Sean Connolly was in tremendous form when
taking the Raheny 5 on Sunday last. Although only back in training a few
weeks before Christmas after a 5 month layoff the junior course record
holder was obviously in confident mood when taking a prominent position
to the fore of the 2,000 competitors. As the race progressed he showed
no lack of fitness when matching the pace of the front runners ,
including club mate Thomas Fitzpatrick and local favourite Mark Kirwan
who seemed determined to claim the trophy for Raheny, but despite his
brave efforts over the remaining half of the five mile course he could
not match the Tallaght star for speed in the final 200m sprint to the
finish, where Connolly triumphed in a time of 24.13.
|
Sean Connolly matching strides
with Mark Kirwan |
The ever improving Thomas Fitzpatrick (24.32)
followed him home in 3rd with Eoin Dunne, after storming through the
field in the last mile taking 11th place. His finishing position
combined with that of Sean and Thomas was just enough to pip Raheny for
the senior team award and take it across the Liffey for the first time
to Tallaght.
Davy Byrne was the next Tallaght athlete to finish and his in 14th
placing secured the top prize in the O/35 category. He was followed next
by Jeetu Dharanji in 15th, whilst the brave running of Peter Fitzsimons
(34th) earned him silver in the Junior men’s category.
Roisin O’ Hanlon, the sole representative for Tallaght in the junior
ladies category ran strongly throughout the five mile race to take top
honours whilst Jacqui Boyle took bronze and Liz Conroy silver in their
respective masters categories.
This was undoubtedly a day to savour for Tallaght A.C. with more than 37
competitors finishing the course and returning with top team honours, 3
category winner’s, two seconds and a third.
Our senior athletes will be looking forward to the National Indoors,
Inter Clubs Cross Country Championships,10k Championships and a return
to Raheny for the National Road Relay Championships whilst our juveniles
will be targeting the Dublin juvenile indoor T&F Championships in
February.