghan a reserve.

Fixtures
The 42nd edition of the Dublin Marathon takes place next Sunday 29th October where a large contingent from Limerick will travel to participate and to support.

The Munster Senior, Junior and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country takes place on 12th November in Two-Mile-Borris, Co. Tipperary.

Tip of the Week

"Try to get some direct sunlight, as early in the morning as possible, for as many days as possible over the coming months. This will help to regulate your circadian rhythm and help to minimise the risk of seasonal affective disorder, which will in turn indirectly improve your running performance."