Maher and Colleran win first in 5k series at Lees Road

THE first in the summer series of 5k runs, promoted by Clare Sports Partnership and Clare Athletics Association, was held at the Lees Road Sports Complex on Thursday evening last and proved to be a huge success.

Almost 300 runners and walkers set out at 7.30pm and Michael Maher along with Paddy Quinn (Ennis Track) set a good lively pace for the rest of the field Mike Cunningham (Bilboa AC Limerick), Frank Landy and Kevin Chesser (both Ennis Track) were in close pursuit as the leaders went through the 1k mark in 3:10.

Going through the 2k mark in 6:43, Michael Maher was starting to pull away and over the next 3k, he was in control and crossed the finishing line in a time of 16:37. Paddy Quinn finished second in 16:58 with Kevin Chesser getting in ahead of Mike Cunningham and Frank Landy.

The first junior, in sixth position, was Eoin Looney (Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare). The ladies’ race was dominated by Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) who set a very fast pace from the start, going through the 1k in 3:25.

At this point, Imogen Cotter (Ennis Track) was in the next chasing group along with Claire Madigan (St John’s), Róisín Considine, Elaine Shannon (both Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare), Rita Kierce (St Mary’s) and Grace Eade (Ennis Track).

The leader was well on her way to victory at the 3k mark where she had a big lead built up and she recorded a big win with a time of 19:36.

Results
Senior ladies: 1. Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track) (19.36); 2. Imogen Cotter (Ennis Track) (20.08); 3. Claire Madigan (St John’s) (20.51); 4. Róisín Considine (Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare) (Junior) (20.51); 5. Grace Eade (Ennis Track) (20.52); 6. Rita Kierce (St Mary’s) O-50 (21.10); 7. Elaine Shannon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare) (Junior) (21.14); 8. Deirdre Daly-Cahill (Ennis Track). O-40 (21.28) 9. Loretto Duggan (Ind) O-40 (21.34); 10. Michelle Timmoney-Reeves (Ennis Track). (O-35) (21.59) 11. Sue Garrahy Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare. (O-45): (22.01) 12. Sinéad Monahan (Quin) (22.01). Senior men: 1. Michael Maher (Ennis Track) (16.37); 2. Paddy Quinn (Ennis Track) (16.58); 3. Kevin Chesser (Ennis Track) (17.33); 4. Mike Cunningham (Bilboa). (O-45) (17.46): 5. Frank Landy (Ennis Track) (18.03); 6. Eoin Looney (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare) (Junior) (18.14); 7. Sean Treacy (Clare Crusaders) (18. 38); 8. John Whirskey (Galway) (18.39); 9. Kevin Lynch (Ennis Track) (18. 39); 10. David O’Connor (Ennis Track) (18.40); 11. Kieran O’Dwyer (Ennis Track) (18.40); 12. John Conroy (Ennis Track) (18.42). Female walker: 1. Elaine Rouine ­(Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare) (35.32); 2. Denise Reynolds (Liscannor) (35.32); 3. Eva Gildea (Limerick) (35.39).