Fogarty seals another series victory with half marathon display
From Ferbane AC's point of view, last Saturday's Bord na Móna Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon proved a very successful event.
The club is delighted to report an excellent showing from members. Once again one of the club's standard bearers and leading man Mick Fogarty produced an excellent display to claim sixth place overall in a time of 1:10:30.
Mick has now added the Offaly Endurance Race Series to the 5K Road Race Series win he wrapped up earlier in the summer.
In addition to the Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon, the other races in the Offaly Endurance Series were the Ashling Murphy 4 Mile race, the Jack Cox 10K race (hosted by Kilcormac Killoughey AC) and the Frank Kilrane 10 Mile (organised by Edenderry AC).
"We no longer have the words to acclaim one of the all-time greats," said a Ferbane AC spokesperson, when congratulating Mick on another silverware laden season.
Bridget O’Sullivan was first female for Ferbane AC in an excellent 1:34:21 and rounds off a superb road racing season in some style.
In the senior team events, the Ferbane AC men's team (Mick Fogarty, Paul Buckley, Niall Kelly and Paul Conlon) took second place in the Offaly championship category, and the ladies team (Bridget O’Sullivan, Colette Anderson, Michelle Feighery and Edel Waldron) also impressed.
The race itself was an exciting affair made all the more memorable by friends and supporters cheering on our runners throughout the morning. With the incessant showers of the previous day, there was a real fear the poor weather might continue into last Saturday for the annual Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon which incorporated the National and Leinster Half Marathon Championships.
It was also the final event in the Offaly Endurance Race Series. Fortunately, the weather conditions held up perfectly with nothing more than light drizzles which are often a runner's friend in these summer races. The event was very well organised by Tullamore Harriers with scores of race marshals and car park stewards ensuring as safe an environment as possible for participants.
Full Ferbane AC results as follows: Mick Fogarty 1:10:30, Paul Buckley 1:15:57, Niall Kelly 1:17:48, Paul Conlon 1:17:55, Oran Buckley 1:27:50, Tim Camon 1:32:40, Bridget O'Sullivan 1:34:21, Dermot Egan 1:34:57, Peter O'Brien 1:38:43, Francis Connolly 1:39:07, Colette Anderson 1:42:30, Michelle Feighery 1:43:18, Edel Waldron 1:45:35, Joe Carroll 1:47:54, Ann Carroll 1:50:08, Michael Guinan 1:50:10, Catriona Guinan 1:50:24, James Dooley 1:51:00, Roseanne Madden Grennan 1:51:04, John Bennett 2:06:34.
Antrim Coast Half Marathon
Moving further afield to the scenic Antrim Coast Half Marathon, another of Ferbane AC's top runners, Donagh McBrearty, blitzed his way around the course in a fantastic time of 1:17:56. Donagh has also had an excellent road racing season in Offaly and all involved in club are absolutely delighted to see him perform so well up North.