Plenty of Offaly interest in national 10km race
National championship action returns to the roads this weekend as over 1600 participants take to the start line of the Dunboyne 10k, many of whom will be battling it out for national honours at 12pm on Sunday (March 24).
Mucklagh native Ann Marie McGlynn is seen as one of the leading contenders in the women’s race. Last year’s national marathon champion, McGlynn was in action in Portlaoise recently where she took the 5k win in 16.19.
A member of Letterkenny AC, McGlynn was followed home by Grace Lynch (DSD), Cliona Murphy (DCH), and Catherine Mullen (Metro/St Brigid’s) around the streets of Portlaoise and all three athletes will likely be with the leaders from the off once again.
Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers), who will travel to Serbia next week for the World Cross Country Championships, is another local athlete to keep an eye on.
Donegan is one of 17 Tullamore Harriers athletes listed to take part in Dunboyne (see list below).
Edenderry AC and the Daingean-based Naomh Mhuire AC will also be well represented at the race.
Mick Fogarty will fly the flag for Ferbane AC, with the Athlone native having recently won the Tullamore Harriers 5k race.
The men’s race includes the top three placed finishers from the Streets of Portlaoise 5k which took place on St Patrick’s Day. Pierre Murchan (DCH) was first home on that occasion, in a winning time of 14.24, ahead of Emmet Jennings (DSD) and Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers).
City of Derry Spartans and Raheny Shamrock AC will be out to defend their senior team titles, while the category honours look as hard as ever to call with quality athletes sprinkled throughout Sunday’s entry.
The members of Offaly clubs listed to compete in the Dunboyne 10k are as follows.
Tullamore Harriers AC: Glen Finlay, Pauric Ennis, Rita Daly Ravenhill, Anne Daly, Sean Reynolds, Mary Galvin, Noreen Hunt, Aisling McCormack, Danielle Donegan, Paul Mitchell, Niamh O'Connor, Barry Mooney, Jonathan Dunne, Micheal O'Brien, Sarah Flanagan, Sharon Daly, Anna Hyland Guilfoyle.
Edenderry AC: David Farrell, Elizabeth McNevin, Shaun Bull, Emma Foy, Aisling O'Connor, Brian Duffy, Leona Farrell, James Donoghue.
Naomh Mhuire AC: Brendan Donagher, Gerard Cleary, Kevin Looby, Darren Bermingham, Liam Murphy.
Ferbane AC: Mick Fogarty.