Feely wins Dromahair run

On your marks.....

The annual Dromahair 4 Mile Run/Walk took place on Sunday, August 19. There was a great field of 140 runners and 35 walkers for the eighth running of this race.

Weather conditions were ideal for the start of the race, which was excellently organised this year again by Tom and Violet Cullen, Danny and Dolores Hannon, and Trevor and Imelda McDaid, in conjunction with North Leitrim Athletic Club. The race has gained popularity and stature and is now a key event in the Sligo/Leitrim athletics calendar. It is also part of the Filan's Centra Sligo Credit Union Road Race League series. 

Liam Feely, winner of the men's race

Win Koenck, runner-up in the men's race

Sligo AC, North Sligo AC, and North Leitrim AC were particularly well represented in the main race, and it was North Leitrim AC runner Liam Feely who took top honours in an impressive time of 21.15. In second place was a visiting runner from USA, Win Koenck, who finished in 22.05, with Raymond Byrne from the Sligo Triathlon Club coming in third in 22.27. 

Aisling van Rensburg, winner of the women's race

North Sligo AC’s Aisling van Rensburg ran a great race to take the senior women’s title in a time of 25.44 with fellow club mate Una McCool taking second place in a time of 26.08. Third woman home was Elizabeth McCabe in 27.44. 

The weather changed dramatically in the latter part of the race, when the skies opened and rain fell incessantly. Despite the heavy rain, the runners and walkers alike battled on, in the knowledge that there would be the usual excellent Dromahair post-race refreshments waiting for them when they finished.

The main event was preceded by a series of children's races for U-6s, U-8s, U-11s and U-14s. The presentation of prizes took place afterwards in the function room in the Blue Devon. Proceeds from this year's race will go to Dromahair Community Playschool.

Dromahair 4 Mile Run and Walk and Children's Races

The annual Dromahair 4 Mile Run and Walk and Children's Races will take place on Sunday 19th August.

This fantastic family event is organised by local runners in association with North Leitrim Athletic Club and has an AAI permit. The race starts and finishes on the Main Street. Registration will take place in the function room in The Blue Devon from 1pm with a €10 entry fee per person. Walkers and runners of all abilities are encouraged to participate. As usual, there will be lots of trophies to be won in a wide selection of categories.

 As well as the main four mile race, which starts at 3pm, there will also be the very popular children’s races, which start at the earlier time of 2pm. The entry fee for the children’s races is €3, and every child that takes part will be given a medal. Prize giving, with refreshments, will take place after the main race, in the function room in The Blue Devon. The proceeds from the Dromahair 4 Mile Run and Walk will go to Dromahair Community Playschool.

Hope to see you all there!

Good Luck Diarmuid and James

As the village gears up for a day of festival fun and frolics, spare a thought for Diarmuid Giblin and James Clinton who are competing this morning in the Athletics Ireland Juvenile National U10 60 metres final this morning, having qualified in style at the Connacht Championships in Galway a fortnight ago. Talented athletes who took Silver in the U9 final last year, the boys travelled to Cork last night as their race is scheduled for 10.30 am today. Good luck boys!

Dromahair Girls in Final

Naomh Padraig Dromahair Under-14 Girls are playing in the Shield Final this evening in Drumkeerin. The match, against Allen Gaels, will kick off at 6.30pm. Why not head over and support the team?

David Downes does a Double

Congratulations to Dromahair's David Downes who completed a "double" Ironman event over last weekend. That is a 4.8 mile swim, 232 mile cycle and a 52.4 mile run! So, a huge achievement. Having the mental ability to overcome the fatigue and discomfort in the process is a skill in itself, not to mention the physical ability! Well done David on a fantastic accomplishment. Happy recovery!

David Downes and Declan Conlon will also be taking part in an Ironman event in Germany in three weeks time.

Congratulations must also go to Imelda McDaid, who topped off a busy week for the high-achieving McDaid family by completing the Mullaghmore Sprint Triathlon yesterday. Well done Imelda!

Young Dromahair athletes make their mark in Connaught Team Event

North Leitrim Athletic Club U9, U10 and U11 competitors took to the track yesterday in Galway to compete in the 2012 Connaught Team Events. The Dromahair area was well represented with a number of athletes having qualified from the County Leitrim finals which took place in Carrick-on-Shannon in May.

One North Leitrim AC team qualified for the national finals to be held in Cork, with the U10 team of Diarmuid Giblin and James Clinton winning Gold in the 60 metres race. This is the boys' second year in a row to qualify for the national finals, having claimed silver in the U9 60m All-Ireland race last year.

The Dromahair juveniles who took part in the Connaught finals in Galway were Ella McDaid (U10 60m & 500m), Diarmuid Giblin & James Clinton (U10 60m & 500m), Carrie McDaid & Rachel McPartland (U11 60m & 600m) and Eoghan Kearns & Emmet Quinn (U11 60m & 600m). Well done to all who competed and represented North Leitrim AC so well. Best of luck to Diarmuid and James in the All-Ireland finals.

Words and pictures courtesy of Trevor McDaid.