Longford Athletics Club members produce impressive performances at Dublin Marathon

Longford Athletics Club members produced impressive performances at the Dublin Marathon last Sunday on the 26.2-mile course. 

John Scott led the Longford contingent home with an exceptional run recording a personal best on Irish soil with 2:48. Enda Coffey and Anne Brady also delivered outstanding efforts in under 3:30.

There were notable performances as well from Nathan Fitzmaurice, Michael O’Hara, Seamus Murtagh, Stephen McDermott, Charlie Barone and Patryk Prusak. 

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For several members, Sunday marked their fastest marathon in recent years which was testament to months of dedicated training.

Unable to take part in Dublin, Barry Hall instead completed a 130km cycle tour of county Longford on Friday in challenging weather conditions to raise money for a local fundraiser.

CONNACHT CROSS COUNTRY

It was to Enniscrone on Sunday last for the Connacht Cross Country with it being the turn of the Juvenile Even Ages and the second round of the Senior League.

First up was the under-10 girls 1000m as sisters Isabelle and Enya Madden each put in superb runs with both placing inside the top 40.

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Páidí O’Neill led home the Longford crew in the U10 boys 1000m with a brilliant run placing eighth of 103 finishers for a top 12 finisher medal. There were strong runs too by John Kane, Luke Lenehan and Eoin Finnegan.

Eoin’s sister Ella lined up in the U14 3000m along with Julie Taitt. Julie’s ninth place secured her spot at next month’s National finals in Derry while Ella, running a year up, gained good experience.

The U16 girls 4000m saw a fantastic performance by Orla Miney who is having an excellent season. Orla placed third in a high-quality race to win a bronze medal and book her place at Nationals following a super effort.

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There was an impressive run too by Rian McCaffrey for a third-place finish on the energy sapping course in the U16 boys 4000m. Ground conditions had cut up badly in parts but that didn’t deter Oisín Dillon, Luke Morgan and Daniel Higgins from running strongly also as the quartet combined to place second in the team standings ensuring all qualified for Nationals. 

The final race of the day was the men’s 6000m with Barry Sheil the third-place finisher.

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