Dunshaughlin road race sees massive turn-out

When you take one sun-drenched balmy evening more suited to the south of France, mix it with a few hundred enthusiastic road racers and add a sprinkling of fun runners, the result you get is perfect conditions and a record entry for Dunshaughlin"s Michael Manning Memorial 10km on Saturday evening. Almost 500 runners put their toe to the line for the start which was on the new link road just off the N3. The new start provided a spectacular sight when they were set off by local lady Phyllis Smith and by the time runners reached the one mile mark in 4.41 minutes, a quartet of Brian Maher, Tommy Evans, Peter Matthews and Paul O"Connell had already emerged from the main field as serious contenders for this popular event. The route took the runners on a loop out through the country roads surrounding Dunshaughlin and 5km was passed in 15.20 with Tommy Evans matching Brian Maher"s early statement of intent. However, Peter Matthews and Paul O"Connell were still within touching distance. Maher displayed great tenacity when he pulled away from Evans to go through four miles in 19.37 and five miles in 24.45. By the time he got back to within shouting distance of the race finish, it was the Kilkenny man and Irish international cross-country athlete Brian Maher who led home the field in a time of 30.36 which put him eighth fastest on the all time list. Evans held on for second in 31.06 with Matthews finishing strongly for third in 31.20. Paul Cowhie (Civil Service) was the first veteran home in a time of 32.51 which put him 12th overall. The men"s team race was convincingly won by Sportsworld Terenure with previous winners Sliabh Bhuire Rovers in second and Mullingar Shamrocks third.  Defending ladies champion Annette Kealy from Raheny was in excellent form and retained her title in a fantastic time of 35.18, the third fastest time ever by a lady in the race. Tullamore"s Elizabeth Cuskelly finished second in a time of 37.01 just four seconds clear of Anne Curley (Donore Harriers). The ladies team race was won by Raheny Shamrocks with Donore Harriers second and Civil Service third. Trim AC had a large number of runners taking part in the Dunshaughlin AC 10km road race. Danny Byrne continues to improve his performances and his 37.44 effort was the best of the Trim finishers. John Canning got under the 40 mark for the first time in the M40 grade with a 39.29 run. Best of the women was Maureen Lowther in a time of 43.45. Trim AC"s David Hawcroft finished second place in the M60 category recording a time of 42.14. In the senior women"s category Aine Kenny secured fifth place in 42.29. Other Trim results were Brian Cully 34.09; Nick Nally 46.43; John Rowe 44.09; Julie Ann White 50.32; Enda Markey 41.14; Declan Swords 42.04. The Bohermeen squad was led by Derek Croal with Dermot Farrelly, Declan Byrne David Leonard, David Hurley, James Shanley and Linda Gunning also in action. With former member Richard Ball making a racing return after 15 years in the masters grade, other Bohermeen AC runners in action included Ollie Declan, Gary Keogan, Damien Hilliard and Keith Murray. Dunboyne athlete Fiona Reid was the sixth lady home. Reid has improved her personal best every race this season. Catherine Dunne was 10th home in the ladies event while she secured second place in the o-40 category. Dunboyne"s team performance was improved by Eileen Thorma whose 30th placing ensured the Dunboyne team finished in joint third position. There were good runs also from Sean Kinnane and Paul Gorey.