Jan 31, 2010 [Noel Guiden] The first big road race of 2010 was the Raheny 5 this afternoon in downtown Raheny. With an estimated 2,000 starters this was the biggest Raheny 5 to date. Included in the field was a substancial number of Clonliffe athletes, in excess of 30 black and amber clad Harriers entering the lions den. Getting his final run out before the European Clubs was Sergiu Ciabanu placing 4th in 24:33 some 20 seconds off race winner and defending champion Sean Connolly (Tallaght AC). Good runs also from Joseph Cooper and Philip O`Doherty, the sprint for the line being won by Joseph as both athletes recorded 28 minutes dead, 42nd and 43rd. Stephen Cleary was only eight second off this pair in 48th (28:08).
Also breaking the 30 minute barrier were Terry McLoughlin 28:53, Ernie Ramsey 29:11, Robert Cleary 29:15, Mark Birmingham 29:32, Conor Delaney 29:37 and new boy Brian O`Sullivan 29:59! The Clonliffe team placed 5th.
Next bunch of Clonliffe men included Eoin Murray 30:34, Jeremy Chapman 30:50, Fergus Keenan 31:25 and making a return to racing Kieran Murphy 31:26. Pat Bonass as predicted by Paddy Power was 1st O/65 in an excellent 33:25. Colm Breen ran 33:51, Pat Devitt 34:08, Colm Doran 34:24, Seamus Greenan, running his annual race ran 34:26, Trevor Wisdom 36:52, Chris Troy 36:57 and Pat O`Rourke 37:57.
Our women were also out in force lead home by Ailish McDermott just outside of the 30 minutes in 30:05 12th lady. Joyce O`Hare had yet another good run today running 31:45, Maura Matthews 32:33, Mags Greenan provided the club`s second winner of the race 1st O/50 in 33 minutes dead. Good performances also by Bronah NiBhriain 33:33, Rachel McBride 35:36, Maria Watson 45:51 and Claire Galvin and Ciara Faherty both 47:33. (Sorry if I`ve missed anyone). The women`s team placed 4th.
Well done to Raheny Shamrocks on another very successful promotion.
Declan Power who had an excellent year in 2009 gave Raheny a miss heading to the sunny south east instead for yesterday`s Dungarvan 10 Mile. Declan`s impressive 55:11 for 10th place shows that he`s well on course for an equally good 2010.