Lynch continues his golden run

THE National Juvenile U-12 to U-19 Indoor Track and Field Championships (the second weekend) saw further success for Clare athletes.
In the boys’ U-19 Cormac Lynch (Marian) produced a very big race in the 200m to take the gold medal with a new championship best and a personal best time of 22:99 to add to his 60m title that he captured in Nenagh a week ago.
Another Marian Athlete, Angaharad Loughnane, competing in the girls’ U-14 1,000m walk  powered her way to the gold medal position over the final lap to win in a time of 5.20:84.
In the girls’ U-14 800m Aisling Kelly (St John’s) came through her heat as one of the fastest losers and in the final, she was down in sixth place with two laps remaining but came storming through over the final 150m to finish fourth in 2.29:70.
In the boys’ U-14 800m heats, Eoin Looney (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) came through his heat in 2.25:45. In the final, he started out very well with Robert Crowley (Carlow) on his shoulder and going out in the final lap the Carlow man made his move to take the gold medal in 2.16:77 with Looney second in 2.17:47 a personal best time for the Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare athlete.
In the girls’ U-18 Laura Egan (Kilmihil) was in the 800m final and she almost lead this race from start to finish only to be outsprinted on the final 100m by Laura O’Dowd (Ballinamore) with the Kilmihil girl setting a personal best time of 2.21:94 to take the silver medal.
In the girls’ U-19 1,500m walk world gold medal winner Kate Veale (West Waterford) led from start to finish to set a new championship best of (6.12:49) with another Marian athlete Claudia Loughnane a very good second, taking the silver medal in 7.38:37.

Results
Girls
U-14 1,000m walk: 1. Angharad Loughnane (Marian) (5.20:84)
800m: 4. Aisling Kelly (St John’s) (2.29:70).
U-17 High jump: 10. Jessica O’Connor (Marian) (1.40m).
U-18 800m: 2. Laura Egan (Kilmihil) (2.21:94); 6. Emer Hillery (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (2.36:42).
U-19 1,500m walk: 1. Katie Veale (West Waterford) (6.12:49); 2. Claudia Loughnane (Marian) (7.38:37).
Boys
U-14 800m: 2. Eoin Looney (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (2.17:47).
U-19 200m: 1. Cormac Lynch (Marian) (22:99) pb.

Sonny Murphy Memorial at Kilnaboy this weekend

THE 28th annual Michael (Sonny) Murphy Memorial 10-Mile Open Road Race and 10k fun walk will take place in Kilnaboy this Sunday with the 10k fun walk starting at 1.45pm and the road race at 2pm.
This road race is organised by Kilnaboy Athletic Club with athletes from all parts of Ireland taking part.
For the ninth year in-a-row it will be part of the Munster 10-mile Spring Classics. Also incorporated with this race is the Clare Athletics Association 10-mile Road Championship.
The 10k fun walk will once again go around Mullaghmore, starting and finishing at Kilnaboy National School.
Seamus Power (Kilmurry Ibrickane-North Clare) holds the course record that he set in 1999 with a time of 49:31.
Amongst the leading contenders are expected to be Sandas Bralitis (West Waterford), Martin Doody (Limerick), Donal O’Callaghan (Ríocht), George Waugh (Bandon), James Doran (Ríocht), Gerry Ryan (Galway City Harriers, the 2006 title holder) along with the 2005 title holder John Byrne (Mayo).
They will have to be at their best to beat local man Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) along with Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s) and Julio Cesear F Castro (Kilmurry Ibrickane-North Clare).
With Limerick AC, the  current title holders and with Galway City Harriers starting as favourites from Ennis Track, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, West Limerick, Bilboa, Grange/Fermoy, Craughwell and St John’s, the team contest should be interesting.
The ladies’ race is very much a wide open affair. Ann Lennon (Mayo) set a fast time of 59:55 in 1999. This record will be hard to beat but all eyes will be on Lizzie Lee (Leevale) along with Angela McCann (Clonmel), Ann Marie Holland (Eagle), Siobhán Doherty (Borrisokane), Carina Walsh (West Waterford), Tracy Guilfoyle (from the host club Kilnaboy), Veronica Colleran, Marie Carey (both Ennis Track), Josephine Killeen, Sharon Rynne (both Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare), Mary Sweeney (St Finbarr’s), Lucy Brennan (Sligo) and Loretta Duggan (St Mary’s).

Fixtures
April
6. Clare Community Gamers Relay Trials in Cooraclare Football Field at 6pm.
7. Cratloe 10k Road Race and 5k fun run/walk at 12 noon. 
8. The 28th annual Michael Sonny Murphy Memorial 10-mile Road Race classic and 10k fun walk at 1.45pm and road race at 2pm in Kilnaboy.
9. Ennistymon Hurling Club and the Sergio O’Connor Trust Fund 5k fun run and walk starting at Ennistymon GAA Club house at 11am.
14. The Johnny McMahon Healthy Heart 10k Fun Run and 3.5k Walk all in aid of Kilmaley Voluntary Housing, Clare Crusaders and Uganda Rays of Hope Hospice Jinya starting at Kilmaley school at 12 noon.
15. Marian AC and the Matt O Connor Memorial Open Sports at Lees Road starting at 1.30pm.
15. Athletics Ireland 10k Road Championship at the Phoenix Park. 
22. Miltown Malbay Ladies’ Fun Run and Walk at Miltown Malbay GAA Field at 1pm.
22. Athletics Ireland Road Relays in Raheny.