Wet and blustery conditions fail to dampen spirits at the Luggacurren 10k
Teresa Dunne, Tara Leigh, Catriona McDonald and Liz McWey
FOLLOWING a morning of heavy rainfall, the athletes that braved the elements for the 32nd Luggacurren 10k had yet again another very successful event.
The race got off to a lively start with Brian Kelly, St Abban’s AC and Jack McMahon, Ballyroan Abbeyleix & District (BA&D) setting the pace right from the start followed closely by a group of runners from Newbridge, BA&D, and St Abbans.
Kelly and McMahon held the lead with Kelly pulling away at the 8k mark to finish strong and win his first Luggaccuren 10k title in a time of 33:49, followed by Jack McMahon BA&D in 34:24.
Dean Ryan, Newbridge AC finished third in a time of 35:46 followed closely by Ronan O’Reilly BA&D fourth in a time of 35:55. In fifth place overall, John Fenlon, St Abban’s AC had a great run of 36:00 to take first place in the O40 category with team mates, Dermot Ayres and PJ Leonard taking silver and bronze in 36:52 and 38:19 respectively.
St Abban’s AC Junior athletes, Will Duffy, 38:14 and Shane Stynes, 38:17 ran a very competitive race with Duffy edging Stynes by a mere three seconds to take his first Junior title in Luggacurren.
In the O50 category, Sean Delaney, KCH finished 13th overall to win the O50 category in 39:58, followed by Derek Coogan, St Michael’s, second in a time of 41:54 and Pierre Kelly, St Abban’s, third in a time of 50:44.
Martin McDonald, BA&D had a great run, taking the O60 Category in a time of 41:42, followed closely by Aengus Burke, Portlaoise AC in a time of 41:58, with Brian O’Reilly, Laragh AC next in a time of 52:54.
The team event, sponsored by PJ and Martha Dunne, Dunne’s Transport, Shanrath, was won by St Abban’s, with a score of 19 points. The team was Brian Kelly, John Fenlon, David McEvoy and Dermot Ayres.
In the Ladies race, defending champion, Lisa Sweeney, St Michael’s AC held her title to win her second Luggacurren 10k in a time of 38:48. Teammates, Siobhán Burke and Caitriona McDonald, St Abban’s AC took second and third places in 45:56 and 48:18 respectively. Tara Leigh, Tinryland AC finished fourth in a time of 48:30. Liz McWey won the O40 Category in a time of 49:08.
The team event, sponsored by PJ and Martha Dunne, Dunne’s Transport, Shanrath, was won by St Abban’s AC with a total of 63 points. The team was Siobhán Burke, Caitriona McDonald and Theresa Dunne.
Well done to everyone who turned out for this Luggacurren event. A most enjoyable day was had by all.
