Tallaght Perform well in National 10K Road Race

Tallaght AC were back on the podium after competing in the AAI National 10k road race in Navan on Sunday. The humid conditions and the tough course made the event a demanding one but the team came through the field of 262 athletes in fine style.

Once again it was Davey Byrne who led the boys home in 12th place overall in 32.36. Tomas Fitzpatrick was next in 33.29, Nilton Demorez in 34.50 ,Niall Coppinger in 35.19 and James Crowley in 35.40 and their cumulative scoring was good enough for the team to win the Interclub Bronze Team medal behind Annadale and Letterkenny AC.

The Masters team included debutant Tony Keeley and he can be well pleased with his time of 35.26. Desie Shorten, Billy Murphy and Derek Quinn who has just returned to competitive athletics all ran well and this team finished in 8th place out of 14 teams. Ray Fitzsimons (41.37) and Karl Geraghty (43.03) also finished well up the field.

Laura Mc Donnell led home the Tallaght AC Ladies team in 44.15 and this Senior Ladies team of 6 athletes included 4 athletes who were racing over this distance for the first time. Race debutant Paula Murray certainly made her mark following Laura home in a fine time of 47.36. Paula has only recently returned to training and she is sure to be on the podium soon. Aileen Connolly ran a steady race and she led home Marisa Carton, Peig Henry and Susan Holland and this squad will improve further as the season progresses.

Tallaght were also represented by a Ladies Masters Team and all three athletes were competing over the distance for the first time. Patricia Clarke and Janice Mahon entered the final straight locked in a ding-dong battle for the line and Patricia prevailed with a late burst to finish in 49.37 with Janice just two seconds behind. They were followed home by Susan Adams and this team finished up in a very creditable 6th place in the Masters category.