A whirlwind of a week for Letterkenny AC. From Manor to Rio and more in between.
Brendan Boyce walked himself into the history books this week with an outstanding top 20 finish in the gruelling 50k walk in the Olympic Games.
Conditions were hot and humid which were reflected in the number of athletes that failed to finish. Brendan as always left nothing behind in what is his best global performance to date.
The Manor 5k started the week locally with a range of podium finishes in the senior, 40s , 50s and 60s categories. Anthony Doherty was a clear winner with 2 and half minutes to spare in 16.25. Barry Mackey claimed O50 spot in 20.23, Richard Raymond not to be out done claimed the O60 title in 21.47, Cathal Roarty’s efforts also gained him a podium place in O50 in 22.40. Marian Kerr led the women home in winning O40 category in 23.27. Other club runners were Stephen Shields in 21.24, Danny Sharkey in 23.38, Pat and Rachael McKenna.
Olympian Sinead Jennings was welcomed home to Letterkenny town after her fantastic 6th place in the Olympic lightweight double sculls to a warm reception from club members along with other sports clubs, schools , family and friends expertly co-ordinated by Sean McFadden.
Fionnuala Diver continued her excellent form in winning the Brockagh 6k in 23.14 finishing 5th overall in the race.
The Donegal Half Marathon and marathon was a great success again this year with lots of positive feedback on the support, volunteers and the professional organisation of the event.
The half marathon in particular was a goal for many club runners and indeed provided a plethora of personal bests for many along with podium finishes.
Pauric Breslin was a popular winner of what was his first Half Marathon and it culminates a remarkable season of podium finishes and significant lowering of personal bests over 5k, 10k and now HM in 75.24
Monica McGranaghan with an unbroken record of substantial PBs finished 2nd in Women’s race in a PB 1.33.29 with the ever improving Marie Boyle following in 3rd position in a PB 1.34.10. Sinead Jenning , full of energy on her return from Rio won the HM 1.23.40. Sharon Black completed the women’s representation in a time of 1.47.30
Paul Cosgrave asserted his win in the O50 category by running a personal best time 1.29.39 with the evergreen Barry Mackey 3rd in O50 in a time 1.42.52 . Kevin Kiely continued to dominate the O60 winning in a very respectable time 1.34.18 and Sean McFadden claimed 3rd O40 for his efforts in 1.33.44.
Danny Money 78.40, Club captain Raymond Birch 1.20.42 , Kieran Crawford 1.22.12 , Martin Dooley 1.22.23, Ciaran ODonnell 1.29.21 , Kieran Coyle 1.29.39 Aidan McKenna 1.40.06 , Phil Boyle 1.43.34, Jimmy McBride 1.46. 52 , Liam Ferry 2.05.06 completed the LAC representation.
Rosses AC’s Ciaran McGonigle who is a regular at club training took the Donegal marathon title by storm in 2.41. 15 with Club mate Kevin McGee in HM 1.21.13
The familiar sight of Adrian Callaghan and son Gavin n the buggy proved a crowd pleaser in the Donegal Marathon as he wheeled his way to 2nd place in O40 in a time of 3.39.35
Catriona Jennings not to be outdone by sister Sinead won the Donegal Marathon in a new course record in 2.53.15
The club extends sympathies to PRO Hugh Gallagher on the death of his father Michael RIP.
Removal from his home on Monday evening, August 22nd at 7pm going to Church of the Immaculate Conception, Cool, to arrive at 7.30pm to repose overnight. Requiem Mass on Tuesday, August 23rd at 11am burial afterwards in Milford Cemetery
Tags: