CONNAUGHT REPORT by Douglas Barry
John Lenihan (Riocht) won Saturday's All Ireland Championship
on Croagh Patrick. The former World Champion beat Northern
Ireland international Neil Carty by just under 2 minutes, missing
his own record by only 25 seconds. Paul Nolan (Crusaders) who
suffered badly on the climb up the Reek descended brilliantly
from the summit chapel to catch and pass Northern Ireland's Deane
Fisher for third.
The Kerryman was pleased with the win on the tough rocky course
but was disappointed not to have nudged closer to the phenomenal
record of 43 minutes 23 seconds he set last year for the 7.7 kilometre
course. "It's early enough in the season and I hope to be
on top form in August when the selection race for the Worlds is
held" the former World Champion commented.
Liscarney runner Majella Diskin easily won the women's
race taking the All Ireland title for the second year in a row.
The Mayo athlete was also a half minute outside her record of
59 minutes 44 seconds. Julie Hilliard (Sportsworld) and Mike McAuliffe
(Riocht) took the veteran's titles, while an astonishing run by Dublin
junior Mark Doyle saw him slice 2 minutes off junior international
Kieran Lynch's record.
The race was also the annual Inter Provincial Championship which rotates thorough the four provinces of Ireland. The first three runners from each province score and as usual it proved a close run thing. Neil Carty and his team proved best on the day grabbing the Championship by just 2 points from the Munster team spearheaded by John Lenihan.
Croagh Patrick was also the first race in the two race Connaught Mountain Running Championship held over two days with the second round on Nephin near Crossmolina. The indomitable Lenihan followed up on Sunday with a stunning run on the formidable 2,646 foot mountain, lowering the record to 41 minutes 8 seconds and clinching this championship as well. However, due to blistering, neither Carty or Nolan could start and the minor placings went to Donegal's Leo Murray and Mike McAuliffe after a see saw battle on the heathery slopes.