John Travers ran out a clear winner of the Tom Brennan Memorial 5km race in the Phoenix Park on New Year’s Day. A wet and windy day made conditions difficult – and in the circumstances it still proved to be a good day of sport organised by local club Liffey Valley AC. Donore Harriers star man Travers (14.43) was always in command and opened up a gap of about 70 metres on runner-up John Coghlan (14.55) of Metro St. Bridget AC. Brian Keane (15.03) of Leevale AC came 3^rd.

Ian Redican, fresh from his Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield success, won the M40 category in the Caragh 5km, whilst George Brady and Samantha Conroy had wins in the parkrun series at Griffeen Park and Tymon Park respectively. Colin Morrissey achieved a new personal best when placing 2^nd in the Waterstown parkrun.

In the second round of the Women’s Meet and Train Cross Country League, Donore had their usual strong turnout with 11 ladies taking to the frost and mud in Bushy Park.  Similarly to the first round, Kim Hickey ran strongly to finish in second place (12.09) to Lucan’s Niamh Fitzgerald who once again set a blistering pace. Next home was Eva Campion 16th (13.40), Sian O’Conor 18th (13.45), Aisling Swaine 33rd (14.04), Lee Chambers 57th (14.13), Angela O’Dea 62nd (14.51), Meadbh Campbell 69th (15.03), Mary Kingston 71st (15.10), Sue Lynch 113th (16.42) and Ann Woodlock 117th (16.54)

Results in brief:

Tom Brennan Memorial 5km (1/1/15)

1^st John Travers (14.43); 41^st Luke Boland (17.23); 53^rd Des Tremble M40 (18.08); 74^th Derek O’Neill M45 (19.04); 111^th David Wogan M50 (20.24); 115^th Rhona Duane F35 (20.40); 148^th Aoife O’Sullivan (21.45); 188^th Florence Curley F40 (22.43); 191^st Charlie O’Neill M60 (22.44); 330^th Sue Lynch F50 (28.19)

Other results:

Caragh Temple Street Hospital 5km (1/1/15): 4^th / 1^st M40 category Iain Redican (19.19)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 2^nd Colin Morrissey M35 (18.47 – PB)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 1^st George Brady M35 (17.34)

Tymon 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 11^th / 1^st woman Samantha Conroy F35 (21.35)

Hartstown 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 4^th Niall O’Reilly M35 (19.07); 5^th Peter Nugent M45 (19.08)

Marlay 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 9^th Alan Farrell M40 (18.33 – PB)