Lough Cutra Castle in Gort, Co. Galway was the location for the Castle Triathlon series at the weekend. The series saw a total of 34 events hosted over the course of two days.
National Middle Distance Aquabike Championships
The National Middle Distance Aquabike Championships was one such event and club member Hugh Gallagher had a superb race. The race swim was slightly longer than expected but Hugh had a brilliant time of 34:39 for the 2100m swim and an impressive 2:58:04 bike split for the 96km course. Hugh finished a fantastic 14th overall in a time of 3:36:08.
National Series Standard Distance Triathlon
Shane McNulty was in action in the National Series Standard Distance triathlon on Sunday and is showing superb form ahead of Sheephaven Half in June and Ironman Copenhagen in August. Shane had a strong swim exiting the water in 38:36, he went on to clock a superb 1:13:34 for the bike course and ran a brilliant 42minute 10k to cross the finish line in a brilliant 2:37:24. Shane was 2nd in his M40-44 age category.
Sprint Distance Triathlon
On Saturday, Emma McGee took on the sprint triathlon. Emma had a fantastic race, finishing 2nd female overall in a superb time of 1:32:53. Emma had a great swim of 19:03, despite it being longer than the expected 750m, before a 46:07 bike split and onto a 24:16 run to finish.
Super Sprint Distance Triathlon
Amanda Witherow took on the super sprint event on the Saturday. Amanda was one of the chosen 20×20 ambassadors – a national movement to champion girls and women in sport- for the event. Amanda’s swim was a lot longer than the expected course, but she had a fantastic race and crossed the line in a brilliant time of 2:11:55.
Kings Challenge Aquathon
On Saturday Siobhan Brennan and Colin Dean travelled to the Kings Challenge Aquathon at Glencar Lough in Sligo. Siobhan Brennan was 1st female in a fantastic time of 36:30 – after a superb 10:52 swim and a 24:56 run split. Colin Dean also had a fine race and despite being disappointed with his swim time of 15:28, he made up for it with a fantastic run of 21:25 to take the prize for 3rd Male, crossing the finish line in a total time of 37:28.
Crana Swim Series- Ned’s Point to Ludden 2.5k
The second swim in the Crana Swim series saw three club members take on the Ned’s Point to Ludden 2.5k swim on Saturday.
Paddy Bond had strong swim of 49:23 with Tom Murray not long behind him in 50:50. Elaine Gallagher also swam very well exiting the water in a brilliant time of 54:19.
This week’s Running Round-Up:
Carmen AC 1Mile Road Relays
On Friday night, three club members took on the Carmen AC 1Mile Road Relays as part of their LAC Club teams. Niamh McDaid ran 6:28 and was part of the Senior Women’s Team who finished 2nd overall. Ciaran O’Donnell ran a brilliant 6:00 with Cathal Roarty just 5 seconds behind him in 6:05- both were part of the Masters Men’s Team which finished 3rd overall.
Drumman NS 5K
Mary Bond had another fine 5k run finishing in 25:49 at the Drumman NS 5K.
Fureys Insurance Buncrana 5k
At the renowned Fureys Insurance 5k held in Buncrana last Wednesday, there was some very impressive running from 24/7 members on what is always a fierce and fast course.
Paul Cullen was the first club member to cross the finish line in a fantastic 16:42, just one second slower than his 16:41 PB that he set at Trentagh 5k just a week previously. Despite the longer training miles in preparation of Ironman Cork at the end of June, Gavin Crawford is still clocking up some fast times and crossed the line in 17:04.
Paul Dillon is showing some great form this season and on Wednesday he ran a superb 17:12- smashing his PB of 17:37, which he achieved on the same course in 2018. Paul Doherty is making a great return to running following last year’s surgery and was back in familiar sub 18 territory clocking a fantastic 17:53.
Jason King was delighted to dip into the sub 18’s also, running a season’s best of 17:58. Liam Tinney also had a brilliant run, crossing the line just three seconds later in a time of 18:01.
Fionnuala Larkin took 22seconds off her most recent PB from the Educate Together 5k and ran a very impressive 19:33.
Ciaran O’Donnell had a brilliant run of 19:53, with Paul O’Donnell hot on his heels in 19:55. Aidan McFadden had a brilliant run also to finish with a 20:55 PB.
Anne Robinson took 23 seconds off her InterFirms 5k to run fantastic new PB time of 21:19, with Niamh McDaid putting in a brilliant sprint finish to cross the line just one second behind Anne in 21:20. Karol Harvey had a brilliant run- he smashed his previous PB of 22:26 by 33seconds to set a new PB of 21:53.
Rachael Stilvern did similar- she had a superb race to take 29seconds off her PB- crossing the line in 22:48. Patrick Patton is making brilliant progress since the start of the season and once again ran very well to clock a time of 24:21.
Drumoghill 5k
At Tuesday evenings Drumoghill 5k Pat Brady won the M50 with a brilliant run of 20:09. Samuel Rankin was also in action and crossed the line in a fantastic 22:52.
Run Session Tuesday 4th June
Please note the planned run session for Tuesday 4th June will be the Convoy AC 5k. Start time 7.30pm.
Club Notes
All members are encouraged to contact club PRO Fiona McDaid if they are competing in events and want to be included in club notes. It is great to see so many members take part in events each week so please submit your results. Results can be sent to 0879044287.
Club Training
Club training continues as follows:
Monday: Gartan Open water sessions. In the water for 6.30 SHARP. Please see email for more information on the rules of Open water sessions at Gartan.
Tuesday: Please note Tuesday 4th June Run Session will be the Convoy AC 5k Start time 7.30pm
Wednesday: Swim session- Novice 7-8pm, Intermediate/Advanced 8-9pm
Thursday: Brick/TT Session-30th May  Â
Brick Session –7pm SHARP at Foxhall
Marshals: Emmet McClafferty, Martina O’Donnell
Saturday: Club cycle from Aura at 8am- All members must have front and rear lights to take part in the club session.
Saturday: Club swim session Saturday at 6pm Additional lane added for 14-16yr old club members- MUST be accompanied by a parent (please note prepayment does not cover Saturday swim).
Full Results
Castle Triathlon Series- Lough Cutra Triathlon
National Middle Distance Aquabike Championships
Hugh Gallagher 3:36:08
National Series Standard Distance Triathlon
Shane McNulty 2:37:24 2nd M40-44
Sprint Distance Triathlon
Emma McGee 1:32:53 2nd Female
Super Sprint Distance Triathlon
Amanda Witherow 2:11:55
Kings Challenge Aquathon
Siobhan Brennan 36:30 1st Female
Colin Dean 37:28 3rd Male
Crana Swim Series- Ned’s Point to Ludden 2.5k
Paddy Bond 49:23
Tom Murray 50:50
Elaine Gallagher 54:19
Carmen AC 1Mile Road Relays
Niamh McDaid 6:28 2nd Senior Women’s Team
Ciaran O’Donnell 6:00 3rd Masters Men’s Team
Cathal Roarty 6:05 3rd Masters Men’s Team
Drumman NS 5K
Mary Bond 25:49
Fureys Insurance Buncrana 5k
Paul Cullen 16:42
Gavin Crawford 17:04
Paul Dillon 17:12 PB
Paul Doherty 17:53
Jason King 17:58
Liam Tinney 18:01
Fionnuala Larkin 19:33 PB
Ciaran O’Donnell 19:53
Paul O’Donnell 19:55
Aidan McFadden 20:55 PB
Anne Robinson 21:19 PB
Niamh McDaid 21:20
Karol Harvey 21:53 PB
Rachael Stilvern 22:48 PB
Patrick Patton 24:21
Drumoghill 5k
Pat Brady 20:09 1st M50
Samuel Rankin 22:52
