On the road again

The Pakie Ryan Memorial 10k fun run, 5k walk, 10-mile run, 30k and 50k cycle was held in Newmarket-on-Fergus on Saturday when there was a record entry of over 2,400 competitors, despite the bitterly cold conditions
Michael Shannon and Kenneth Rodgers, both St John’s set a blistering pace through the village covering the 1k in just under three minutes. James Liddane (BMOH) was in a group of three that included Mike Cunningham (Bilboa), Dermot Kearns (Dooneen), and Niall Shannahan (Limerick).
At the 3k mark the leaders, Michael Shannon and Kenneth Rodgers, were shoulder-to-shoulder and had a big lead on Keith Lynch (BMOH). They went through the half way point in 16.34.
Both athletes were shoulder-to-shoulder right through this race before a big sprint on the downhill stretch to the line saw Shannon just take the title in 32.01, two seconds ahead of Rodgers, with Keith Lynch third in 34.22.
In the men’s 10-mile James Liddane led all the way from start to finish to take the title in 55.23 with Niall Shanahan coming through to take second in 61.07 and Mike Cunningham third in 61.44.
In the ladies 10k Veronica Colleran (Ennis Track), the 2011 winner, went into an early lead and was always in control up front on her way to winning the title in 38.36, five minutes ahead of Aishling Ryan (Adare )(43.48) with O-50 athlete Rita Kierse (St Mary’s) third in 44.20.
In the 10-mile race Tracy Guilfoyle (Kilnaboy) and Aishling Power (Ennis Track) were battling for the big prize with Guilfoyle pulled away at the eight-mile mark to take the title in 68.15 with Aishling Power second (69.50) and Melanie Hassett (Quin) third in 73.19s.
There was a great performance from Pat Tierney Kilkishen in the wheelchair section when finishing in 43.07.

RESULTS
Senior ladies 10k
1. Veronica Colleran, Ennis Track (38.36); 2. Aishling Ryan, Adare (43.48); 3. Rita Kierse, St Marys (44.20); 4. Sarah Boland, Shannon (44.48); 5. Anne Murray, Flagmount (45.17); 6. Susan Scanlon, Ballyea (45.50).

Senior ladies 10 mile
1. Tracy Guilfoyle, Kilnaboy (68.15); 2. Aishling Power, Ennis Track (69.50); 3. Melanie Hassett, Quin (73.19); 4. Ciara Hassett, Rathfarnham WSAF (75.22); 5. Fiona Kinsella, Kilmihil (79.00); 6. Siobhan O’Reilly, Clare Crusaders (79.20); 7. Gina Clifford, Clare Crusaders (80.40); 8. Geraldine O’Grady, Sligo (82.44); 9. Sinead Keogh, Galway City Harriers (82.53); 10. Susan Deane, Clare Crusaders (83.29).

Senior men 10k
1. Michael Shannon, St John’s (32.01); 2. Kenneth Rodgers, St Johns (32.04); 3. Keith Lynch, BMOH (34.22); 4. John Hannon, BMOH (35.50); 5. Billy King, Galway City Harriers (36.08); 6. Joe Mooney, BMOH (37.00).

Senior men 10 mile
1. James Liddane, BMOH (55.23); 2. Niall Shanahan, Limerick (61.07); 3. Mike Cunningham, Bilboa (61.44); 4. Michael Lynch, Limerick (62.14); 5. Oliver McInerney, O’Callaghan’s Mills (62.38); 6. Paul Ryan, Limerick (62.59); 7. Dermot Kearns, Dooneen (67.13); 8. Aungus Mullins, Kilnaboy (69.29); 9. Darren O’Connell, Shannon (70.41); 10. Michael McNamara, Clare Crusaders (71.02).

Wheelchair
1. Pat Tierney, Kilkishen (43.07).