The Dublin City
Marathon field of 13,000 competitors included no less than a 18
athletes from Tallaght Athletic Club and all completed the
gruelling 26 mile journey in good style.
Thirty six year old Davy Byrne, one of the youngest of the
Tallaght runners was the first member of the club to cross the
line in a very respectable 47th place overall (21st Irishman) in
a time of 2.36.57 and was followed home by Eoin Brennan (35th
Irishman) in 80th with a good time of 2.42.43.
The next three to finish were all in the O/50 category and were
led across the line by Gerry Woods (3.06.51), followed by
Brendan Ryan (3.09.11) and Gerry O’Brien (3.12.24) and when the
team results for the National Marathon Championships which was
incorporated in the event became know there were joyous moments
for this Tallaght trio, as their combined times (9.28.26), which
was almost 26minutes (1 minute per mile) better than any other
clubs combined times earned them the team Gold medals in their
category.
Tony Gaffney was next acroos the line in 3.24.17, followed by
Shay Murphy (3.26.25), Dave Meehan (3.27.19), Martin Haddock
(3.38.34), Domhnall Sheridan (3.51.19), Irfan Qureshi (3.51.29),
Pat Kelly (3.56.59) and Derek Troute (4.43.29). The senior
member of the group Gary Clarke unfortunately suffered an ankle
injury at the 10 mile mark, however he bravely struggled on and
completed the race.
Peig Dunne and Grainne Coogan were very pleased with their
respective finishing times of 4.01.43 and 4.07.6