There was a whole host of different distance races in Ireland this weekend, with three-quarter marathons, fifteen milers, 10ks and road relays. Here is all the action from Lindie Naughton. 

Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers was the winner of the Irish Three Quarter Marathon held in Longwood, Enfield, Co Meath on Sunday (October 6) in a time of 1 hrs 32 mins 32 secs.

Just four seconds behind for second place was Thomas Hayes of Kilkenny City Harriersm, while third in 1:43.24 was Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers.

Last year’s winner Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers finished fourth and first M40 in 1:45.1o. First woman in 2:07.02 was Isobel Oakes. Jan Corcoran of Le Cheile AC was second and first W40 in 2:12.38 and Kealey Tideswell of Clonmel AC third in 2:17.54. A total of 1,420 completed the course, which takes place exactly three weeks before the Dublin Marathon on October 27.

Donal Mulligan of Longford AC clocked a time of 1:57.32 to finish first at the Tarmonbarry Three Quarter Marathon on Sunday. First women in 2:28.11 was Michelle Murray, also Longford AC. Longford AC members also came out on top in the half marathon, with Barry Shiel the first home in 78.58 and Adrianna Mulligan fourth and first woman in 86:18. A day earlier, Mulligan was joint woman’s winner at the Galway Bay Half marathon in 82:20.

Brennan and Colreavy victorious over 10km

Winners at the Grange 10km in Co Sligo were Patrick Brennan of Finn Valley AC in 32:55 and Audrey Colreavy of Sligo AC in 40:00.
Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers was the runaway winner of the Galway Bay Half Marathon in 66 mins 29 secs on Saturday (October 5).

A distant second in 71:11 was Freddy Sittuk, with Gary Higgins a mere two seconds behind in 71:13 for third. Joint first women was the aforementioned Adrianna Mulligan who crossed the line in 82:20 along with Heather Noone. Third was Grainne Ní Uallachain of Galway City Harriers in 84:48.

Winner of the 10km race, which attracted the biggest numbers of entrants of the three races held on the day, was Eoin Everard of Kilkenny City Harriers in 31:48. Everard, better known for his track exploits, had almost four minutes to spare on the chasers.
Seventh and first woman was Sinead Whitelaw of Galway City Harriers in 38:39. Winning the marathon in 2:37.28 was Michael Canty of Moy Valley AC. First woman in 3:15.52 was Jenna Burton.

On the same days, Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers was the winner of the Tony Donoghue Moone 10km in Co Kildare. Doran was a clear winner of the race in 32mins 30 secs; second was Tom Lupton of Portlaoise AC in 34:12 while third in 34.20 was Paul Lynch of SBR Ferns AC.

Finishing 11th overall and first woman was Laura McDonnell of Tallaght AC in 38:34. Helen Barry of Sli Cualann AC was second in 41:36 and Elaine Cardiff third in 42:37. In the masters categories, Dwane Davey was sixth and first M40 in 36:42. First master woman was Suzanne Dunne W45 of St LOT AC in 45:22.

Corbett first to Cobh

First home at the Cork to Cobh 15 mile, held in perfect conditions and organsied by Cork BHAA on Sunday, was Michael Corbett of Musgrave’s in a time of 81 mins 50 secs. Just seven seconds behind for second was Mark Smith of Eagle AC while third was Michael Morgan of St Finbarr’s AC in 82:50. All there were over 40.

Ninth overall and first woman was Aoife Cooke of Ecooke Fitness in 87:11. Only a few weeks ago Cooke was the winner of the Charleville Half Marathon in a personal best 74 mins 41 secs. Niamh Cronin of Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors was second and first W40 in 1:40.46 and Katie Hickson of Glenside third and second W40 in 1:41.15.

First of the men’s A grade teams was Eli Lilly, with the Department of Education best of the women’s teams.

Road Relays

North Belfast Harriers took three of the four titles on offer at the NI and Ulster Road Relay Championships held in Victoria Park, Belfast on Sunday (October 6).

In the men’s senior race, they were chased hard by defending champions St Malachy’s were chasing hard for the first two legs but then took a strong lead on the third leg holding on to that for tthe fourth and final leg to finish in a new course record time of 38 mins 45 secs was a course record. St Malachy’s finished second in 39:16 which was also inside the old record, while third was Willowfield Harriers in 40:30.

There was another course record of 40:55 for NBH in the master men’s race where Victoria Park and Connswater AC were second in 41:52 and Acorns AC third in 42.13. In the women’s masters race over three legs, NBH were the winners in 37 mins 00 secs. Second was Lagan Valley A in 37:587 while third were North Down AC in 38:32.

Winning a closely fought senior women’s race in 34: 29 were East Down AC, with North Down second in 34:48 and City of Lisburn AC third in 36.35.

World Championships, Doha

Highlight of Ireland’s performance in the second week of the World Athletics Championships in Doha was Ciara Mageean’s time of 4:00.15 in the 1500m.

In a top quality race, Mageean’s time was enough for tenth place in the race and puts her second behind Sonia O’Sullivan on the all-time Irish list. O’Sullivan’s record of 3:58.85 dates back to July 1995. It also puts Mageean fourth on the current European rankings behind Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Scotland’s Laura Muir and Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany.

Sian Hassan led from the start and it lead to such a fast race that Mageean’s time would actually have been good enough for gold in seven of the last eight World Championships. Obviously a Championship race is often tactical and slow starting, but it shows how well the Irish athlete is developing on the international stage.

In challenging conditions, although cooler than the women’s marathon, Stephen Scullion ran 2:21:31 for 43rd place in the Men’s Championship marathon.

World Athletics Championships, Doha, Qatar, 28 September – October 6

Irish results summary –

Friday September 27

Women’s 3000m steeplechase. H2, 9 Michelle Finn 9.45

Men’s 400m hurdles heats. H1, 2 Thomas Barr 49.

Saturday September 28

Men’s 800m h4, 7 Mark English 1:47.96; 32nd

Men’s 400m H sf2, 4 Thomas Barr 49.02 (SB) 10th fastest.

Men’s 50km walk, 6 Brendan Boyce 4:07.46 (PB)

Monday September 30

Women’s 200m, h1, 5 Phil Healy 23.56; 37th

Wednesday October 2

Women’s 1500m, h1, 5 Ciara Mageean 4:04.18(Q)

Thursday October 3

Women’s 1500m sf1, 5 Ciara Mageean 4:15.49 (Q)

Friday October 4

Men’s 20km walk, 31Alex Wright 1:37:33

Saturday October 5

Women’s 1500m final, 10 Ciara Mageean 4:00.15 (PB)

Men’s marathon, 43 Stephen Scullion 2:21.31.

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Lindie Naughton is a journalist and writer based in Dublin who joined the athletics club at her college many many years ago and has never quite escaped. You’ll normally find her jogging around some orienteering course somewhere – or down at the Irishtown track coaching kiddies!