More Irish Summer Action…
Stephen Cunningham at Lugnacoille
The last major battle of the season took place on the slopes of Slieve Donard and Commedagh in the Mournes which for the first time served as a counter for the Irish Championship (but only for runner who had run at least one previous IC race).
Rob Cleary and Stephen Cleary (Clonliffe Harriers) had finished 5th and 6th in the overall race but won the “race in the race” of the IMRA contestants with Dale Mathers (Newry) in third. Denise Mathers (Newry) took maximal points ahead of Caroline Reid (Dunboyne) and Kathleen Monteverde) (BARF).
Overall winners, however, were Stephen Cunningham (Mourne Runners) in a fantastic time of 64:22 and Shileen O’Kane (BARF) on the ladies side. With such a display of class both would be welcome additions in an “All-Irish Championship” in the coming year. IMRA runners paid their respects to the descending skills of their Northern colleagues after the race and it’s tempting to see what they could do on the slopes of Carrauntoohil, Croagh Patrick and Galtymore.
In the end it changed nothing in the overall standings where Brian Furey (Rathfarnham) and Deirdre Finn were already champions-elect for 2010.
David Foundation at Hellfire
A charity race for the David Foundation closed the Wednesday night racing season for another year and Eanna Cunnane ran away with the honours on the trail-heavy course with Ian O’Kane in close attendance and Adrian Hennessy third. The women’s standings finished with Lisa McMahon ahead of Bronagh Cheetham and Michelle Rowley.
In Munster, Tom Blackburn secured runners-up spot in the Munster Championship at the final race at Mangerton keeping Darren Burke and Brian Mullins behind him. Mary Louise Ryan and Deirdre likewise confirmed their first and second finishes in the championship by filling the same positions in the race.
Stone Cross to Lug Relay
The Stone Cross to Lug event was not surprisingly largely attended by orienteering teams and they dominated the front of the race proceedings as well with CNOC winning the laurels; their team consisting of Niall McAlinden, Shea O’Boyle and Colm Hill finishing almost an hour clear of the chasing teams on a day where low cloud meant no clear sailing for the novice navigator.
World Masters – An Irish Perspective
Finally, the Irish warmed up well for the World Championships as their senior brigade hauled home more medals in what was a day of bittersweet victory which could have ended in more as Gerry Brady reports:
Mags Greenan (Clonliffe) won a third World Masters title in a row in the Women’s 50-54 age group in Korbielow Poland. Helen White (Sportsworld) added the Women’s 45-49 silver to her European gold from Barcelona last May. Martin McDonald (North Laois) had a fantastic run in fourth place in the Men’s 50-54 age group. Deon McNeilly (Newcastle) had the fastest Irish time of 48:18 for the eight kilometres course with 960 metres of ascent.
There was joy and heartbreak in the team results: The Irish Men’s 35-39 team led home by Peter O’Farrell (Rathfarnham) won bronze medals behind Italy and Poland. The Men’s 40-44 team were fourth yet only an agonising three points off the gold medals. The Men’s 45-49 team were fourth, only one point off the silver medals. The Men’s 50-54 years team had the highest placing with silver medals behind the Czech Republic. This was the first occasion that Ireland has won team medals at these championships.
Results of all events at IMRA.
Mags Greenan - world champ once again
