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Masters Set for International Duty Malcolm McCausland reports |
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Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series 2005 Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series 2004 Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series 2003 Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series 2001
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Dermot Connolly (127) on the way to his first international vest (Photo: Declan Roughan) The Northwest looks set to have a healthy representation of athletes in next month’s British & Irish Cross Country International in Dublin following some impressive performances in the trial race on Saturday. Held in conjunction with the Comber Cup on a tough circuit around the Billy Neill Soccer Centre at Dundonald, the race attracted a field of almost 100 from all quarters of the province. Declan McCarthy in sixth spot was the first local across the line. But with only the first four in each age group guaranteed selection, the Kilfennan accountant will be on tenterhooks for the next few days while he waits to see if he has done enough to secure one of the two discretionary places. No sweat for Sammy McAnaney who put behind him a mediocre performance at the Donegal Championships two weeks earlier to lead home the M45s. Waterside GP Dermot Connolly is set to gain his first international vest following an inspirational run to take second in the age group. Omagh Harrier Brendan Montague also looks like having an uncomfortable few days after finishing fifth place in the M50s. Although Gerry Lynch almost missed the start of the race, he was right on time when proceedings got under way and looks set to be wearing a green vest a Santry Demesne after taking third place in the M60s. The M65s ran a separate race which saw retired Limavady civil servant Jimmy Reid first across the line. Up front Alan McCullough was an impressive winner of the trial coming home a massive 76 seconds ahead of runner up Mark Kirk in a time of 23 minutes 40 seconds. Another newcomer to the veterans’ ranks Peter Murtagh took third in 25:13.
Paula McGilloway’s hopes of a spot on the F40 team look to have vanished after her shoe came apart on the opening circuit. Nevertheless, the lower Creggan woman ploughed on to finish a plucky fifth in the age group. Omagh Harrier Julie Butler was a convincing winner of the senior women’s race after an exciting duel with Lagan Valley’s Suzanne McCormick. In the feature event for senior men Deane Fisher comfortably saw off the challenge of Kevin Seaward with third place going to Dave Simpson. Paula with remnants of her shoe
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While
53-year-old Karen Marshall was the first first woman across the line to take
the honours in the female masters’ trial, City of Derry’s Shelagh Bodkin had
the race of her life to finish first of the F35s.