National Masters Indoors
Many of Galway’s top Masters were in action at the National Masters Indoor Track and Field championships held in the Athlone IT Arena on Sunday last.
It was a golden day for GCH athlete Kathryn Casserly who produced one of the performances of the day in winning the Ladies 3000m in a season’s best time of 10.14. Casserly went to the front with five laps to go and stormed home to a commanding victory. Later in the day she ran the anchor leg for the GCH ladies relay squad who secured a superb silver medal in the 4*200m relay, with Majella Loftus, Jean O Connor and Sonya King all combining well to claim second place. Loftus and O Connor also won individual medals, with the former claiming bronze in the O45 200m in a new PB of 30.81 and O Connor claiming bronze in the V35 800m. Margaret Higgins of Corofin AC won an amazing five titles- with victories in the V60 age class in the 60m, 400m, Shot, Long Jump and High Jump , while Patricia Monaghan of Tuam claimed gold in the V55 ladies Shot Putt .
Martin McEvilly of GCH once again showed his class on the track, as he took double gold in the Men’s V65 1500m and 3000m with a great display of endurance running, winning two races in an hour. Peter O Sullivan ran from the front in the O40 1500m and held on to take a hard-earned silver medal clocking 4.22.
In the field, Tommy Farragher of Corofin AC returned to action with double silver – in the Shot Putt and Weight throw events at V65 level, while Richard O Hanlon of GCH took silver in the V60 Shot putt with a throw of 11.22 metres.
Intervarsities Cross Country
NUIG athletes put in some strong performances at the Intervarsities Cross country championships on a very muddy course in Abbotstown, Dublin, last Saturday, in a race featuring a number of Irish internationals, across a very high quality field. NUIG club captain Andrew O’Donnghaile led the Men’s team home in 13th with a late charge through the field, placing ahead of team mates Damien Landers 22nd, Michael Flanagan in 78th, and Brendan Joy in 80th. In the ladies’ event, Niamh Hennelly as always ran very strongly, placing an excellent 16th overall, while Grainne Kelly finished in a fine 29th place on her debut for the college.
Kinvara 10k/Half Marathon
Last weekend saw the seventh edition of the ever popular Kinvara Rock and Road 10k and Half Marathon events, with well over a thousand athletes taking part in both races.
Louis McCarthy of Rathfarnham AC had a comfortable win in the 10km, clocking 31.45 for a clear victory over Anthony Sharkey in second and John McHugh third. First lady home was Siobhan Egan of GCH in 39.01, with Tara Whyte of Clonliffe Harriers second and third placed lady was Helen Reid.
In the half marathon, Lithuanian international Valdas Dopalskas won the race easily, in a time of 68.47, with Brian Furey of Rathfarnham AC second and Dariusz Monkewiecz third.
First lady over the line was Isobel Oakes in 84.22; just seconds ahead of Jane Ann Healy of Athenry AC in a very close finish, with GCH’s Grainne Ni Uallachain third home in 1hr 28 mins.
Fixtures
Irish Schools Cross Country
The Irish Schools Cross country finals will be held in Mallusk, Co. Antrim on Saturday next , and numerous Galway schools will have teams and individuals competing. At Senior level the likes of Gary Martyn (Galway Community College), Eanna Folan (Colaiste na Coiribe), Aine O’Farrell (Pres Athenry) and Aoife King (PC Headford) will look to impress and possibly secure a Schools International berth, while Thomas McStay and Aaron Brennan (Claregalway) will aim to finish in the top ten at Intermediate Boys level. Presentation Athenry under the expert guidance of Kathryn Casserly will be aiming for good performances across the team categories.
Abbey 8km
The 5th running of the Abbey 8km race takes place around the village of Abbey on Sunday 12th of March next at 12 noon. There are prizes for all categories and a souvenir t-shirt for all entrants. It will be chip timed. The event is open to all levels of runners and walkers. Registration will be also available in the Community Centre on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
