| Victories for Deirdre Byrne and Gary Murray in Gerry Farnan
For the second year in succession the weather and conditions smiled on
the competitors in the 23rd running of the annual Gerry Farnan races for
women and men, promoted by Metro St. Brigids. The race, in memory of the
late Gerry Farnan former coach to Metro St. Brigids, attracted fields
of 69 and 103 respectively. As usual, as part of the event, the Irish
Masters Association held their trials to select teams to represent Ireland
in the forthcoming 5 nations international, being held this year in the
grounds of Stormont castle in Belfast on November 17th.
The entries for the women’s race were led by Fionnuala Britton,
silver medallist in last year’s European under 23 cross country
championships and first Irish finisher at the World cross country championships
in Mombassa. She also reached the final of the 3000m Steeplechase at the
recent World Championships in Osaka. Not surprisingly, after such a hectic
year she took a well deserved rest and only re-commenced training in the
last two weeks.
Nonetheless, along with her Sli Cualann clubmate Deirdre Byrne and Linda
Byrne from DSD, she headed affairs at the end of the first of three 1
mile laps. At the end of lap 2 the lead was shared by Deirdre Byrne and
Britton with Linda Byrne a short distance back and going out on the last
lap a decisive move was made by Deirdre Byrne who gradually got away from
Britton to come home a comfortable winner. Linda Byrne also found an extra
gear and beat Britton to claim second place on the run-in. The junior
women’s race was won by Ciara McGeean from Lisburn, while the age
categories were won by Pauline Curley (35), Orla Gormley (40), Niamh O’Sullivan
(45), Carmell Parnell (50), Margaret McCreary (55), Joan Coyle (60) and
Ann Woodlock (65). DSD won the team prize from Sli Cualann and Raheny
Shamrocks.
The men’s race, run over 5 laps of 1mile each, also proved to be
of high quality. At the end of the first mile the field was led by a bunch
comprising Gary Murray, Joe Sweeney, Alan McCormack, Brian Farrell, Mick
Clohissy, Cathal Dennehy and Mark Hanrahan. Lap by lap this group was
whittled down with Gary Murray (St. Malachy’s) coming home to finish
a strong and worthy winner. The battle for second and third, provided
the drama of a sprint finish with Joe Sweeney and Brian Farrell neck and
neck all the way to the finish line, both finishing on the same time with
the judges calling it in favour of Sweeney. Brendan O’Neill was
a very impressive winner of the junior race which also provided the host
club’s only prizewinner of the day in Liam Tremble who finished
2nd. The age group categories were won by Kieran Carlin (35), Colm Burke
(40), Paddy Mangan (45) Eugene Moynihan (50), Martin McEvilly (55), Kevin
Toner (60), the evergreen Jim McNamara (65) and Jim McEvoy (70). The Gerry
Farnan trophy was presented to the winners of the men’s team, DSD
who came home ahead of Raheny Shamrocks and North Laois.
Metro St. Brigids gratefully acknowledge the assistance of all our members
whose help on the day and in preparing for the event was vital, to the
members of the Irish Masters Association and the Dublin County Board who
helped out and to Donore Harriers for the use of their premises as race
headquarters.
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