Ennis Track men and ladies athletes have certainly made their presence felt across the counties over the Easter. An indication of what was to come was evident in the large turnout for (Holy) Thursday night training in Kilnaboy to run the 10 Mile course. It was raining, which blocked out the scenery. There were cows, which blocked off the roads. But it was the best fun anyone could remember, having blocked out everything in order to plough through the distance ahead.
The athletic tremors in April were first felt on Saturday 4th in the Ballybunnion 10K / 5K with David Hannon winning the 5K race in a time of 20:25. In the 10K, Colm Daly came home 6th overall in a time of 35:33 followed by Kieran O’Dwyer in 12th, with a time of 37:32. On the same day, but in a county far, far away (Galway), Liam McGuane ran the Colemanstown 10k race in a great time of 35:47, coming in 4th overall.
Cushla Hehir had a good start to Easter Sunday, winning the Dooneen 5 Mile, with a storming time of 31:01.
On Easter Monday, Fern Celtic hosted a charity 4 Mile in Ballyea. This was won convincingly by Pat Morrissey with Ailbhe Morrissey winning the ladies race. Ennis track athletes also had some significant success in the raffle held afterwards.
The Connemarathon Half took place on Sunday 12th, on the kind of day that couldn’t make its mind up. A contingent from the club made the journey west. Tom Micks finished 20th overall in a time of 1:28:29. There were solid performances too from Liam Daly who finished strongly (1:39:31), and Donal O’Bearra (1:50:36).
Sunday 12th in Kilnaboy, was also looking like the kind of day that couldn’t make its mind up. When it did make its mind up, it settled on warm intermittent sunshine. What happened next was an Ennis Track tsunami. The Sonny Murphy Memorial 10 Mile saw outstanding performances, and PBs, from our athletes.
Becky Coughlan stormed to victory in the ladies race with a new PB (65:47). She may need a new nickname soon as ‘Bullet’ just doesn’t seem quite fast enough for her. Siobhan Lennon finished 2nd, winning her category in 68:18. Mary Cahill finished 3rd, winning her category in 70:11. A great 1-2-3 for Ennis Track Ladies.
There were great runs, too, from Siobhan Gallagher who finished 3rd in her category (74:57), Ita Hanrahan finishing 4th in her category (75:38), Lorraine Hayes, also finishing 4th in her category (77:49), Mary McGuire (82:13) and Maria Lennon (101:15).
David Lyons finished 7th in the senior race, romping home in a new PB of 59:59. Colm Daly finished 8th (61:15), with John Moloney in 9th (61:17), whispering distance away.
John O’Brien had a unique race, finishing 10th in a great time of 62:49. Not satisfied with this, and one PB not being enough, John also set a 10K PB of 37:42 during the 10 mile. A man of many talents, and a good watch. There was a good run too from Kevin Synnott, who came home in a great time of 65:31, finishing 5th in the O35 category.
Mike Clune was 2nd in the O50 (67:43), John Murphy finished 4th in O45 (67:57) and Patrick Courtney finished solidly in a time of 70:11. Jimmy Doyle was 4th in the O50 category with a time of 77:50.
The clubs grandmaster, Sean Whelan, won the O65 category in a time of 72:37.
Ennis Track won both the mens and the womens team titles, on the day, from Kilmurry Ibrickane. H’on the Track.
