St David’s Day round-up

Ballyvary winners: Dave, Anto, John with Joe Barrett, Hurling Club Chairman – photo Michael Maye.

It was a tough weekend for either a long training run or a race. March is here but the daffodils are not quite ready to do their “fluttering and dancing in the breeze”. Last Thursday evening’s training session was demanding, with sleet blowing at 45 degrees across the open straights and lanes at Claremorris track. Matt Bidwell has raised the bar each week and the sessions are proving popular and rewarding.

On Saturday John Byrne won the Ballyvary 8k in 27:39, with Anto Devaney 2nd 30:35, Dave Corcoran 3rd 30.51 – all ‘mastering’ the conditions’. First woman was Julie Ann Reilly 37:17, 2nd Ann Murray W50 37:55, 3rd Rosemary Cloherty 38:44. There were a number of members in the field of 110 finishers. You can check them out at www.ballyvaryhurling.com/

Regina Casey (GCH) was second overall and first woman home in the Clonbur 10k fundraiser for Zambia Housing Project on Sunday.  She finished in an excellent 38:09, 24 seconds behind race winner Noel Gibbons. Regina was coached in her early years by our pentathlete Patrick Moran when he was a driving force behind Border Ramblers AC. Results: Clonbur10km2015

Connacht Indoors: Senior Men 60 metres was won in 7:40. John Walkin was 5th in 7:84, Declan Owens 6th in 8:00.

There’s just under two weeks to go until the Masters Indoors in Athlone – you should send your entry details to Trisha Carty by Thursday 5 March. National 10k  is on Saturday 11th April