2014 Ballyhoura Limerick Race Series...May to July 2014

 In 2011, the Ballyhoura Active Series was established by Ballyhoura Failte with the aim of promoting physical activity and  tourism in the Ballyhoura Region, while, at the same time hoping that the events will be a positive social occasions for local communities. This is now the fourth year of the series and there are two on offer...one in Cork and one in Limerick.

This is the one in Limerick...

Map for the Ballyhoura Limerick Series...

As you can see from the map above, the events are located in the eastern half of Co.Limerick and are within easy reach of people in Limerick City and County as well as those in the surrounding counties.

All races in the series will have their courses measured accurately by Jones Counter and all have an Athletics Ireland licence. Post race refreshments will also be provided at all events.

Anyone completing any 5 races in either series will receive a special tech top.

For the duration of the race series, all of the information such as race flyers, directions, course previews will be available here as well of course, all of the results.


Details about the Ballyhoura Cork Road Race Series can be found on the Running in Cork site.

Limerick...Results of the Kilmeedy 5 mile road race - Fri 3rd Aug 2012

A record 128 runners turned out for this years Kilmeedy 5 mile road race in Co.Limerick. This was the 8th race in the ongoing Ballyhoura Active Series. The first man home was Mike Cunningham of Bilboa AC in a time of 27:35 while the first woman was Breeda Lynch in 31:56.

Race report from the organisers.....
Mike Curly Cunningham from Bilboa Athletic Club wound his way to victory in the annual Kilmeedy 5 mile held on August 3rd. His winning time of 27 minutes 35 seconds was just three ahead of clubmate Declan Moore. They set a ferocious pace at the race start, reaching the mile mark at Gilbournes gates in 4.55 along with Ennis Track runner Patrick Quinn. By  three miles at Belville, the Ennis runner had been dropped and turning by Kilmeedy church Cunningham had the narrowest of leads which he held to the line in front of the Glen Bar.

Our ladies title this year went to Breeda Lynch from Doneen in Limerick a clear winner in 31.56 over a minute ahead of Clare's Loretto Duggan with Orla Power in third. The junior womens race also went to Limerick as Saoirse Callaghan Herrity of Limerick Athletic Club won her section and Patrick Hayes took the boys title.

In the over forty section, Edward McDonnell of Mallow was victorious and Verena Tarpey, Doneen Athletic Club won her women's race. Kieran O'Connor from North Cork lifted the mens over fifty title and Berna Egan from Newcastle West won the womens section. John Brady an old friend of this writer took the over fifty five honours for North Cork. Carmel MacDomhnaill of the host club West Limerick won her section here. Now I must pay tribute to West Limerick Athletic Club. Kilmeedy is their fourth road race to organise in the last month in the area and they do trojan work to promote athletics. Once again their help is invaluable at the Kilmeedy race. We had one hundred and twenty eight runners this year, a new record with over forty walkers. Being involved with the Ballyhoura Series of Road Races had been of huge help this year. . We appreciate
also the assistance by Kilmeedy Community Development and their excellent facility in Arás Íde. 

Place    Time    Name    Team    Category
1    0:27:35    CUNNINGHAM, Mike Curly    Bilboa A C    Men O/45
2    0:27:38    MOORE, Declan    Bilboa A C    Junior Men
3    0:28:11    QUINN, Patrick    Ennis Track    Senior Men
4    0:28:44    O BRIEN, Vincent        Men O/35
5    0:30:43    O DONNELL, Richie       
6    0:30:49    LYNCH, Brendan        Men O/35
7    0:31:02    MC DONNELL, Edward    Mallow    Men O/40
8    0:31:12    BUCKLEY, Aidan    Mallow    Men O/35
9    0:31:15    GUBBINS, James    Kilfinnane    Men O/35
10    0:31:42    COLLINS, Shane    Bridge Milers    Men O/40
11    0:31:54    BUTLER, Graham        Senior Men

12    0:31:56    LYNCH, Breeda        Women O/35

13    0:32:03    MOLONEY, Nicholas    North Cork A C    Senior Men
14    0:32:10    HOURIGAN, Seamus    Kolfinnane A C    Men O/40
15    0:32:16    RICHARDSON, James        Senior Men
16    0:32:31    MULLINS, Mike    North Cork A C    Men O/45
17    0:32:41    O CONNOR, Kieran    North Cork A C    Men O/50
18    0:32:45    O CONNELL, Gerard        Senior Men
19    0:32:47    HAYES, Patrick        Junior Men
20    0:32:51    O BRIEN, Joe    Kolfinnane A C    Senior Men
21    0:33:01    BUCKLEY, Maurice    North Cork A C    Men O/45
22    0:33:03    O CONNOR, Michael        Junior Men
23    0:33:07    BUTLER, Liam    Tipp Town    Men O/50

24    0:33:12    DUGGAN, Lorretto        Women O/35

25    0:33:48    KENNEDY, Brian        Men O/35
26    0:34:11    CARROLL, Denis    Eagle A C    Men O/50
27    0:34:26    BAKER, Mick        Men O/40
28    0:34:29    BRADY, John    North Cork A C    Men O/55
29    0:34:38    WATSON, John        Senior Men
30    0:34:41    ENRIGHT, John    B M O H    Men O/35
31    0:34:45    SHANAHAN, Sean    Galtee Runners    Men O/40
32    0:34:47    STUTTE, Garry        Men O/55

33    0:34:48    POWER, Orla        Women O/35

34    0:34:49    ENRIGHT, John    B M O H    Men O/35
35    0:34:51    MULLINS, Aofaine    North Cork A C    Senior Women
36    0:34:54    DALY, Johnny    North Cork A C    Men O/40
37    0:34:55    CREMIN, Patrick        Senior Men
38    0:35:06    TARPEY, Verena        Women O/40
39    0:35:08    ENRIGHT, Donnacha        Senior Men
40    0:35:10    BROSNAN, Donnacha        Men O/50
41    0:35:13    COLLINS, John    B M O H    Senior Men
42    0:35:15    QUINLAN, Neil    Galtee Runners    Senior Men
43    0:35:16    O MEARA, Richard    Galtee Runners    Senior Men
44    0:35:18    CARROLL, Aoife    Mallow    Senior Women
45    0:35:26    DELANEY, John        Men O/45
46    0:35:41    DOODY, Breeda        Women O/40
47    0:35:50    QUILLIGAN, Kein    Mallow    Men O/40
48    0:35:56    LENIHAN, Richard    West Limerick A C    Men O/55
49    0:36:10    BUCKLEY, Mark    North Cork A C    Junior Men
50    0:36:31    MAC DOMHNAILL, Carmel    West Limerick A C    Women O/55
51    0:36:51    SCULLY, Bernard        Men O/40
52    0:37:00    BUCKLEY, Patrick    Mallow    Senior Men
53    0:37:03    LONG, Michael    North Cork A C    Men O/40
54    0:37:17    DAVERN, Denis    Galtee Runners    Men O/45
55    0:37:18    NELLIGAN, Frank        Men O/50
56    0:37:20    MAC CURTAIN, Coireall        Men O/60
57    0:37:22    MURRIHY, John       
58    0:37:24    MACKESSY, Mikey        Senior Men
59    0:37:25    O BRIEN, Barry    Kilfinnane A C    Senior Men
60    0:37:26    AHERNE, Paul    Kolfinnane A C    Men O/35
61    0:37:52    FENTON, Michael        Men O/35
62    0:38:43    BUCKLEY, Sinead    North Cork A C    Senior Women
63    0:38:45    MURPHY, Barry        Senior Men
64    0:38:54    FOLEY, Maureen        Women O/40
65    0:39:09    MULLINS, Darragh    North Cork A C    Junior Men
66    0:39:20    CALLAGHAN HERRITY, Saoirse    L A C    Junior Women
67    0:39:21    MASSEY, Daniel    West Limerick A C    Men O/50
68    0:39:30    O CONNELL, Vinny        Senior Men
69    0:39:31    O CONNOR, Kieran    North Cork A C    Men O/40
70    0:39:35    LIDDANE, Olive        Women O/35
71    0:39:39    WHELAN, Rita        Women O/35
72    0:39:47    FOLAN RYAN, Mary        Women O/35
73    0:39:49    O BRIEN, Gerry        Men O/35
74    0:40:11    SHEEHY, Niall        Men O/35
75    0:40:23    LENIHAN, Eimear    North Cork A C    Junior Women
76    0:40:49    O SULLIVAN, Catherine    Galtee Runners    Men O/35
77    0:40:52    MULLINS, Mark    North Cork A C    Men O/45
78    0:41:27    BROWNE, Caitriona        Women O/35
79    0:41:58    BARRETT, Sinead    Mooreabbey Milers    Senior Women
80    0:42:03    O KEEFFE, Seamus    Mallow    Men O/40
81    0:42:05    BULYCEVA, Agne        Senior Women
82    0:42:07    BUCKLEY, Linda    Kilmallock A C    Women O/55
83    0:42:08    CAREY, Aisling    Kilmallock A C    Senior Women
84    0:42:18    GALVIN, Kate        Women O/40
85    0:42:33    GALVIN, Grace    North Cork A C   
86    0:42:34    O CONNOR, Una    North Cork A C    Junior Women
87    0:42:47    MOORE, Ber    Kilmallock A C    Women O/35
88    0:43:00    SUGRUE, Mary    Mallow    Senior Women
89    0:43:21    O CONNOR, Timmy    Liscarroll A C    Junior Men
90    0:43:37    O CONNOR, Jack        Men O/45
91    0:43:54    RIORDAN, Jilie    North Cork A C    Women O/45
92    0:43:55    DOWLING, Grace    North Cork A C   
93    0:43:59    EGAN, Beera        Women O/50
94    0:44:09    CASEY, Mike    Galtee Runners    Men O/45
95    0:44:12    O REILLY, Eddie        Men O/35
96    0:44:14    O CONNELL, Ger    Liscarroll A C    Senior Men
97    0:44:45    O REILLY, Bernie        Men O/35
98    0:44:46    CONWAY, Mary        Women O/45
99    0:44:50    NORRIS, Elaine    Mallow    Women O/35
100    0:44:52    RYAN, Catriona    Mallow    Senior Women
101    0:44:59    CALLAGHAN, Orla        Women O/40
102    0:45:37    GALVIN, Fiona        Women O/40
103    0:45:45    MURPHY, Kevin        Senior Men
104    0:45:46    HENNESSEY, Paul        Men O/40
105    0:45:53    VILLIERS, John        Senior Men
106    0:45:59    O CONNELL, Gerard    Liscarroll A C    Men O/55
107    0:46:15    LENIHAN, Megan    North Cork A C   
108    0:46:17    BARRETT, John    West Limerick A C    Men O/60
109    0:46:59    BEHAN, Breda        Senior Women
110    0:47:04    POWER, Carol    North Cork A C    Senior Women
111    0:48:00    SAVAGE, Nicola    Kilmallock A C    Women O/35
112    0:48:01    MC CARTHY, Susan    Galtee Runners    Women O/40
113    0:48:38    DOWNES, Caroline        Women O/40
114    0:48:45    RIORDAN, Mags        Women O/35
115    0:48:51    DELANEY, Mary        Women O/45
116    0:48:57    IMRAY, Joan        Women O/40
117    0:49:20    KELLY, Catriona        Senior Women
118    0:49:30    BREEN, Noreen    Mallow    Senior Women
119    0:49:55    O SULLIVAN, Valerie    North Cork A C    Women O/35
120    0:51:21    HOGAN, Anne    Gneeveguilla A C    Senior Women
121    0:51:33    LYNCH, Killian        Men O/40
122    0:52:04    CUNNINGHAM, Breeda        Women O/35
123    0:52:06    ENRIGHT, Michael        Men O/45
124    0:52:45    CUNNINGHAM, Rosie    Galtee Runners    Senior Men
125    0:52:47    LOWNEY, Deirdre        Men O/40
126    0:53:30    HEALY, Emma       
127    0:54:38    WILLIS, Margaret    Mallow    Senior Women
128    0:55:48    O RIORDAN, Eamon        Men O/60

Limerick...Preview of the Kilteely Festival 5 mile road race - Fri 20th July 2012

The Kilteely 5 mile road race is coming up on Friday, the 20th of July. It starts at 8pm and is the 7th race in the Ballyhoura Active Series.

This is still a relatively new race having been in existence for just 2-3 years. The location of the race is an acknowledgement to the former Dromkeen Sports which used to be held nearby. In it's heyday some 50 years ago, it was one of the biggest sports athletics fixtures in Munster.

Location..........The race does not take place in the village of Kilteely itself but a few kms away in the north west of the parish. For anyone living in Limerick City, it is only a 25 minute drive so it is very easy to get to. The race is just a few kms to the south-west of Dromkeen on the N24 Limerick to Tipperary road...

If you are coming from the Limerick City side into Dromkeen then turn right after the Maxol garage. Then just keep on this road. At the first junction, you will be joining the race route. Keep going......past Dromkeen Church.......and at the T-junction, turn right and the race headquarters is just there.

From North Cork/South Limerick, travel via Hospital/Herbertstown. From Herbertstown travel 3 miles to the third cross road and turn left and staying with this road will bring you to the registration point approx 2.5 miles.

Route will be signposted from both Dromkeen and Herbertstown.

Details to be confirmed....Race starts at 8pm........Entry fee €10........Prizes for the top 3 men and women.......Prizes for 1st in each of the usual categories......Athletics Ireland Licence.....Organised in association with Bilboa AC.......Accurate and certified 5 mile course measured by Jones Counter.......Spot Prizes.......Tea & Refreshments afterwards.

Race HQ is at An Teach Community Centre, Cloverfield. (Signposted from Dromkeen and Herbertstown)

There is also a 5 mile walk (entry €5) which starts at 7:30pm. There are separate spot prizes for walkers.

Course...The course is basically on narrow quiet country roads over a large 5 mile loop. There are a number of hills along the route so there is plenty of uphill and downhill running.

The start is just a few hundred metres up the road from the registration point. You run back towards the school, over the small bridge and then left at the junction. The first main hill comes around 0.8 miles. Nothing too serious but enough to slow the pace.

You pass Dromkeen Parish Church at ~1.3 miles, staying left on all road junctions. Around the 1.8 mile mark, you pass an old ruined church...

This picture shows the typical type of roads and hills out along the route. Nothing too serious but plenty of small little drags.

But of course, it's not all uphill! There are plenty of downhill stretches like this straight section starting at the 2 mile mark.

Shown above....The road junction at 2.8 miles.

The hardest section of the course is the 4th mile. Starting at the 3 mile mark, the road begins to climb...

After a long climb, the road flattens out and drops again. This will no doubt probably be the slowest mile of the whole race.

The start of the 5th mile is on  a tough hill. It lasts for approx 400m until you turn the corner at a sharp bend. After that, it's mostly flat or downhill all the ways to the finish near the school....tough start, fast finish.

Overall....Possibly not the fastest of 5 mile courses but with it's proximity to Limerick City and the quiet country roads, it should attract a reasonable turnout.

Limerick...Results of the Dromcollogher 4 mile road race - Mon 9th July 2012

A total of 207 runners turned out this year for the Dromcollogher 4 mile road race in South County Limerick. Back in 2009, this race had just 52 entries.  Since becoming part of the Ballyhoura Active Series of races, it has grown rapidly to the point that the numbers now are almost four times what they were just three years ago.

The mens race was won by Michael Shannon of Kilnaboy AC in a time of 20:15. The womens race was won by Loretto Duggan of St.Mary's AC in Co.Clare.

(Note....the times below are almost certainly wrong. The times given are faster than what most people recorded themselves!)

Dromcollogher Festival 4 Mile / Race No.5 of the Ballyhoura Active Series / Mon 9 July 2012
Results for All Competitors in finish order.   
Place    Time    Name     Race Age Category
1    0:20:15    SHANNON, Michael    Senior Men
2    0:21:10    MURPHY, Ed    Senior Men
3    0:21:10    LINEHAN, Adrian    Senior Men
4    0:21:48    O CONNOR, Tim    Senior Men
5    0:21:52    EGAN, Ian    Men 45
6    0:21:53    O' CONNOR, Rory    Senior Men
7    0:22:13    CUNNINGHAM, Mike (Curly)    Men 45
8    0:22:13    MULLANEY, Shane    Senior Men
9    0:22:26    O' BRIEN, Vinnie    Senior Men
10    0:22:38    GROGAN, Fergal    Senior Men
11    0:22:38    O' SULLIVAN, Johnny    Men O40
12    0:22:39    DALY, Tom    Senior Men
13    0:23:07    CAHILL, Dave    Men O40
14    0:23:26    LYONS, Dave    Senior Men
15    0:23:26    CONNERY, Con    Senior Men
16    0:23:32    RAHILLY, Patrick    Senior Men
17    0:23:51    DALY, Noel    Senior Men
18    0:23:52    O' CONNOR, Declan    Senior Men
19    0:23:56    BUCKLEY, Aidan    Senior Men
20    0:24:03    CLANCY, Mick    Senior Men
21    0:24:13    HAYES, Seamus    Senior Men
22    0:24:13    SHEEHAN, Denis    Men 45
23    0:24:13    CARROLLL, Denis   
24    0:24:30    GORMAN, Colie    Senior Men
25    0:24:41    PINOL, Mark    Junior Men
26    0:24:44    O BRIEN, Joe    Senior Men
27    0:25:44    BUCKLEY, Maurice    Men 45
28    0:25:51    HAYES, Patrick    Junior Men
29    0:25:56    BYRNE, Eamon    Men O40
30    0:25:59    O' BRIEN, Con    Men O60
31    0:26:01    HANLEY, Shane    Senior Men
32    0:26:02    MAC, Sean    Senior Men
33    0:26:14    O' DWYER, Willi    Senior Men
34    0:26:14    O' CONNOR, Kieran    Men O50
35    0:26:21    BAKER, Nick    Men O40
36    0:26:26    O KELLY, John    Senior Men
37    0:26:32    O' SULLIVAN, Dermot    Men O40
38    0:26:32    DUGGAN, Loretto    Senior Women
39    0:26:38    CRONIN, Denis    Men 45
40    0:26:38    KEANE, Tim    Junior Men
41    0:26:41    RICHARDSON, James    Senior Men
42    0:26:41    ROCHE, Brian    Men O40
43    0:26:47    CAWLEY, Seamus    Men O50
44    0:26:57    SHANAHAN, Sean    Men 45
45    0:27:08    QUILLE, Shane    Senior Men
46    0:27:08    TIM JOE, Buckley    Men O60
47    0:27:13    DALY, Cathal    Senior Men
48    0:27:18    COSTELLO, Michael    Senior Men
49    0:27:26    MULLINS, Aofaine    Junior Women
50    0:27:27    HOLLAND, John    Men O60
51    0:27:29    COLLINS, Mike    Men O40
52    0:27:32    O' CONNOR, Elayne    Senior Women
53    0:27:34    CARROLL, Aoife    Senior Women
54    0:27:37    GUINEY, Dan    Men O50
55    0:27:39    DONIE, Donie    Men O55
56    0:27:41    O CONNOR, Irene    Senior Women
57    0:27:56    LOUGHLIN, Bernard    Senior Men
58    0:27:56    DOODY, Brenda    Women O40
59    0:27:58    BUCKLEY, Patrick    Senior Men
60    0:28:01    BIGGANE, Rory    Senior Men
61    0:28:02    AHERNE, Paul    Senior Men
62    0:28:06    QUILLIGAN, Kevin    Men O50
63    0:28:08    LENIHAN, Richard    Men O60
64    0:28:08    GUINA, Declan    Senior Men
65    0:28:17    MC CARTHY, Deirdre    Women O40
66    0:28:19    VILLIERS, Rory    Senior Men
67    0:28:19    COLLINA, Nuala    Senior Women
68    0:28:22    ENRIGHT, Christy    Senior Men
69    0:28:23    HALPIN, Michael    Senior Men
70    0:28:24    DAVERN, Denis    Men 45
71    0:28:30    FITZPATRICK, Conor    Junior Men
72    0:28:43    O CONNOR, Kevin    Men O40
73    0:28:43    MAC DOMHAILL, Carmel    Men O50
74    0:28:47    MURPHY, Barry    Senior Men
75    0:28:57    MACKESSY, Mikey    Senior Men
76    0:28:57    O' CONNELL, Vinny    Senior Men
77    0:28:57    MC CUTAIN, Coireal    Women O60
78    0:29:06    LONG, Michael    Men O40
79    0:29:11    O' DONOVAN, Tony    Men O40
80    0:29:18    MC CARTHY, Malachy    Men O55
81    0:29:20    HAYES, Justin    Senior Men
82    0:29:27    O SULLIVAN, John Joe    Senior Men
83    0:29:41    O DONOGHUE, Donal    Men 45
84    0:29:43    RELIHAN, Denis    Senior Men
85    0:29:44    O CONNELL, Timmy    Junior Men
86    0:29:45    SHINE, Joey    Senior Men
87    0:29:49    CREMIN, Mary    Senior Women
88    0:29:49    CASEY, John    Men O50
89    0:29:55    FENTON, Michael    Men O40
90    0:29:55    GALVIN, Conor    Junior Men
91    0:29:55    BUCKLEY, Debbie    Women O40
92    0:30:01    O NEILL, Jack    Junior Men
93    0:30:01    RYAN, Joan    Senior Women
94    0:30:06    BUCKLEY, Noreen    Senior Women
95    0:30:11    COSTELLO, Willie    Men O55
96    0:30:20    BUCKLEY, Sinead    Senior Women
97    0:30:30    KIRWAN, Ger    Men O40
98    0:30:39    TRANT, Ide    Senior Women
99    0:30:41    MULLINS, Maria    Women O45
100    0:30:41    QUIRKE, Patrick    Men O50
101    0:30:49    O' BRIEN, Gerry    Senior Men
102    0:30:54    HOGAN, Katherine    Women O45
103    0:30:59    GUINEY, Liam    Men O40
104    0:31:04    MOLYNEAUX, James    Junior Men
105    0:31:06    FOLAN RYAN, Mary    Senior Women
106    0:31:06    DINEEN, ML    Men O50
107    0:31:07    SHEEHY, Niall    Senior Men
108    0:31:07    CONDON, Brian    Senior Men
109    0:31:08    MASSEY, Daniel    Men O50
110    0:31:16    SHEEHY, Ian    Senior Men
111    0:31:23    O SULLIVAN, Thomas    Senior Men
112    0:31:27    CURTIN, Conor    Senior Men
113    0:31:30    AHERN, Brian    Junior Men
114    0:31:37    BURKE, Damien    Junior Men
115    0:31:39    MOLONEY, Robert    Senior Men
116    0:31:41    BROUDER, Keith    Senior Men
117    0:31:44    BATRRETT, John    Men O60
118    0:32:04    GALVIN, Kate    Women O40
119    0:32:10    HOLLAND, Emer    Senior Women
120    0:32:10    CAREY, Aisling    Senior Women
121    0:32:10    MOORE, Ber    Senior Men
122    0:32:10    O CONNOR, Una    Junior Women
123    0:32:11    GALVIN, Grace    Junior Women
124    0:32:23    RYAN, Paula    Senior Women
125    0:32:31    EGAN, Bernie    Women O50
126    0:32:42    MURPHY, Sinead    Senior Women
127    0:32:49    MC CARTHY, Barry    Men 45
128    0:32:53    FEEHAN, Ted    Men O65
129    0:33:01    DOWLING, Grace    Senior Women
130    0:33:07    BROWNE, Catriona    Senior Women
131    0:33:09    RIORDAN, Julie    Women O45
132    0:33:19    LYNCH, Catherine    Women O45
133    0:33:23    SEXTON, John    Men 45
134    0:33:24    COSTELLO, James    Junior Men
135    0:33:27    RUANE, Colin    Senior Men
136    0:33:31    FARRISSEY, Mary Ellen    Senior Women
137    0:33:33    RYAN, Catriona    Senior Women
138    0:33:33    IMRAY, Joan    Women O40
139    0:33:34    O CONNOR, Linda    Senior Women
140    0:33:43    HAYES, Gerard    Senior Men
141    0:33:46    O CALLAGHAN, Helen    Senior Women
142    0:34:17    GALVIN, Fiona    Women O40
143    0:34:17    GUINEY, Clare    Senior Women
144    0:34:21    POWER, Carol    Senior Women
145    0:34:39    O' GORMAN, Annette    Senior Women
146    0:34:48    RYAN, Michael    Junior Men
147    0:35:01    BENNIS, Billy    Men O40
148    0:35:03    BARRY, Noreen    Senior Women
149    0:35:14    GAMMELL, Catherine    Senior Women
150    0:35:15    O CONNELL, Ger    Men O50
151    0:35:27    HAYES, Tina    Senior Women
152    0:35:40    MC CARTHY, Pamela    Senior Women
153    0:36:07    BEHAN, Breda    Senior Women
154    0:36:10    WOODS, Sharon    Senior Women
155    0:36:19    NORRIS, Elaine    Senior Women
156    0:36:42    ROBERTS, Fiona    Women O45
157    0:36:43    FINNAN, Anne    Women O45
158    0:36:51    MC CARTHY, Ted    Men O70
159    0:37:10    MC CARTHY, Susan    Women O40
160    0:37:11    O NEILL, Andy    Men 45
161    0:37:15    WOULFE, Cliona    Senior Women
162    0:37:26    VAUGHAN, Marita    Senior Women
163    0:37:34    SAVAGE, Nicola    Senior Women
164    0:37:34    SHIRE, Carmel    Senior Women
165    0:37:56    DOWNES, Caroline    Women O40
166    0:38:01    COTTER, Betty    Senior Women
167    0:38:03    MOLONEY, Martin    Men O40
168    0:38:12    CONNERY, Marie    Senior Women
169    0:38:22    KELLY, Catriona    Senior Women
170    0:38:23    BARRETT, Marie    Senior Women
171    0:38:41    O SULLIVAN, Joanne    Senior Women
172    0:39:09    MOLYNEAUX, Donal    Junior Men
173    0:39:22    CUNNINGHAM, Rosie    Senior Women
174    0:39:28    AHERN, Martina    Senior Women
175    0:39:42    COUGHLAN, Josie    Women O45
176    0:40:01    LYNCH, Lillian    Women O40
177    0:40:04    HAYES, Mary    Senior Women
178    0:40:23    BROWNE, Siobhan    Women O45
179    0:40:30    PADDLE, Norman    Men O50
180    0:40:31    BREEN, Noreen    Senior Women
181    0:40:51    SWEENEY, Rita    Women O40
182    0:40:53    O' SULLIVAN, Valerie    Senior Women
183    0:40:55    MOOE, Helen    Women O45
184    0:40:57    O' SULLIVAN, Claire    Senior Women
185    0:41:34    SHEEHAN, Shirley    Senior Women
186    0:41:36    O RIORDAN, Emma    Senior Women
187    0:41:38    BYRNES, Maggie    Senior Women
188    0:41:40    O' DONNELL, Rosaleen    Senior Women
189    0:42:05    O' CONNELL, Janice    Senior Women
190    0:42:16    MADDEN, Collette    Senior Women
191    0:42:26    TIERNEY, Elaine    Women O40
192    0:42:28    COLLINS, Karen    Senior Women
193    0:42:29    O CONNOR, Nuala    Women O40
194    0:42:45    HAYES, Niamh    Women O40
195    0:43:44    O' GORMAN, Michelle    Senior Women
196    0:43:45    MURPHY, Maria    Women O45
197    0:43:45    MC CARTHY, Melanie    Senior Women
198    0:43:46    STACK, Trish    Senior Women
199    0:43:48    LEE BARRON, Mairead    Women O40
200    0:43:49    PRENDIVILLE, Linda    Senior Women
201    0:43:50    HORGAN, Amie    Senior Women
202    0:43:51    SHANAHAN, Ailisha    Junior Women
203    0:44:36    BROSNAN, Tomas    Junior Men
204    0:45:06    HAYES, Josephine    Senior Women
205    0:45:07    CUNNINGHAM, Brenda    Senior Women
206    0:45:21    WILLIS, Margaret    Senior Women
207    0:45:44    O CONNOR, Eamon    Men 45
There were 207 finishers in the All Competitors category

Race notice...Kilfinane 5 mile road race - Fri 29th June 2012

The 4th race of 11 in the current Ballyhoura Active Series is coming up next Friday evening, the 29th of June with the Kilfinane 5 mile road race which starts at 7:30pm

Located in the south-east of county Limerick, it is within easy access and is just 15 kms or so east of Charleville and the N20 Cork-Limerick road. If you are coming from Limerick City then turning off the N20 north of Charleville and going via Kilmallock is probably the best option. If you are coming from Cork then turn off at Ballyhea and go via Ardpatrick.

If you are coming from the west side of Kilfinane (R517) then you should pass the finish line outside the Centra shop.......

....and then take the next right and the hall is up the road on the left.

Entries.........the entry fee is €10.The race starts at 7:30pm with registration opening at 6.30pm at the Maple Ballroom across from the soccer pitch at Barrack Street, Kilfinane.

From the organisers..."This Friday 29th we host the fourth race of this years Ballyhoura series. The race last year was a huge success with 150 runners taking part. This year we hope that even more will participate. At 10 euro entry it is one of the cheaper races around and the distance is achievable for even the most novice of runners. Registration from 6.30 at the Maple Ballroom for an 7.30 start and prize giving and refreshments back at the Maple Ballroom afterwards."

Course........Basically, the route goes out in a south-easterly direction on a road heading towards Mitchelstown and  it is slightly uphill. You then return on a minor road going gradually downhill.
The race starts near the centre of the town and the hall where you register.

The photo above near the 1 mile mark is typical of this part of the route. There is a forest and hill on the right hand side of the road. The road twists and turns as it makes it's way gradually uphill. On the left, there is a view of the valley below and you can see the other parallel road where you head back towards Kilfinane.

This is the road junction around the 2.4 mile mark where you turn onto the minor road and head downhill again. This is a lovely quiet country road and there should be little if any traffic. As the slope is gradually downhill, the next 1.5 miles should be very fast.

Around the 4 mile mark, there is a slight climb again before you continue the gradual decent into Kilfinane....

Straight through the crossroads with the grotto to the next T-junction, turn left and then the final sting in the tail...

...the last climb to the finish line outside the local Centra shop.

Overall.....Considering that the hills are gradual and there is plenty of fast downhill running as well, you might expect to post a reasonably fast time over this 5 mile course. The trick is to keep things nice and steady for the first 2.4 miles and keep something in reserve for the second half.

Race notice...Pallasgreen 5 mile road race - Sat 23rd June 2012

The Eddie Murphy memorial 5 mile road race is coming up on Saturday, the 23rd of June at 7pm. The race will be held in Knockane which is in the middle of the countryside, several kms to the south of Pallasgreen and straddles the Limerick / Tipperary border.

This is the 3rd race of 11 in the ongoing Ballyhoura ACTIVE race series.

Directions.......Knockane is about 8 kms south of Pallasgreen and 25 kms to the south-east of Limerick City.

Coming from Limerick.......Take the N24 road to Tipperary. At Pallasgreen, take the right at O’Dwyers Pub (~100m after Topaz garage) and proceed to the village of Old Pallas. Drive straight through Old Pallas village and continue to a Y road junction....

 Take left exit and proceed 5km to Sarsfield’s Creamery T Junction...

Take the right here and soon, you will come to the crossroads at Knockane...

Turn left and the Idler pub is just about 50 metres down the road...

There is plenty of parking there and entries for the race will be taken in the pub.

Coming from Charleville / the south......Take the R515 Charleville to Tipperary road and proceed through Kilmallock, Elton, Knocklong and on to Emly. At the far side of Emly, take the left at the grocery shop (signposted for Old Pallas)...

The crossroads at Knockane is only a few kms up this road.

Coming from Mitchelstown...Take the R513 for Limerick. Turn off right at Knocklong and follow the instructions above.

Entries.....You can pre-enter for €10 HERE or for €13 on the day.

Entries open at 5:30pm on the night. A family fun walk will commence at 6.10 pm with the run starting at 7.00 pm. Refreshments after the event.  A.A.I. Licence pending and Jones Counter Measured Certificate 02124.

The course......The start line is about 300 metres west of the crossroads...

The race is completely on quiet country roads. There are a lot of straight and flat sections out along the course. Any hills are pretty minor and it could be considered a fast 5 mile course.

Race notice...Bilboa 10k road race - Fri 15th June 2012

The Ger Mullane Memorial 10km road race is coming up in the village of Bilboa in East Limerick on Friday, the 15th of June at 8pm. This is the 2nd race of 11 in the Ballyhoura ACTIVE Race Series.

Directions.......The easiest way to get there is to drive as far as Pallasgreen on the N24 Limerick to Tipperary road and turn off......(signposted for Cappamore and Doon at the Red Deer pub). The race organisers should have signs here as well.

Just keep going straight. Eventually you come to a crossroads on another main road (R505)....

Cappamore is to the left and Doon is to the right. You drive straight on.

Eventually, you come to the Bilboa AC grounds...(note the finish line mark!)

Race details.....The entry fee for the race is €10. There are prizes for the top 3 men and women with prizes for the top two in each age category. The total prize fund is roughly €800. Post race, there are showers with refreshments provided afterwards before the prize giving.

The contact name and number for the race is John Berkery (086 206 4145) if you have any other queries.

Course......The race course can essentially be broken up into two halves with the first section being flat and the second section having hills.

 The start line is about 200 metres away from the sports grounds. The first 3.5 miles or so are very flat and should be very fast. There are a number of drags in the section between roughly 3.5 miles to roughly the 5.4 mile mark which is the highest point on the course. After that, it's downhill to the finish.

Bridge over Bilboa River with nice quiet country roads...

Crossroads near the 4 mile mark...

Overall........a reasonably fast course on nice quiet country roads. With it's ease of access and proximity to Limerick City, it should attract a good crowd.

Ballyhoura ACTIVE Summer Series...June-Sept 2012

Launch of Ballyhoura Active Summer Series...L-R: Fergal Somers, Manager Ballyhoura Fáilte, Michael O’Herlihy, North Cork AC, Gemma Crowley, Cork Sports Partnership, Sonia O’Sullivan, Special Guest, Michael Crowley, Cork LSP, Sinead O’Riordan, Ballyhoura Failte.

Former Irish Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan was on hand recently to launch the 2012 Ballyhoura ACTIVE Summer Series. The series which is supported by the Cork Sports Partnership has been a huge success in previous years and this year it promises to be bigger then ever.  The aim of the series is to promote physical activity and  tourism in the Ballyhoura Region, while, at the same time,
hoping that the events will be a positive social occasions for local communities.

This year there will be 11 events running from June to  September, in towns across North Cork and East Limerick. Entry fees for the individual events will vary between €5 and €12. Participants who complete 7 of the 11 events will receive  a high quality technical t-shirt as an incentive to participate in as many of the events as possible. Tea, sandwiches and  refreshments will be provided after each event, followed by the presentation of the prizes.

Provisional List of Events are as follows:
1) Friday 1st June 8pm  – Doneraile Park (Dan Byrne Memorial 5km Trail Race – Mallow AC)
2) Friday 15th June 8pm  – Bilboa (Ger Mullane Memorial 10k – Bilboa AC)
3) Sat 23rd June 7pm  – Pallasgreen (Eddie Murphy Memorial 5 mile)
4) Friday 29th June 7:30pm  – Kilfinane (Festival 5mile Road Race – Kilfinane AC)
5) Monday 9th July 8pm  – Dromcollogher (Festival 4mile Road Race – West Limerick AC)
6) Friday 13th July 8pm  – Kilworth (Army Camp 5mile Road Race – Grange Fermoy AC)
7) Friday 20th July 8pm  – Kilteely (Festival 5mile Road Race – Kilteely AC)
8) Friday 3rd August 8pm  – Kilmeedy (5mile Road Race – West Limerick AC)
9) Friday 10th August 7:30pm  – Mitchelstown (GR8KM Road Race Mitchelstown – Galtee Runners AC)
10) Friday 31st Aug 7pm  – Liscarroll (Tom Fitzpatrick Memorial 10km Road Race – Liscarroll AC)
11) Sunday 23rd Sept 10am  – Charleville (International Half-Marathon – North Cork AC)

Limerick...Preview of the Kilfinane 5 mile race - Fri 26th Aug 2011

The Kilfinane 5 mile road race is the 7th race in the Ballyhoura Active Series. Located in the south-east of county Limerick, it is within easy access and is just 15 kms or so east of Charleville and the N20 Cork-Limerick road. If you are coming from Limerick City then turning off the N20 north of Charleville and going via Kilmallock is probably the best option. If you are coming from Cork then turn off at Ballyhea and go via Ardpatrick.

If you are coming from the west side of Kilfinane then you should pass the finish line outside the Centra shop.......

....and then take the next right and the hall is up the road on the left.
Entries.........the entry fee is €10.The race starts at 7pm with registration opening at 5.30pm at the Maple Ballroom across from the soccer pitch at Barrack Street, Kilfinane.
From the organisers..."The course has received a Licence from Athletics Ireland and has been officially measured using the Jones Counter method. Race entry is €10 for runners and €5 for walkers. There will be freshments served after the race in the Maple Ballroom with the prize giving taking place on a stage in the centre of the town from 8.30pm. The prizes include the overall top 3 male and female finishers and also the first male for the over 40, 50, 60 age category and the first female over 35, 45, 55 age categories."

Course........Basically, the route goes out in a south-easterly direction on a road heading towards Mitchelstown and  it is slightly uphill. You then return on a minor road going gradually downhill.
The race starts near the centre of the town and the hall where you register.

The photo above near the 1 mile mark is typical of this part of the route. There is a forest and hill on the right hand side of the road. The road twists and turns as it makes it's way gradually uphill. On the left, there is a view of the valley below and you can see the other parallel road where you head back towards Kilfinane.

This is the road junction around the 2.4 mile mark where you turn onto the minor road and head downhill again. This is a lovely quiet country road and there should be little if any traffic. As the slope is gradually downhill, the next 1.5 miles should be very fast.

Around the 4 mile mark, there is a slight climb again before you continue the gradual decent into Kilfinane....

Straight through the crossroads with the grotto to the next T-junction, turn left and then the final sting in the tail...

...the last climb to the finish line outside the local Centra shop.
Overall.....Considering that the hills are gradual and there is plenty of fast downhill running as well, you might expect to post a reasonably fast time over this 5 mile course. The trick is to keep things nice and steady for the first 2.4 miles and keep something in reserve for the second half.

Limerick...Kilfinane 5 mile race - Fri 26th Aug 2011

The 7th race in the Ballyhoura Active Series is coming up in the village of Kilfinane on Friday, the 26th of August at 7pm.

Located in the south-east  of county Limerick, it is within easy reach of runners in South Tipperary and North Cork as well.

More details with a course preview closer to the date...

Limerick - Preview of the Kilteely 5 mile race - Sat 13th Aug 2011

The Kilteely 5 mile road race is coming up on Saturday, the 13th of August. It starts at 7 pm and is the 6th race in the Ballyhoura Active Series.
The race does not take place in the village of Kilteely itself but a few kms away in the north west of the parish. For anyone living in Limerick City, it is only a 25 minute drive so it is very easy to get to. The race is just a few kms to the south-west of Dromkeen on the N24 Limerick to Tipperary road...

If you are coming from the Limerick City side into Dromkeen then turn right after the Maxol garage. Then just keep on this road. At the first junction, you will be joining the race route. Keep going......past Dromkeen Church.......and at the T-junction, turn right and the race headquarters is just there.

Details....Race starts at 7pm........Entry fee €10........Prizes for the top 3 men and women.......Prizes for 1st in each of the usual categories......Athletics Ireland Licence.....Organised in association with Bilboa AC.......Accurate and certified 5 mile course measured by Jones Counter.......Spot Prizes.......Tea & Refreshments afterwards.

Race HQ is at An Teach Community Centre, Cloverfield. (Signposted from Dromkeen)

There is also a 5 mile walk (entry €5) which starts at 6:30pm. There are separate spot prizes for walkers.

Course...RThe course is basically on narrow quiet country roads over a large 5 mile loop. There are a number of hills along the route so there is plenty of uphill and downhill running.

The start is just a few hundred metres up the road from the registration point. You run back towards the school, over the small bridge and then left at the junction. The first main hill comes around 0.8 miles. Nothing too serious but enough to slow the pace.

You pass Dromkeen Parish Church at ~1.3 miles, staying left on all road junctions. Around the 1.8 mile mark, you pass an old ruined church...

This picture shows the typical type of roads and hills out along the route. Nothing too serious but plenty of small little drags.

But of course, it's not all uphill! There are plenty of downhill stretches like this straight section starting at the 2 mile mark.

Shown above....The road junction at 2.8 miles.

The hardest section of the course is the 4th mile. Starting at the 3 mile mark, the road begins to climb...

After a long climb, the road flattens out and drops again. This will no doubt probably be the slowest mile of the whole race.

The start of the 5th mile is on  a tough hill. It lasts for approx 400m until you turn the corner at a sharp bend. After that, it's mostly flat or downhill all the ways to the finish near the school....tough start, fast finish.

Overall....Possibly not the fastest of 5 mile courses but with it's proximity to Limerick City and the quiet country roads, it should attract a reasonable turnout.