Clare take bronze medals in National League final

THE Clare team won bronze medals at the National League Final, which took place in glorious sunshine in Tullamore. The young Clare team assembled against the best in the country, Tallaght AC Riocht, Galway City Harriers, Kildare County, Tipperary County, Sligo County and Olympians AC.
The competition between the teams ensured that the championships went down to the final event, which was the relays.
The first athlete to take part was David Courtney, Ennis Track, who in the men’s 110m hurdles set a new personal best of 20.18s to finish fifth. David later returned to his field event and finished second in the pole vault, clearing 2.40m and sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 9.77m.
Eamon Cleary, Shannon AC, turned in a superb performance when finishing second in the shot putt with a final throw of 10.19m. He captured third spot in the discus when he threw 29.63m.
Lunga Bulman, Marian AC, demonstrated his great versatility by finishing sixth in the long jump with a leap of 6.04m and giving a very good performance with a second-place finish in the javelin, with a throw of 46.32m.
Eighteen-year-old Mark Boland, also from Marian AC, soared over the high jump in 1.55m to finish sixth. It was clear at this stage that the track events would decide the outcome of the title and Boland produced blistering speed over 400m to finish third in 52.19s.
Cormac Lynch, Marian AC, doubled up in the 100m and 200m and demonstrated his great potential in finishing fourth in the 100m in 11.39s and sixth in the 200m in 23.04s.
Irish international athlete, Rory Chesser, Ennis Track, competing for the first time in this Clare team, was slotted in at the last minute to compete in the 400m hurdles and he finished fifth in 62.98s with Michael Keane, Ennis Track, finishing off a superb season in third place in the men’s 800m in 1.59:50.
In the middle distance races all hopes rested on Jason Fahy, Olympic Harriers, to produce a big race and he had a very solid run in the 1,500m but had to settle for third in 3.58:05.
Ennis Track’s Brian McGinley secured second place in 9.53:94 and finally it was down to the leader and team captain Brian Murphy, Ennis Track, to bring them into medals as he fought all the way in the 5,000m to finish fourth in 16.03.
One of the final events of the day was the men’s 4x100m relay and the team of Cormac Lynch, Mark Boland, Lunga Bulman and Darragh Lynch were disqualified due to a hotly disputed technical error.
The men’s 4x400m team of Mark Boland, Aidan Kearney, Ian Slobody and Rory Chesser broke another county record to finish off the day in style in second position with a time of 3.31:07.
The announcement of the results confirmed that Clare had secured their first National Senior League bronze medals on 92 points, with the gold medals going to Tallagh AC on 114 points and silver to Galway City Harriers on 98 points.

 

Rodgers and Colleran on top in Tulla

TULLA Soccer Club’s third annual 10k road race and 5k walk, raising funds for their field development and clubhouse, attracted a fine turnout of athletes and walkers.
The athletes set out over a very flat fast course on a very warm summer evening and on the first kilometre, Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s) and Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) set the pace. They produced 3.02 for that first kilometre, at which stage the field was starting to get well strung out with Aoghan MacDomhnaill (West Limerick) last year’s title holder, leading the next chasing group along with Julio Cesar F Castro, Willie Devitt (both Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare), Mike Cunningham (Bilboa) and James Liddane (Olympic Harriers).
Leaders Rodgers and Shannon went through the 5k mark in 16.10 and they were shoulder to shoulder and looking very comfortable at the 8k in 25.44.
Over the final two kilometres, these two fought out a mighty contest and at the 9k mark, Kenneth Rodgers made his break and finished strong on the home straight to add another title to the one he won in 2009 with a time of  31.47 after a mighty battle with Michael Shannon (31.55).
James Liddane, having a fine run in third spot, was followed home by Julio Cesar F Castro and last year’s title holder Aoghan MacDomhnaill.
The masters O-40 title went to Pat Hogan (Ennis Track) in 38.28 with Mike Cunningham (Bilboa) finishing sixth overall and taking the O-45 title in 35.23.
James Kenny (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) won  the O-50 in 38.01 with the O-55 title going to Tom Mackey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) in 39.50.
There was fine turnout for the ladies’ race and the early pace-setter was Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track), last year’s title holder, with Becky Coughlan, Rosemary O’Brien (both Ennis Track) and Patricia McNamara (West Limerick) all working well together as they went through the 1k mark in 3.55.
Leader Colleran was well away and running in the top 10 and she went through the 5k mark in 19.02. At this stage, she was well clear of the rest of the field. Over this flat and fast course, she produced a mighty second 5k to win with a time of 38.41.
Becky Coughlan finished very strong in second place in 43.35 and Rosemary O’Brien was a very good third in 44.45. The leading lady O-35 was Elaine McNamara (Killanena) in 52.03 with the O-40 going to Patricia McNamara (West Limerick) in 47.40 and Debbie Wilkie (Kilmaley) taking the O-45 in 48.03.

Results
Ladies
1. Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) (38.41); 2. Becky Coughlan (Ennis Track) (43.35); 3. Rosemary O’Brien (Ennis Track) (44.45); 4. Aoifa Breen (Gort) (52.07).
Masters ladies
O-35
1. Elaine McNamara (Killanena) (52.03).
O-40
1. Patricia McNamara (West Limerick) (47.40).
O-45
1. Debbie Wilkie (Kilmaley) (48.03).

Senior men
1. Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s) (31.47); 2. Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) (31.55); 3. James Liddane (Olympic Harriers) (35.08); 4. Julio Cesar F Castro (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (35.19).
Masters men
O-40
1. Pat Hogan (Ennis Track) (38.28).   
O-45
1. Mike Cunningham (Bilboa) (35.23).
O-50
1. James Kenny (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (38.01).
O-55
1. Tom Mackey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (39.50).

Emma shines at Mullagh Sports Day

THE Mullagh Show open sports attracted a fine crowd and there were many fine performances in beautiful sunshine.
The juvenile races attracted some athletes from as far away as Dublin, Laois, Kildare, Galway, Donegal, Wicklow and England. Some great doubles were recorded and the first came in the girls’ U-6 where Katie Frawley (Moy) won the 50m and 80m. Cian Neylon (Marian) captured double gold in the boys’ U-7 50m and 80m, with Noah McConway (St Cronan’s) and Rebecca Griffin (Kilmaley) taking double gold in the U-8 50m and 80m.
The U-9 50m and 80m went to Ciadh Reynolds (Kilmaley) and Noah McConway (St Cronan’s) respectively and Keisha Attwell (St Mary’s) took  the double in the girls’ U-10 with Frank O’Grady (Miltown Malbay) taking the boys’ U-11 100m and 200m.
Róisín Kelly (St John’s) won in girls’ U-12 and her sister, Aisling, captured double gold in the U-13 section.
Killian Galligan (Miltown Malbay) won the boys’ U-12 100m and 200m, while Emma Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) won four golds in the U-14 and U-16 100m and 200m.

Results
Girls
Toddlers 30m
1. Rachel Hayes (Kilmihil); 2. Aoifa Lillis (Cooraclare); 3. Abbey Coyle (Ennis).
50m
1. Theresa Brew (Kilmurry Ibrickane); 2. Sarah Foley (Kildysart); 3. Aoifa Lillis (Cooraclare).
U-6 50m
1. Katie Frawley (Moy); 2. Tia Attwell (St Mary’s); 3. Brooke Galvin (Kilmaley).
80m
1. Katie Frawley (Moy); 2. Michelle Healy (Ennis); 3. Caroline Griffin (St Mary’s) and Tia Attwell (St Mary’s).
U-7 50m
1. Aisling Healy (Kilmaley); 2. Alison Galligan (Kildare); 3. Orlaith Lillis (Cooraclare).
U-7 80m.
1. Alannah Attwell (St Mary’s); 2. Alison Galligan (Kildare); 3. Aoifa Martyn (Cree).
U-8 50m
1. Rebecca Griffin (Kilmaley); 2. Grace Carmody (Marian); 3. Jenny Russell (Dublin).
80m
1. Rebecca Griffin (Kilmaley); 2. Aisling Healy (Kilmaley);3. Leanna Healy (Kilmaley).
U-9 50m
1. Ciadh Reynolds (Kilmaley); 2. Nadine Pender (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Eimear Kelly (St John’s).
80m
1. Ciadh Reynolds (Kilmaley); 2. Rebecca Griffin (Kilmaley); 3. Nadine Pender (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
U-10 100m
1. Keisha Attwell (St Mary’s); 2. Leah O’Neill (St Cronan’s); 3. Sinéad Lillis (Cooraclare).
200m
1. Keisha Attwell (St Mary’s); 2. Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Sinéad Lillis (Cooraclare).
U-11 100m
1. Isabelle Luff (Miltown Malbay); 2. Chloe Neylon (Marian); 3. Cora Varley (Galway).
200m
1. Chloe Neylon (Marian); 2. Isabelle Luff (Miltown Malbay); 3. Áine Killeen (Doonbeg).
U-12 100m
1. Róisín Kelly (St John’s); 2. Faye Milliner (England); 3. Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
200m
1. Róisín Kelly (St John’s); 2. Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Faye Milliner (England).
U-13 100m
1. Aisling Kelly (St John’s).
200m
1. Aisling Kelly (St John’s); 2. Ciara Quinlivan (Kilmihil); 3. Róisín Kelly (St John’s).
U-14 100m
1. Emma Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Aisling Kelly (St John’s); 3. Lauren McCinway (St Cronan’s).
200m
1. Emma Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Aisling Kelly (St John’s); 3. Leah O’Neill (St Cronan’s).
U-16 100m
1. Emma Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Aisling Kelly (St John’s); 3. Leah O’Neill (St Cronan’s).
200m.
1. Emma Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Aisling Kelly (St John’s); 3. Caitlin Campbell (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
Married ladies 100m
1. Mairéad Lavin (Miltown Malbay); 2. Susanne McConway (St Cronan’s); 3. Mairéad Carmody (Connolly).
Boys
Toddlers 30m
1. Sean Lavin (Galway); 2. Marcus O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 3. Dan Frawley (Moy).
50m
1. Marcus O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 2. Dan Frawley (Moy); 3. Sean Lavin (Galway).
U-6 50m
1. Daniel McNamara (Kilkee); 2. Matthew Campbell (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane) and Jimmy Browne (Killimer).
80m
1. Colin Wallace (Kilrush); 2. Brian Burke (Ennis); 3. Daniel McNamara (Kilkee).
U-7 50m
1. Cian Neylon (Marian); 2. Gavin O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 3. Conor Richards (Wicklow).
U-7 80m
1. Cian Neylon (Marian); 2. Gavin O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 3. Brian O’Shaughnessy. Scariff
U-8 50m
1. Noah McConway (St Cronan’s); 2. Conor McGuire (Kilkee); 3. Ciarán Hanrahan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
80m
1. Noah McConway (St Cronan’s); 2. Ciarán Hanrahan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Oisín Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
U-9 50m
1. Noah McConway (St Cronan’s); 2. Matthew Bennett (Laois); 3. Joseph Campbell (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
80m
1. Noah McConway (St Cronan’s); 2. Joseph Campbell (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare);
3. Eoin Killeen (Doonbeg).
U-10 100m
1. Jack McNamara (Kilkee); 2. Jack Healy (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Ricky McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
200m
1. Ricky McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Ethan Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Noah McConway (St Cronan’s).
U-11 100m
1. Frank O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 2. Danielle Bennett (Laois); 3. Gearóid Lillis (Cooraclare).
200m
1. Frank O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 2. Gearóid Lillis (Cooraclare); 3. Danielle Bennett (Laois).
U-12 100m
1. Killian Galligan (Miltown Malbay); 2. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Cian McGuire (Kilkee).
200m
1. Killian Galligan (Miltown Malbay); 2. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Ian Thompson (Tramore AC).
U-13 100m
1. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Danny Keavey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
200m
1. Ian O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 2. Killian Galligan (Miltown Malbay); 3. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
U-14 100m
1. Aaron Langan (Donegal); 2. Andrew Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
200m
1. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Danny Keavey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Ricky McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
U-16 100m
1. Danny Keavey (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 2. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); 3. Daniel Bennett (Laois) and Ricky McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).
200m
1. Killian Galligan (Miltown Malbay); 2. Frank O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 3. Cian Shannon (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare).   
Married men 100m
1. Ian O’Grady (Miltown Malbay); 2. Flan Neylon (Marian); 3. Garry Shannon (Inagh).

Another first for Shannon

THE Limerick City and County Sports Partnership Feet on the Street final round of the summer series was held on Thursday and again many Clare athletes were on the starting line.
Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) had some fine athletes to contend with including the Scully brothers, Shane and Gary from Nenagh AC along with Adrian Lenihan (Duhallow) and Dermot Kerins (West Limerick).
At the halfway point. Shannon had almost 100m of a lead and he cruised over the final two and a half miles to record another big win with a time of 26.02, almost one minute ahead of Shane Scully (26.58). In third spot was Declan Kerins (27.06) with the O-60 going to Tom Madden (Marian) in 31.52 from Mick Carroll (Country Club) (38.28) and Martin Hynes (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (38.41).
Sharon Rynne (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) once again went out very hard from the start along with Dympna Ryan (Bilboa), Catherine Kelly (Dundrum AC) and Loretto Duggan (St Mary’s).
As they made their way towards the two-and-half-mile mark, Dympna Ryan was moving away from the rest of the field and recorded a fine win in 31.14 with Sharon Rynne a very good second in 31.51 and Loretto Duggan (St Mary’s) third in 33.28.

Record throw from Akers

A SMALL number of Irish athletes made their way to England on Friday last to compete in the England Athletic Championships in Bedford.
Alice Akers from Bodyke was wearing Marian AC colours when she competed on Saturday in the U-15 girls hammer competition. Having won this competition the previous year at just 13 with a throw of 47m, her eyes were firmly set on the championship record of 49.81m.
Her first throw of 56.20m brought a huge Irish roar as it not only smashed the championship record but also set a new All-comers UK record, breaking the old one by more than a meter.
As a bonus, her father, who coaches Alice and Adam King from Ivagh, Kerry, was delighted when the latter also broke the U-15 championship hammer record on Saturday to win gold.