Galway club relay teams in action

GALWAY City Harriers and Craughwell AC fielded strong teams at the National Road relays held in Raheny in Dublin last Sunday.

First off were the Craughwell masters men’s team who finished sixth in the Over 35s event. They were led off by Oliver Mullins, next up was the evergreen Gerry Ryan, who made a welcome return to competition with a fine run on the second two mile leg, while Peter O’Sullivan moved the team up to their final sixth position with a strong closing mile leg.

In the competitive four leg senior men’s event, Craughwell AC and a young Galway City Harriers team represented the county. Craughwell were placed 15th overall, with a strong three mile leg by Jason Broderick. The team also saw good runs from Neil Greaney,  Peader Harvey and Damien O Boyle.

GCH were 20th team overall, led by Keith Fallon and supported ably by Joe Tannian, Niall McCarra and John Moroney. Both these young teams have plenty of potential for the coming years.

Meanwhile, Jane Ann Meehan of Athenry AC a  produced a superb performance in the Manchester Marathon last Sunday as she clocked a time of 2hrs  54 minutes, which was the first time under the magic three hour barrier for her. She finished 6th female overall.

Meehan has been one of Galway’s top athletes for much of the last decade and this result is a testament to the her hard work and high mileage. Her clubmate Gearoid Rohan finished in the same time of 2.54, while there were also good runs and personal best times from Athenry’s  Roseanne Trehy (3.13)  and Chris Deakin (3.12). Brendan Kennelly of GCH came home in 3.22.

Matt Bidwell of GCH took yet another local road race victory, this time in the 4th annual Galway Sports Partnership 10k held  in Labane, Ardrahan on Saturday last.

Bidwell took an easy win in 33.22, well clear of John Whiriskey second in 37 mins and Shane O’Rourke who was third in 37.04. First home in the ladies event was Grainne Ni Uallachain of Galway City Harriers in 39.48, with Veronica Colleran second in 40 mins flat and Deirdre Brophy third.

Brian Heavey took victory at last week’s Claregalway 5km hosted by Clare River Harriers AC. Heavey won in 18.12, just ahead of Kevin Carr second in 18.16 and Alasdair Conway in third. First lady home was Fiona Duggan of Castlegar AC in 22.47. The event was a huge success with over 250 athletes competing

The Galway City Harriers ladies continued their run of good form in the Ballinrobe 10k on Friday last, with victory going to Regina Casey in a personal best time of 36.50. Siobhan Egan also ran very well to take second with a time of 39.08, while the ever improving Niamh Hennelly clocked 40.56 for fifth spot.

Finally, day one of the Galway Juvenile Track and Field Championships takes place onSaturday in Dangan at the RSC track. The first day’s competition is for U9 to U12 athletes and a full programme of track and field events takes place, with proceedings beginning at 10 am .