Plenty of Local Iron on display

Post date: Sep 3, 2012 8:05:01 PM

The village turned out in numbers to support many local participants in the Ironman race. There The event begins with a 1.9K swim in the crystal-clear waters of Galway Bay before athletes take on a challenging 90K bike course. There were 924 individual competitorsWith a spectator-friendly (if not athelete friendly) 21.1K run course through the Salthill area of Galway. Pride of place goes to Martin Divilly of Dromavoughan who made it into the top 100 in 98th place in a time of 5 hours 8 minutes and 38 seconds just seven seconds ahead Simon Cunningham of Clooniffe in 99th place. However Simon was 5th in his 18-24 category while Martin was 13th in his 35-39 category. Two places and 17 seconds later came Brian O'Donnell of Tooreeny who was also only two places behind Martin in the same category.

Although listed as a GB participant, Gary Lyons from Uggool originally was 140th in a time of 5.16.26. He was separated from his fellow Uggool man, Pat O'Dwyer, in 231st in a time of 5.28.20 by Peter Payton of Ballinahallia in 171st but a fine 8th in his category of 45-49 in a time of 5.20.47. Pat was 21st in that same category.

Spencer Perkins of Curra in 393rd in a time of 5.45.19 stayed ahead of Noel Faherty of Kilrainey in 456th and a time of 5.53.01. Our first woman home was Rebecca McLaughlin from the often disputed enclave of Woodstock with a time of 5.31.32, 17th woman and 4th in category. Next was Leagaun's Niamh Ní Fhatharta under six hours in 5.56.54, in 42nd in the women's event and 11th in category. One place behind Niamh and also under six hours was Karen Cassidy of Ballinahallia in a time of 5.57.32. She bettered her Ballinahallia neighbour, Peter, by finishing 6th in category.

Paraic Oates of Tooreeny was had a vocal group of supporters in Moycullen who were chanting his name before he left the water in Salthill. Paraic made it home in 6.21.02. All-Ireland winner, Paul Clancy whose training was disrupted by a recall to arms for the crucial Killanin championship game finished in 6.45.52.

There was a local element in two of the competing relay teams. Niamh Ní Fhatharta was pursued in the water by brother and Senior player, Seosamh and on the bike by mother, Áine, who had to curtail her birthday celebrations on the night before. David Bohan missed Friday's Junior game to put in a creditable 1.42.06 to try and haul her back on the run but the team finished 14 minutes behind Niamh in 6.08.14 and in 20th position in the mixed relay. Under 10 coach, Eddie Moloney from Ballinahalia was also part of all male relay team. The "Three Amigos" Ian Reidy, Richard Ash, with Eddie running to the finish came 13th in the all male category in a time of 6.03.03.

Congratulations to all 17 of our neighbours who completed the gruelling 110km event, some not for the first time. They will be glad to know that as well as coming out and cheering them on, we in the spirit of the day took on the gruelling events of welly throwing, pillow fighting, gingerbread man elimination and apple pie eating.

Of which more later!!!!