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Saturday night last, 31 August, saw the local action move to Shanaglish, outside Gort, and the 4th running of the Martin Egan [*] Memorial 10KM.  A poorish turnout of 73 (only 27 of whom were club affiliated) took to the hills and valleys of the area, over the now familiar pan-handled course.  Margaret Walsh (South Galway AC) and her local committee put on a great show and all for only E15. The organisers were a bit disappointed with the turnout on the evening, which was conducive to road racing, albeit a bit windy.

First local home was Ciaran Diviney, who was kept honest by long-time athlete and fellow local, Iggy Landers, who looked comfortable breaking 40.  Martin Egan would have looked down and nodded at his approval of the Shanaglish AC athlete finishing with the local club colours on.  Declan Egan was on hand to present a perpetual cup to Ciaran as first local in memory of Martin, his uncle.

First women home was Grainne Ní Ualiacháin of GCH in a good time, followed by Amy O'Grady, with third place being occupied by popular athlete, GCH's Michelle Lynch, who is coming back from a very long injury lay-off.  Welcome back, girl!  Aside: Bernie Kelly, is also, reportedly, back on the road too.

Kenny Rogers of St John's won the men's race by over two minutes from ex-Athenry AC's Conor Dolan, with Cappamore, Co. Limerick man Mike Cunningham coming third, thereby making the long journey worthwhile.  The latter is well on his way to breaking his completed races record of 2012, when he finished 106; yes one hundred and six.  He said afterwards that Martin Egan was his second race of the day, having completed a running leg in a triathlon earlier that afternoon.

Both local and well-known road racing photographers were at the event, John S. O'Connor and Francis Kennedy.

A full provisional result is attached.

[*] Margaret produced a beautiful 32 page booklet on Martin Egan for the race last year, which is still available from her.  One of the contributors to the booklet, and good friend of Martin Egan, has died since and should be remembered at this time: Stephen Killeen.  RIP!

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