Big wins in Scariff for Rodgers and Colleran

SCARIFF Community Council held their fifth annual 10k road race sponsored by Derg Credit Union, in Aid of Raheen Community Hospice and Scariff Community College Athletics track, on Sunday.

Almost 300 athletes participated and the big winners were Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track), winning for the fourth year in-a-row, and Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s).

The starter was well-known Irish International handballer Diarmuid Nash the 2006 World U-15 champion. The big field set out at a very good pace and on the down hill stretch after 2k, four athletes made a decisive break, Damian Landers and Kenneth Rodgers (both St John’s), Declan Moore (Bilboa AC) and Julio Cesear F Castro (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).

These four set a blistering pace for 1k of 3mins flat with Willie Devitt (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) working hard along with his clubmate Keith Lynch and Joseph Money making good progress in the chasing group. The leaders went through the 2k mark in 6:06.

At the 3k point, Kenneth Rodgers and Julio Cesear F Castro made a very big move and Damian Landers was coming under pressure along with Declan Moore as they faced into a very tough hill going towards the 5k mark mark.

It was here that Kenneth Rodgers made a big move and he was full of running on the downhill stretch and crossed the finishing line in a time of 31:40 with Julio Cesear F Castro second in 33:11. There was a great battle for third spot with Declan Moore taking the bronze spot in 34:12 followed by Damian Landers (34:57) Joseph Mooney BMOH (35:31) and Willie Devitt (35:33).

The ladies’ race was a much closer affair. From the start, Marie Triona Keane (Tullamore Harriers) set out very hard along with Breda Lynch (Dooneen AC)  with the three in-a-row champion and title holder Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) having a slow start along with Eimear Power (Sportsworld). 

They went through the 2k mark in 7:45 and over the next 3k, Veronica Colleran and Marie Triona Keane changed positions.

With 2k to go, Veronica Colleran edged in front and just held on to take her fourth title in-a-row in 38:23 with Marie Triona Keane (38:37) in second place. There was a great battle for third with Breda Lynch taking it in 40:37 from Eimear Power (40:56).

Results
Men
1. Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s) (31:40); 2. Julio Cesear F Castro (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (33:11); 3. Declan Moore Bilboa (34.12); 4. Damian Landers (St John’s) (34:57).
Ladies
1. Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) (38:23); 2. Marie Triona Keane (38:37); 3. Breda Lynch (Dooneen) (40:37); 4. Eimear Power Sportsworld (40:56).

 

Huge entry expected for Doonbeg Half Marathon

THE second annual Declan Hayes Memorial and Doonbeg Half Marathon and 10k Fun Run and Walk will take place in Doonbeg this Saturday starting at 10am with the half-marathon walkers followed by the half marathon and 10k runners and walkers at 11am.

All proceeds will go towards three charities, Suicide Aware, Kilkee Marine Rescue, and Clare Children with Autism.

There will be a registration evening this Friday at Doonbeg GAA Club house from 7 to 9pm and again on Saturday morning in Doonbeg Community Centre from 9am to 10 am. More information is available from Claire Greene at 086 2620688.

The race will start in Doonbeg village and head out the Kilkee Road, turning right via Baltard National School on the way back to Doonbeg Village, then out the Mountrivers Road –Miltown Malbay Road making its way through Doonbeg Golf Course before finishing in the village.

Among the special guests expected to attend are Kilkenny hurling great DJ Carey (Kilkenny), Davy Fitzgerald (Clare hurling manager) and Noel Hunt Irish International and Reading soccer player.

Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) is among the favourites along with Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s), Julio Cesear F Castro (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare), Keith White (Ennis Track) and James Liddane (BMOH).

In the masters’ section, James Kenny and Tom Mackey (both Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) will be expected to do well.

Battling for the ladies’ title will be Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) along with Tracy Roche (Dooneen), Tracy Guilfoyle (Kilnaboy), Loretta Duggan (St Mary’s) with Maura Falsey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) leading the masters’ challenge.

Fixtures
September
8. The second Annual Declan Hayes Doonbeg Half Marathon and 10k Fun Run and Walk in Doonbeg starting at 10am with the Half Marathon Walk race starts at 11am.
12. The Lions Club Shannon 10k Run/Walk at the leisure centre starting at 7pm. (contact Tony McMahon 087 2359277.
14. Clare Athletics Association annual general meeting at the Auburn Lodge Hotel starting at 8.30pm.
19. Munster Schools Combined Events at RSA Waterford.    
21. Ennis Track Twilight Fun Run and Walk in the Lees Road Ennis starting at 7.30pm.

Shannon Lions Club 10k road race and fun walk

THE second annual Lions Club Shannon 10k Road Race and 10k fun walk will take place on Wednesday next in Shannon with a starting time of 7pm.

Race entries will be taken in the Shannon Leisure Centre or participants can register with Run Ireland.com.

There will be an entry fee, which will work out cheaper for those who enter before September 8

The event is in aid of Shannon Lions Club, which supports charitable and community organisations in Shannon, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Cratloe and Bunratty.

A big entry is expected and local athlete James McIntyre who runs with BMOH will be among the leading contenders along with Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy), Brian Murphy, Brian McGinley (Ennis Track) and James Liddane (BMOH). 

Contesting the masters titles will be Mike Cunningham (Bilboa), Tom Mackey, James Kenny (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) and Pat Hogan (Ennis Track).

In the ladies’ race, Clare athlete Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track Club), who is in great form at present, will be fancied to do well along with Marian Burke (St Mary’s), Aishling Power (Ennis Track), Loretta Duggan (St Mary’s) and Lorna O’Neill (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).