Lost Sheep Triathlon- National Middle Distance Championships
Three 24/7 members made the long journey to Kenmare for the famous Lost Sheep Triathlon hosted by
Cork Tri Club. This year’s event played host to the Triathlon Ireland National Middle Distance
Championships. It was a very close and exciting race between Hugh Gallagher and John Connaghan of
24/7.
Hugh started out with a superb swim of 29:21 and followed that up with a very good 2:42 bike
split before a strong 1:46 half marathon to finish in an overall time of 5:03:40. Just 39 seconds separated
him and John Connaghan.
John also had a superb race, a 30:42 swim, 2:40:41 bike split and 1:47:28 half marathon ensure John claimed first place in the M55-59 age category in an overall time of 5:04:19.
Donagh O’Sullivan also put in a good performance over the challenging terrain which includes the
infamous Healy Pass. Donagh finished in a time of 6:09:41.
Lough Key Triathlon
Closer to home thirteen club members made their way to the very popular Lough Key Triathlon on
Sunday Morning.
Always a favourite race of Lester Speer’s he put in a brilliant performance and was first 24/7 member to cross the finish line in a time of 1:29:12, second in the M55-59 category, just missing out on first place by 15 seconds.
Alastair Hetherington was back in racing action, this time just the sprint distance for the Ironman.
Hetherington had a brilliant race finishing in 1:31:13. Brian Gormley, 1:33:21, and Barry McLaughlin, 1:33:43 had a very tight race with just 22 seconds separating them.
Emmet McClafferty, having a very good debut season also raced well finishing in an overall time of 1:34:30. Kevin Hennessy had better luck this time out and finished in 1:36:21.
Terence Quinn also put in a good performance crossing the line in 1:40:19. Terence must be commended for his great sportsmanship-lending a pair of brand new runners to fellow club mate Barry McLaughlin so he could complete his race.
Not only that, but Terence also gave his Lough Key hoodie to a fellow participant who didn’t receive one.
Peter McLean was hot on Terence’s heels with just 20 seconds between the two. Paul Kelly had another
fine race finishing with an overall time of 1:41:07. Christy Callaghan, as consistent as always finished in
1:44:36.
Elaine Gallagher had a brilliant performance with a great time of 1:44:39. Carol McCabe also
performed well crossing the line in 2:03:10.
Sheral Hetherington had a super performance on what was her debut sprint distance triathlon. Sheral finished in a brilliant 2:13:39. Congrats to everyone, especially Sheral on her first sprint.
Waterside Half Marathon
Despite the humid warm and windy conditions, 24/7 competitors all ran very well at the Waterside Half
Marathon in Derry on Sunday morning.
Just a few weeks after his Ironman performance, Adam Speer was the first club member to cross the finish line at Sunday’s Waterside Half marathon in a brilliant 1:18:38. Gavin Crawford, ahead of his Dublin Marathon in October had a strong run of 1:24:15.
Paddy McGee had a superb run of 1:30:36. Catherine McKinley is also showing great form ahead of Dublin
Marathon with a strong performance finishing in 1:39:43, just 4 seconds off her personal best.
Johnny Duffy also ran well crossing the line in 1:42:17 while brother in law Stephen Sweeney wasn’t too far behind in 1:44:34. Another two ladies signed up for the Dublin Marathon, Cathy Harvey, 2:07:36 and Georgina Dill, 2:11:35, also had brilliant results – Georgina with a personal best performance.
Cycling Round-up
Two of 24/7’s youth’s attended the recent 2018 Irish National Cycling Youth Championships in Dunloy.
On Saturday morning over 230 riders faced an uphill TT start, followed by rolling distance of 7.5km,
Saturday afternoon was the Road Race Championships with laps of a 7.4km circuit featuring the
Glenbuck Climb each time- one lap for U11 and four laps for U15.
The Criterium on Sunday morning was a 2.4km Dunloy Town centre loop.
5k Roundup
In the Donegal Athletics 5k, held on Sunday morning in Letterkenny, Natasha Kelly had a superb run with
a personal best of 18:44 to finish third female. Paul Doherty made a welcome return to racing after his recent surgery to finish in an impressive 19:26. Well done to Caroline McCabe, 46:10, and Maoliosa McCabe, 57:28, who took part in Friday night’s Sean McCumhaill’s 5k.
Club Meeting
A club meeting will be held next Monday, September 10 at 8pm upstairs in The Kitchen. We would
love as many club members to attend as possible.
Club Survey
A club Survey has been emailed to all members ahead of the club meeting. We would appreciate if
members took a bit of time to complete the survey ahead of Monday’s meeting. Please complete before
Friday, September 8.
SAVE THE DATE
The 2018 24/7 Club Awards night will take place in Arena 7 on Friday, November 30.
Saturday Swim Sessions
Saturday swim sessions will resume on Saturday, September 15.
Club Training
Club training continues as follows:
Tuesday: Road based session 6.30pm SHARP from Foxhall until further notice. Wednesday: Swim session- Beginners 7-8pm, All others 8-9pm. Saturday: Club cycle from Aura at 8am. Saturday: Due to decreasing numbers Sat swim sessions have been cancelled for the summer months. PLEASE NOTE: Sessions will resume Saturday, September, 15.
Full Results
Lost Sheep Triathlon- Middle Distance Championships
Hugh Gallagher 5:03:40
John Connaghan 5:04:19 1 st 55-59
Donagh O’Sullivan 6:09:41
Lough Key Triathlon
Lester Speer 1:29:12 2nd M55-59
Alastair Hetherington 1:31:13
Brian Gormley 1:33:21
Barry McLaughlin 1:33:43
Emmet McClafferty 1:34:30
Kevin Hennessy 1:36:21
Terence Quinn 1:40:19
Peter McLean 1:40:39
Paul Kelly 1:41:07
Christy Callaghan 1:44:36
Elaine Gallagher 1:44:39
Carol McCabe 2:03:10
Sheral Hetherington 2:13:39
Waterside Half Marathon
Adam Speer 1:18:38
Gavin Crawford 1:24:15
Paddy McGee 1:30:36
Catherine McKinley 1:39:43
Johnny Duffy 1:42:17
Stephen Sweeney 1:44:34
Cathy Harvey 2:07:36
Georgina Dill 2:11:35 PB
Irish National Cycling Youth Championships
U11 Daniel Mc Gettigan, TT 13th, RR 12th, Crit 9th.
U15 Ciarán Mc Gettigan; TT 19th. RR 9th.Crit 7th
Donegal Athletics 5k
Natasha Kelly 18:44 3 RD Female PB
Paul Doherty 19:26
Sean McCumhaill 5k
Caroline McCabe 46:10
Maoliosa McCabe 57:28
