Press Release

Press Enquiries to: Mick Rice (Athenry AC) Ph: 087 2896989 or by

email at [email protected] .

For Immediate Use

Orla O'Mahony and Seamus Power claimed individual gold medals in

Athenry at the AAI National Championships on Sunday, 20 April.

The women's winner, in the colours of Raheny Shamrocks, was well

clear of he nearest rival Caitriona Jennings, representing

Rathfarnham, who was a minute and a half further back. Gladys

Ganiel from Abbey AC was the bronze medallist. The men's

championship was a much tighter affair with Clare's Seamus Power

leading from the gun but never establishing an unassailable lead.

His nearest rival was local favourite Paul McNamara of Athenry

AC, twice a winner of this championship in the past, who gave

chase throughout. Paul had narrowed the gap to just five seconds

at the finish but could do no better. Cork native Alan O'Shea of

Bantry AC who won this event twelve months ago had to settle for

third place this time.

Race hosts Athenry AC attracted many compliments for their

stewarding of the race and their strong representation in the

competition itself. No fewer than forty-seven local runners took

part in the colours of Athenry AC. There was also a strong entry

from the other Galway clubs including Galway City Harriers,

Craughwell AC, Tuam AC, Loughrea AC and Clare River Harriers. It

had been fifty years since the East Galway town had hosted such a

prestigious athletics Championship and a small number of the

athletes who had competed in 1958 were there to witness events

this Sunday all those years later. Derrydonnell AC's Tommy

Madden was able to swap memories with the evergreen Harry Gorman

of Donore Harriers about that historic race in Mellows College

fifty years ago.

Amongst the various age divisions there was further success for

Galway runners. Athenry AC's Ann Carter claimed a bronze medal

in the highly competitive V2 division while Bernie Kelly and

Martin McEvilly from Galway City Harriers and Andrea Ridge from

Tuam AC were medallists in their respective divisions. Gerry

Forde from Blarney Inniscarra AC was first home in the wheelchair

division.

Outgoing President of the AAI Michael Heary, who was officiating

at his last National Championship Event complimented athletes and

organisers on a highly success, safe and enjoyable day's racing.

Results Summary:

Individual Men

1. Seamus Power (Kilmurray/Ibrickane AC) 30:27

2. Paul McNamara (Athenry AC) 30:32

3. Alan O'Shea (Bantry AC) 31:14

Individual Women

1. Orla O'Mahony (Raheny Shamrocks) 35:20

2. Caitriona Jennings (Rathfarnham WSAF AC) 36:51

3. Gladys Ganiel (Abbey AC) 37:06

Senior Team Men

1. Rathfarnham WSAF AC

2. Raheny Shamrocks AC

3. Letterkenny AC

Senior Team Women

1. Donore Harriers AC

2. Sportsworld AC

3. Mayo AC

For more race details see http://www.AthenryAC.com or

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/ .

Email enquiries to [email protected] .