Rás sa Ghaeltacht
Aogán Mac Domhnaill came in third in the 10km in aid of cystic fibrosis held in Baile na nGall(Ballydavid) on Sunday last. The winner was Stephen Griffin, Tralee, and second-placed was John Barrett, Gneeveguile. Mac Domhnaill went almost 300 metres clear in the early part of the race but was reeled in by the crafty Kerrymen!

Carmel Mac Domhnaill also took part in the Gaeltacht race. It was geat to hear Gaeilge being spoken so naturally as families and friends walked and jogged for the worthy charity.

Thrilling Race in Dromn
The Dromcollogher Festival Road Race run over four miles was akin to the Nadal – Federer clash as West Limerick’s Dermot Kearns, last year’s winner, was challenged by Farranfore’s Arthur Fitzgerald. They ran neck and neck for three miles then Kearns made his move which brought him a few metres clear of the Kerryman. Unfortunately for Kearns though his strike was not decisive enough and Fitzgerald fought back on the hill before the descent into the Square where he finished in 21.22. Kearns time was 21.30 and third placed was Limerick’s Keith Ryan, 21.55. It was great to see Mike(Curley) Cunningham from Bilboa having a great run in fourth place just ahead of our club coach Joe Chawke. Chawke is unusual as coaches go as he can beat most of his charges!

Strong Female Presence
Another fine run was recorded by Dermot Kearns. Dermot came sixth out of theis huge field and his time of 33.56 was less than one and a half minutes off the winner Seamus Power, Kilmurry-Ibricane, 32.29. If he can keep this form he will soon be into the winning frame and his consistency deserves no less. Maith thú, Dermot. The winning woman was Eimear Martin, Sportsworld, 37.55.

Juniors
Niall Fitzgerald, Limerick AC, proved a good winner in the junior men’s race and Maura Fitzgerald, Farranfore, was the girl’s best. Comhghairdeas leo uilig.

Ennis Report – Kearns Closes In
There were over 1000 entries in the 10k road race in Ennis last Saturday. The early start, 10 a.m., seems to suit many athletes and we had our representatives from West Limerick.

Another fine run was recorded by Dermot Kearns. Dermot came sixth out of theis huge field and his time of 33.56 was less than one and a half minutes off the winner Seamus Power, Kilmurry-Ibricane, 32.29. If he can keep this form he will soon be into the winning frame and his consistency deserves no less. Maith thú, Dermot. The winning woman was Eimear Martin, Sportsworld, 37.55.

Our other runners in the Banner town included Carmel Mac Domhnaill, 2nd in her category, Bernie Barron, Patricia Mc Namara and Conor Lovett.

Guinea Shines in Ger Mullane Memorial 10K
Over 130 runners and a large group of walkers turned up in Bilboa near Cappamore on Friday evening for the 10k in memory of Ger Mullane. Ironically, it was Seamus Power, Kilmurry-Ibricane AC, who won in a record time of 31:18. There is a similar memorial race for Dermot Power, a brother of Seamus, each year. Second home was New Zealander, Max Smith, 32:17 and then came our own Ger Guinea in a time of 33:32. As can be seen from the record time on this tough course Ger’s performance is top class and fixes him in the elite bracket in distance running. Dermot Kearns is also closing in on the top runners.

Our women’s team is now possibly stronger than the men’s squad and Lisa Hurley’s fantastic run, 39:03, put her in second spot behind Eimear Martin, Sportsworld RC, 38:17. Third was Ann Mc Phail, Limerick, 39:15.

West Limerick finishers included: Dermot Kearns,7th, 34:34; Joe Chawke, 38:12; Mike Mc Auliffe, 39:44; Tom Fitzgerald, 41:07; Gary Madden; Ailbhe Healy; Mike Mac Domhnaill; Malachy Mc Carthy; Mike Cooney; Liam Healy; Dick Lenihan; Davy Condon; Willie Costello; Carmel Mac Domhnaill; Bernadette Barron; Patricia Mc Namara; Karena O Mahony; Conor Lovett.

Cork Marathon
We had two men running the full distance on Monday last in Cork. They were Tom Fitzgerald, 3.16, and Davy Condon, 3.50. The club was also represented in Cork in the relay section and Ger Guinea and his team of four took their section comfortably ina time of 2.23 and won the overall prize. Also running were Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill and her brother, Aogán. They opted for the double where Aogán ran 14 miles and Aislinn ran 12.2. Their time of 2.57 was very good in the humid conditions and by our calculations would have won a male and female category but there was no ruling on the team composition. They were 17th team overall. There were 828 teams of various numbers from two up to five competing.

The individual winners were Roy Fahy, East Cork AC, 2.33.55 and Tracy Guilfoyle, KilnaboyAC, 3.01.23.

Dublin Mini
The Women’s Mini Marathon which has the largest participation in the world had 40,000 at the start line. Mother of four, Annette Kealy, Dublin, was the winner in 35.45 ahead of Pauline Curley, Offaly, 36.01. We are sure all the local participants had a great day and collected big amounts for charities. Maith sibh, Mná na nÉireann.

Mc Cartan’s Star Rising
As predicted in this column last week Pat Mc Cartan’s time in the Munster T&F would soon be obliterated. It’s nice to be vindicated on occasion!

At an invitational meeting in Manchester last weekend he clocked 3.53 for the 1500m.

Within six weeks he will better that time is our next forecast. Ná dein dearmad, léigh sibh anseo é.

Munster T&F
Pat Mc Cartan did not disappoint in Castleisland on Sunday last at the Munster Track & Field Championships. Taking part in the 1500m and 800m on a very windy day was a stiff challenge and though he won the 1500m he was disappointed with his time of 4.09. A look at the second placing time of 4.25 however shows the influence of the gale force wind and on reflection he should not be too hard on himself. He went out in the 800m for a good workout and his third place in 1.59 should reassure him at this early stage of the season. This race was won by Liam Reale, Limerick AC, home from scholarship in the States.

Cork Marathon
There is great interest in the relay sections in this year’s Cork Marathon which will take place next weekend. Aisling and Aogán Mac Domhnaill will be splitting the distance between them and Ger Mullane has also built a relay team for the race. This will make an exciting sideshow to the main marathon distance runners. Bainigí taitneamh as.

Also at the weekend we have the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin. Guímid gach rath ar na mná ó Iarthar Luimnigh atá ag dul ann.

Bilboa
Bilboa AC remind us that the race in memory of our friend and top athlete, Ger Mullane, will be held in Bilboa on June 20th

Dromcollogher Festival Race
The traditional road race in Dromcollogher is set to continue this year and the date scheduled is Monday, July 7th. Let’s spread the word and bring a crowd for what is always an enjoyable night in the town of ‘one street’. Scaip an focal.

County Senior Championships
We had a fine turnout of athletes at the Country Club on Saturday evening for the County Road Championships. We had more athletes present than any other club and apart from any competition this is surely the main point – encouraging people to be out and active.

We had a clean sweep in the women’s race with Ailbhe Healy showing the way in to the tape in a fine free-flowing style. The men’s race was again dominated by the Limerick pairing of Tomás Carey and Martin Duddy but Ger Guinea secured third senior position with another fully committed performance. Breaking the 21 minute barrier was no mean feat in the hilly conditions. Now is the time for Ger to watch his warm-ups and fine-tune his training for the next step up. When your body is at its fittest a pulled muscle is always the danger. Tóg go réidh é, Ger!

Position	Name
Senior Men
1st	Tom Carey (LAC)	20.09
2nd	Martin Doody (LAC)	30:31
3rd	Ger Guinea (WLAC)	20:57
Senior Women
1st	Ailbhe Healy (WLAC)
2nd	Carmel MacDomhnaill (WLAC)
3rd	Allister Ledger (WLAC)
Veteran Men
1st	Dermot Kearns (WLAC)	O/35
1st	Mike Cunningham (BAC)	O/40
1st	Calvin Hayes (BAC)	O/45
1st	Malachy Mc Carthy (WLAC)	O/50
1st	Dick Lenihan (WLAC)	O/55
1st	Donal Murphy (WLAC)	O/60
Veteran Women
1st	Verena Tarpey (WLAC)	O/35
1st	Bernadette Barron (WLAC)	O/35

WLAC Senior Team(Silver): Ger Guinea, Dermot Kearns, Fiachra Mac Domhnaill, Niall Collins.
WLAC Senior Team(Bronze): Aogán Mac Domhnaill, Robert Lowe, Gary Madden, Mike O Brien.
WLAC Novice Team(Gold): Ger Guinea, Fiachra Mac Domhnaill, Aogán Mac Domhnaill, Robert Lowe

Full Results

BHAA 5Mile
Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill ran a fine 5 mile road race in a BHAA event Dublin at the weekend finishing eleventh in a time of 33.30. She is steadily bringing down her times and is aiming for the Cork Half Marathon. Go n-éiri léi

National 10K
Orla O'Mahony and Seamus Power claimed individual gold medals in Athenry at the AAI National Championships on Sunday, 20 April.

West Limerick came a comendable 6th in the mens senior event and 10th in the senior women's event

Position	Name
Senior Women
189	Ailbhe Healy	42.19
28	Verena Tarpey	44.42
43	Bernie Barron	50.14
Senior Men
43	Dermott Kearns	34.23
57	Mark Dempsey	35.16
63	Niall Collins	35.29
73	Eddie Vereker	35.52
117	Gary Madden	37.52
216	Barry Kent	43.47
229	Donal Murphy	44.41
245	Noel Kennedy	46.24

Full results are available on the Athenry Site

Kilnaboy 10M
Orla O'Mahony and Seamus Power claimed individual gold medals in Athenry at the AAI National Championships on Sunday, 20 April. Kilmurry-Ibricane man, Seamus Power, was the convincing winner of the Kilnaboy 10 Mile race on Sunday last. His time of 51:08 shows that he still has what it takes after many years at the top. Second was R. Zakis, 53:21, West Waterford and third placed was J Byrne, 54:22, Mayo.

The leading women were Madeline Dorney, 63:24,Thurles Crokes; Tracey Guilfoyle, 65:23, Kilnaboy; Anne-Marie Hickey, 66:30, Raheny Shamrocks.

From our club we had Dermot Kearns, 58:54 and Eddie Vereker, 59:21, Gary Madden, 65:22 and Ailbhe Healy, 78:49

BUPA 10K
Eddie Vereker ran in the BUPA 10k on Sunday April 3rd and ran 37mins 45. It was cold, windy, hilly and even had a bad shower of hail stones so very good run indeed.

Ultra Performance!
Well done to Dave Condon and Richard Lenihan who completed the Ultra Marathon in Connemara last weekend. Dave finished the 39miles in 6:34:53 and Richard finished in 6:49:25

In the full marathon, our own Rob Lowe came an impressive 6th overall in a time of 3:00:36, a great time in a tough course

Paris Marathon
Well done to Daithí Ó Murchú who completed the Paris Marathon at the weekend and now has a fine tally of races run at this gruelling distance. Middle distance is his natural territory and he has some very good 400m times to his credit but the lure of the marathon keeps coming back. Nára laga Dia é.

Quilty
We had eight contestants in the Quilty Four Mile Race on Sunday which was won by local man, Séamus Power, 19.45 ahead of Galway City Harriers, Gerry Ryan, 19.56 and Ennis Track man Rory Chesser, 20.39. First women home were Eimear Martin, Sportsworld, 24.39; Ann Mc Phail, Limk, 24.55; Siobhán Lennon, Ennis Track, 26.09. Becky Hand, Dooneen, was first junior home in 28.55. Maith thú, Becky. As our athletes came in:Garry Madden, 24.14; Finbarr Murphy, 25.38; Dave Hand, 28.55; Carmel Mac Domhnaill, 31.10; Dominic Costello, 31.35; Janet Costello, 33.12; Bernie Barron, 33.18; Catherine Hand, 36.41.

Plassey 10K
We had a strong representation at this years Plassey 10K on Saturday March 29th. Over a 1000 competitors took part in the run and walk. Our own Liz Hussey took first in the womens race and Dermot Kearns came 4th in the men event.

Munster Roads
Well done to our own Pat McCartan who came 2 nd in the Munster Road Race held in Ballyea, Ennis, Co. Clare on Sunday March 16 th. Brian Jenkins, Dermott Kearns and Mark Dempsey finished within 30 seconds of each other, winning second club prize for West Limerick.

To cap a great day, we helped Limerick take the second county prize. We might have has similar success in the womens competition but were short one for a team. Nonetheless, Ailbhe Healy, Verena Tarpey and Carmel McDomhnaill ran exceptionally well

Position	Name
Senior Women
20	Ailbhe Healy
28	Verena Tarpey
43	Carmel McDomhnaill
Senior Men
2	Patrick McCartan
22	Brian Jenkins
23	Dermott Kearns
24	Mark Dempsey
28	Niall Collins
84	Donal Murphy
86	Mike O'Brien

Croom 6K
Well done to the organisers of the annual Joey Hannon 6km race on St. Patrick’s day. There was a big turn-out for the event and a quality field saw our own Pat McCartan pipped at the post by Seamus Power.

Full Results

Ballycotton 10
The annual Ballycotton 10, a sister race to Adare, was held on Sunday last. The male winner was Vinny Mulvey, Raheny Shamrocks, 50.36, and Rosemary Ryan, Bilboa, added the female title to her Adare victory. Well done to all our athletes who took part in this years '10'

Position	Time	Name	Cat	Pace
79	1:00:23	DEMPSEY, Mark	M	06:02.2
183	1:05:00	MADDEN, Gary	M	06:29.9
213	1:06:05	LANE, Mike	M	06:36.4
538	1:13:11	HEALY, Ailbhe	F	07:19.0
1063	1:21:27	GUINA, Gerard	M	08:08.6
1292	1:25:07	HAND, David	M45	08:30.6
1761	1:34:04	HAND, Catherine	F45	09:24.2
1762	1:34:06	HAND, Sam	MJ	09:24.4

Adare Results!
A big ‘Comhgháirdeas’ to Willie Costello and all the organisers of the Adare 10k which attracted 225 runners and also a large group of walkers to the village on Sunday last. The men’s winner was Gerry Ryan, GCH, who won in 31.17 ahead of West Limerick’s Pat Mc Cartan, 31.59 and Cian Murphy, Iveragh.

Rosemary Ryan, Bilboa, was the female winner in 35.32. Next came Siobhán O Doherty, 36.25 and Madeline Dorney, Thurles Crokes, 38.10. Our own, Liz Hussey, was fourth in a time of 38.48.

We were pipped for the title in the team event by Mayo AC and the women’s team was won by St. Mary’s AC.

Provisional Results (all competitors)
Provisional Prizewinners

Pictures are now available, see our Gallery

Meeting
A meeting to access the race will be held in Rathkeale on April 4th. Details such as stewards and finish procedure can be improved and members or helpers are asked to attend and offer suggestions. Táimid ag braith oraibh.

National Intermediate
Pat Mc Cartan was our top representative in Wexford for the National Intermediate Cross Country and he placed 21st. Dan Mulhare, North Laois, was the winner. While excelling at 1500m Mc Cartan has to build up the stamina for the longer distance. We hope he avoids injury in the build-up to the outdoor track season.

Guinea Leads Team in Dungarvan 10
Ger Guinea finished fourth place in the Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10 mile road race on Sunday with just 3 seconds seperating him from second place. This was another PB for the West Limeick man and there is plenty more where that came from!

Place	Time	Name	Cat	Pace
4	0:54:25	GUINA, Gerard	SM	05:26.4
19	0:58:22	DEMPSEY, Mark	SM	05:50.1
23	0:58:54	JENKINS, Brian	SM	05:53.3
54	1:01:36	COLLINS, Niall	SM	06:09.5
60	1:02:00	HEALY, Liam	SM	06:11.9
147	1:06:48	MURPHY, Finbarr	SM	06:40.7
149	1:06:49	LANE, Mike	SM	06:40.8
168	1:07:52	MADDEN, Gary	SM	06:47.1
275	1:11:57	POWER, Christy	SM	07:11.6
308	1:13:04	O'DONNELL, Des	M/40	07:18.3

Mc Cartan’s Silver Lining
For the second year in succession, West Limeick AC athlete, Pat Mc Cartan, secured second spot in the National 1500m. This was achieved against a backdrop of injury and even after the semi-final he was unsure if he could contest the final. Once he had decided to go for it there was no question of half measures. Apart from ability this young man’s determination – as our friends across the pond would say – is awsome. Run in Belfast, the race was shown on RTE last Sunday night. His time was 3.53. Maith thú, Pat

Munster Senior CC
The Munster Senior Cross Country Championships were held in Cashel last Sunday and our team was led in by Ger Guinea in 10th spot. This shows a welcome return to form for Ger and will do his confidence no harm. The other scoring West Limerick runners were: Mark Dempsey, Brian Jenkins and Finbarr Murphy.

Full results available online

Mallow 10
We had a great turnout in Mallow: Ger Guinea ran a great 56.21 coming in 8th in the Mallow 10 Mile Road Race on Sunday. Also there were Gary Madden, 62.26 PB, Mark Dempsey, Finbarr Murphy, Eddie Vereker, Seamus Cawley, Tom Fitzgerald, John O Shea, Dick Lenihan, Davy Condon and Liam Healy.

Women from the club were: Lisa Horgan, Ailbhe Healy, Varina Torpey, Bernie O Sullivan and Breda O Sullivan. Bernadette Barron, West Limk, won the O/55 section. Overall winners were R. Zakis, 53.15; M. Dorney, 63.41.

Place	Time	Number	Surname	Category	Gender
8	00:56:21	306	GUINA, Ger	MS	Male
55	01:02:25	409	DEMPSEY, Mark	MS	Male
57	01:02:26	362	MADDEN, Gary	MS	Male
60	01:02:46	267	MURPHY, Finbarr	MS	Male
65	01:03:06	265	VEREKER, Eddie	MS	Male
125	01:07:25	39	JOHNSON, Kevin	MS	Male
130	01:07:36	266	CAWLEY , Seamus	M45	Male
149	01:09:12	493	O'SHEA, John	M45	Male
226	01:12:58	317	LINEHAN, Richard	M55	Male
248	01:13:47	429	HORGAN, Lisa	FS	Female
278	01:15:09	109	CONDON, David	M50	Male
294	01:15:48	407	HEALY, Ailbhe	FS	Female
331	01:18:07	178	TARPEY, Verina	F35	Female
406	01:23:00	232	BARRON, Bernadette	F55	Female
448	01:27:26	311	HEALY, Liam	MS	Male
449	01:27:26	307	O'SULLIVAN, Breda	F35	Female

Full results available online and pictures too

Women’s Team Take Gold
In a reflection of the strength of our female athletes the West Limerick AC team comprising Liz Hussey, Lisa Horgan and Verena Torpey took gold in the County 10 Mile Road Championships in Limerick on Stephen’s Day. Comhghairdeas leo. And while Limerick AC were second team our three runners, Bernie Burns, Alva Healy and Breda O Sullivan won bronze. In the men’s race we had to be content with second spot to Limerick AC and our team was led in by Ger Guinea, 5th in a time of 56.12, Brian Jenkins, Dermot Kearns and Niall Collins. The first three home were: Liam Reale, 51.30; Colm Turner, 53.54 and Rory O Donnell, 55.06. Other runners from the West were Mark Dempsey, Finbarr Murphy, Tom Fitzgerald, Seamus Cawley, J O Shea, Derek Mackessy, Willie Costello, Dick Lenihan and Liam Healy.

Farranfore Road Race
Also on St. Stephen’s Day we were represented in that county to the west whose inhabitants indulgently refer to as the Kingdom! Pat Mc Cartan and his sister, Deirdre, along with four Mac Domhnaills were on the line along with Malachy Mc Carthy. Mal’s brother, Pat, had just returned to the US and we recall Pat as a former winner of the Farranfore Four Mile Race. All four Mac Domhnaills picked up prizes in their categories but pride of place goes to Aislinn who ran a good third overall in a competitive field. Pat Mc Cartan received fifth prize ahead of Aogán Mac Domhnaill in sixth.

Click here for 2007 Results