Athenry Men’s and Women’s teams Take Silver In County 10k Champs

While it came as little surprise, on current form, that GCH’s Gerry Ryan claimed the County Galway 10k title at the Claregalway 10k this weekend, there was a surprise winner of the women’s race when recent Athenry AC recruit Ann Carter claimed her first senior county gold medal. As usual the race was very well attended and superbly organised by the host club Clare River Harriers. Roughly 180 club and recreational runners went to the start line for what has become one of the most attractive fixtures on the county’s running calendar. Fresh from his recent high profile wins on the roads of Galway and Dublin Gerry Ryan was an obvious favourite to claim the men’s division and that favouritism proved well founded as he absolutely coasted to victory. Gerry’s nearest challengers on the road were Clonliffe Harrier’s Robert Malseed and Mayo AC’s John Byrne.

Athenry Men's Team

Ann Carter, a relative novice to road racing, ran superbly to claim the women’s title, providing her new club, Athenry AC, with a rare senior county title. Ann just missed ducking below the forty minute barrier but had done enough to finish ahead of GCH pairing Michelle Lynch and Regina Casey. Indeed Ann led a team of Athenry AC women with Grannie Breen and Maria Hehir to claim silver medals in the team event behind the women of GCH. Special mention amongst the women’s team members must go to Maria Hehir who raced despite being in attendance at a wedding on the same day. Now that’s what we call dedication to the cause! The women’s side of the club has grown in strength from week to week this year and it gave all of us old-timers great satisfaction to see the Athenry women sporting county medals on Saturday evening. Our warmest congratulations go to all the team members.

Gerry Ryan - GCH - County Champ

The Athenry men had been aiming to improve on their second place team finishes from 2005 and 2006 but in the end had to be content with another batch of silver medals. This year Craughwell AC fielded a very strong team and won the men’s team competition easily. The men of Tuam took home the bronze team medals. Brian O’Connor was first home for the men, followed by Seamie Gilhooley, Alan Burke, Mick Rice, Peter Delmer, Dave Dunne, Frank Burke, Tony Daly and others. Sorry if I’ve missed your name but as I’ve a head like a sieve and no results sheet perhaps you can forgive me.

Tuam Men's Team

We’ll post full results as soon as we have them and a set of pics later in the week.