Almost a Gr8 day for O’Flaherty
by Bogusboy

The small matter of 8 seconds was all that separated Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty from winning the 5^th Annual Gr8 Dundrum race.  O’Flaherty has been improving his leg speed in recent weeks and made a determined effort to win the race.  With Brendan Teer of East Down a surprise non-starter O’Flaherty was among the pre-race favourites with Stephen McKinstry and Brendan Grew of North Belfast Harriers.  Alas it would be the former who would deny O’Flaherty the win as he pushed on in the run to the line, recording an impressive 47:05 for the 8.19 miles.  David was very pleased with his performance and is looking forward to improving on his 10k PB of 33:46 at the Seeley Cup at the end of November.  He was closely followed by Barry McConville, Michael King and Marty Melville as Newcastle packed well with 4 in the top 15. A little further back Bob Brown, Colin Pacsoe and Danny O’Boyle were all impressively in the top 50 in a field of 741 finishers.  The remaining 4 (Murdock, McCann, Rice and Cairns) worked together for the first 4 miles and there was little to separate them at the finish, though Murdock did look a little smug as he eased away with the wind on his back in the final mile and finished impressively.  Willie Og McCawley took a second scalp over his former guru and, to make matters worse, brought Cathal Crilly along to add further insult to injury – well done to both on fine performances and to their running mentor John Curry!

Fun and frolics in the hills

Back at the finish there was enough soup and sandwiches to feed a small American state as tales of successes and conditions on the beach were exaggerated out of all proportion!  Well done to Murlough AC on a well organised and smoothly run event.

Other athletes were in action over the weekend with Seamus Lynch recording a victory in The Granite Trail Race.  This saw athletes start on Newcastle’s Central Promenade, before making their way into Donard Forest and up the historic Granite Trail towards the finish at Millstone Quarry. Altogether, this was 2 miles of uphill racing with approximately 1,000ft of ascent.  Seamus Lynch was the winner, with Jack O’Hare, Declan Magee and Samantha McNeilly all turning in fine performances.

The following morning, the hardy bucks took to the hills for the inaugural Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race. First home was Kin Colliston of Borrowdale in 3:57:09.  Newcastle was represented by David Steele (5^th 4:13:54), Deon McNeilly (8^th) Mark King (55^th) and Declan McElroy (62^nd).  Well done to all of the 113 finishers for enduring the often unwelcoming conditions and making it to the end.

We’re all going on a October Bank Holiday

All eyes now turn to Dublin as ‘The Magnificent Nine’ go for glory.  The weeks of intense training are over, the hard miles run and the taper is now in full flow.  Carb depletion will be replaced by excessive carb loading as the athletes prepare for the Bank Holiday weekend.  Jerome ‘The Prophet’ McCrickard has been marshalling his band of merry men and all are in prime condition. Jinxy Farrell has declared himself ‘fighting fit’, while Aidan Brown is really looking forward to the last 6 miles and is going to finish like a train – great confidence from the young man! Norman Smyth has recovered from a serious injury with great speed and will be keen to match his time from London in the spring.  No doubt the ‘Hoka’ shoes will inspire him to great things, or at very least elevate his to very great heights!!! John Kelly and Francie McAlinden have been remarkably disciplined in their training and this sensible attitude will serve them both well on the big day.  Rita Devlin is the only female Newcastle athlete and her gritty determination coupled with all the training with the boys will leave her well placed to record a very good time.  Mark Kendall, one of the North’s most consistent marathoners in recent years is once again in great shape and as ever is looking to improve an impressive PB and keep his run of sub-2:45 performances going – no doubt he will achieve this.  The nonet is completed by Niall Carson, another in the hunt for a close to 3 hour finish.  Niall has been working hard and the group are running in aid of the charity ‘Target Ovarian Cancer’ in memory of sister Oonagh, who tragically died from the disease.  Donations can be made to any member of the team or by following the link on Niall’s Facebook page. Good luck also to the Leitrim Ladies, Monica ‘The Prophetess’ McCrickard and Cathy Morgan as well as Sinead Murtagh and everyone’s favourite ‘lechero’ Niall King. Best wishes to all over the 26.2 miles through ‘streets broad and narrow’.