Twohig relishes uphill battle to take final event of the Beara series

BARRY Twohig’s strength on the hills proved decisive on the undulating roads around Eyeries as he claimed victory in the final event in the four-race Beara Autumn 5-Mile Series.

The St Finbarr’s man crossed the finish line in the picturesque village in a time of 27:17, over 100 metres clear of Tommy Arthur from Kenmare who recorded 27:43. Another Barrs man, John Longan, took third in 28:20.

“I found it very hard to get away from Tommy on the downhills but my strength is on the hills,” said the Blarney-man, a former top-class cyclist who, at 44, was giving away 26 years to his younger rival.

“I was away from him on two occasions but he came back to me both times. Two miles out, I threw in a hard dig and then got away. It was a really hard race, it’s my first time doing it but I enjoyed it and I might give all the races a go next year.” 

A local win in the women’s event saw Rachael O’Shea, in her first appearance in the race for five years, come home a clear winner in a time of 32:56. Michelagh Murphy from the Beara club was second in 34:50 with Sorcha Kearney (St Finbarr’s) taking third spot in 34:52.

“The first 5km of the race is fine, between kilometre six and seven it is very tough,” admitted the winner. ‘This is my fastest time this year for five miles and also my fastest over this course, so I’m delighted.” 

The real drama in the final race came in deciding the overall winner of the series. With Donal Coakley – who had won the first three events - out injured, going into the Eyeries race Patrick McCarthy from Baltimore had 19 seconds to spare over Bobby Tangney from Kenmare.

However, Tangney’s fifth position on the day in a time of 30:29, one place ahead of McCarthy in 30:49, decided the outcome.

Siobhan Holland from Eagle had an easier overall victory, her fifth position on the day added to her third in Glengarriff, first in Allihies and second in Bere Island was enough to take the title.

With a huge prize list, including category and team awards, the race was another outstanding success. The main organiser of the series, Mark Gallagher of the promoting Beara club, was understandably delighted with the turnout.

“We were very pleased with how it all worked out, we seem to be attracting a good standard of club runners now and of course there was a very exciting close overall finish.” 

Results

Men: 1 B Twohig (St Finbarrs, M40) 27:17; 2 T Arthur (Kenmare, MJ) 27:43; 3 J Longan (St Finbarrs) 28:20; 4 P Keville (unatt) 29:37; 5 B Tangney (Kenmare, M40) 30:29; 6 P McCarthy (unatt, M50) 30:49.

Women: 1 R O’Shea (Cork TC) 32:56; 2 M Murphy (Beara) 34:50; 3 S Kearney (St Finbarrs, F45) 34:52; 4 J Van Deventer (Kenmare) 34:58; 5 S Holland (Eagle, F45) 35:26; 6 K O’Sullivan (Beara, F35) 35:55.