Victories for Fionnuala Britton and Mark Christie in Gerry Farnan

For the third year in succession and despite dire forecasts to the contrary, the weather and conditions smiled on the competitors in the 24th 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, was completed by 60 women and 108 men in their respective races.  As usual, as part of the event, the Irish Masters Association held their trials to select teams to represent Ireland in the  Home Countries CC Championships in Swansea on the 15th of November.

A high quality women’s race, which included two of our recent Olympians, Fionnuala Britton and Pauline Curley, was led from the start to finish by Britton who was joined at the head of affairs for 2 or the three 1 mile laps by DSD’s Aoife Byrne, with Hazel Murphy and Deirdre Byrne, last year’s winner, never too far away.  Aoife fell off the pace somewhat on the last lap to be overtaken by Murphy and Byrne who took the 2nd and 3rd places behind comfortable winner, Britton.

The junior women’s race was won by Charlotte Ffrench-O’Carroll, while the age categories were won by Pauline Curley (35), Mary Hanley (40), Anne Donnelly (45), Joan Hough (50), Mags Greenan (55), Joan Coyle (60) and Mary Fitzgerald (65).  DSD won the team prize from Sli Cualann and Tullamore Harriers.

The men’s race, run over 5 laps of 1mile each, also proved to be of high quality, with a large leading bunch remaining together for the first 2 laps.  A number of runners remained in contention over the next 2 laps with the final places being decided over the last mile.  2007 winner Mark Christie took the honours in the end from Alan McCormack, Brian Farrell, Mark Hanrahan, Dan Mulhaire and Mick Clohessy.  Michael Mulhaire was a very impressive winner of the junior race, while the age group categories were won by Pat Byrne (35), Mick Traynor (40), Dominic Bonner (45) Timmy Payne (50), JJ Murphy (55), Pat Comey (60), Terry Meehan (65) and, MSB’s only winner of the day, the evergreen Tadg Twomey (70). The Gerry Farnan trophy was presented to the winners of the men’s team, Raheny Shamrocks who came home ahead of Ferrybank and Letterkenny.

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.

Full results of the race are available here

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