Kerryman Article 21/4/08

For the first time in fifty years the historic Galway town of Athenry
hosted a National Athletics Championship race when the AAI 10k Senior
event was held there on Sunday and there were five Kerry road runners from
355 finishers taking part. The day was cold and there was a strong head
wind but this didn’t deter Cian Murphy  (Iveragh)  who ran a terrific race
to finish 16th in 32.31 mins, with Donal O’Callaghan (An Ríocht) just
behind him in 32.34 mins to finish 17th.  Mike O’Shea running for the over
45s put in a enormous effort to cross the line 6th with a time of 35.32
and his brother Pat (both Iveragh) winning the over 55s group in 36.16.
Tom Shanahan (An Ríocht) ran an excellent race to finish 10th in the over
45s in 36.16.

The Intervarsities Athletics Championships were hosted by UCD in Irishtown
Dublin on the 18th and 19th April. Patrick Phelan UCD took gold in the
100m and 200m, Daniel Clifford of Tralee IT came 2nd in the shot and in
the discus and Alan O’Connor, also Tralee IT came 3rd in the shot, 4th in
the discus and 4th in the 35lbs for distance. Karen O’Connor of UCC came
2nd in the discus and Katie O’Shea of UL came 2nd in the hammer and 2nd in
the 8kg for distance.

Farranfore/Maine Valley held their Open Sports on Sunday at the An Ríocht
Track Castleisland, and despite the cold and drizzle there was a great
turn out with plenty of action in both the track and field events
(attached photos from FF/MV open sports)

Events coming up
Friday 25th April County Road Race Gneeveguilla starts at 8pm
Sat/Sun 26th/27th AAI Congress
May
Sun 4th,11th, 18th County Juvenile Championships, Castleisland
Mon 5th Munster Master, Juniors & U23 T&F Championships Cork
Sun 11th Spar Mile Challenge TBC
Sat 17th Munster Schools T&F Championships Limerick