Week ending Saturday 8th September
Victory for Aine O’Reilly at Dingle Half Marathon
Given her current form, Aine O’Reilly was quietly confident of a good performance at the Dingle Half Marathon last Saturday, looking to win the event for the second year in a row, and she certainly didn’t disappoint! Regarded as one of the most scenic half marathons in Ireland, which is hardly surprising as the “point to point” course starts at Dingle and finishes in Dunquin and the runners can take in the spectacular views of the Blasket Islands along the way. The race finishes outside the doors of a pub, where the runners could take the opportunity to enjoy well deserved refreshments before being taken by bus back to Dingle to continue the celebrations. Any wonder the race won the “Half Marathon of the Year” award in 2015, 2016 and 2017 in the Running in Ireland Race Awards and continues to grow in popularity, this year attracting just over 2,000 finishers.
No surprise that the best of the dedicated group of nine eight from Mullingar was Aine O’Reilly with a fantastic twelfth place finish overall in 1:26:18, the first woman to finish and winning the women’s race for the second year in a row. Next in was Joanna Tyrrell (1:51:42), Eamonn O’Reilly (1:55:19), Ger Langtry (2:02:02), Dearbhail Gibney (2:03:59), Marna Groenewald (2:10:49), Michelle Kavanagh (2:14:14) and David McDonnell (2:16:48) and Michael O’Sullivan (2:17:31).
Corrections to Leinster results at Tullamore Half
Last week we reported on the great individual and team results for Mullingar in the Leinster Half Marathon Championships, which took place with the Tullamore Half Marathon. During the week, the Leinster results were reviewed and corrected and it transpires that in addition to individual medals for Gerard Gavin (first in his Leinster master category), Nollaig McEntegart (second) and Emer O’Hanlon (second), Jane Creevy also won an individual medal, third in her master category, and not fourth as reported last week. Third place for the Mullingar women team of Jane Creevy, Emer O’Hanlon and Lisa Duffy was confirmed, but the Mullingar men team of Eddie Newman, Nollaig McEntegart and Stephen Naughton finished second Club in their Leinster master category, not first, still a great result though. Well done to Emer on her medal winning performance and we’re delighted to record the correction.
World Masters T&F
Sean McMullin, Paddy Kelly and Eileen Kenny are part of a big Irish team at the World Masters T&F in Malaga, Spain this week. Sean has a busy schedule with the 5k track walk, 10 road walk and 20k road walk, Paddy will compete in the 800m and Eileen is entered in the 10k road race. Everyone at the Club wishes them the very best of luck as they compete against the best masters in the World.
Important Cross Country Dates
The Star of the Sea AC Open Cross Country in Meath on Sunday 23rd September and the Westmeath Schools Cross Country in Belvedere on Wednesday 26th September will provide excellent preparation for the Westmeath AAI Cross Country Championships on 7th and 14th October in Belvedere. The Westmeath Championships will be trials to select Club and County teams for the Leinster Cross Country Championships for Junior, Novice and juvenile even ages in Navan on Saturday 27th October and in Adamstown, Co. Wexford on Sunday 11th November for the Senior and juvenile uneven ages.
For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.
PRO
