Cork athletics: Gavin Sweeney and Michelle Finn take the honours in Buttevant
Gavin Sweeney, winner of the Buttevant four-mile race, receiving his prize from James Breen, Chairman of Buttevant RC. Picture: John Walshe
TOGHER athlete Gavin Sweeney, second the previous week over the same four-mile distance at Galbally, went one better at the sixth annual Buttevant race organised by the local club.
Out on his own from the start, Sweeney ended up with a clear winning margin over Danny Mullins from Bantry when crossing the line with the clock showing 20:32.
Mullins recorded 21:04 with West Limerick visitor Karl Lenihan taking third, just four seconds in arrears.
Colin Merritt showed that his comeback is going well with a fine fourth in 21:27 and first in the M50 category, one place ahead of another M50, Liam O’Connor of Grange-Fermoy, who clocked 22:05.
With five-time winner Carol Finn absent, her Leevale colleague Michelle Kenny continued on her consistent form which has seen her rarely out of the top three with another victory.
Her time of 24:13 gave her a comfortable cushion over Fiona McCarthy, also Leevale, who finished in 26:37.
Ellen Hanley of Grange-Fermoy was third in 27:34 as Edel Buckley (Bweeng Trail Blazers) finished fourth in 28:04.
With over 270 competitors, the race was once again an outstanding success and excellent value for money with each finisher receiving a goody bag containing, amongst other gifts, an insulated travel mug.
Buttevant was also the fourth and final race in the inaugural Rebel Diamond League.
This was made up of four North Cork events, consisting of the Banteer five-mile, Dromohane 5km, Bweeng 5km and Buttevant four-mile.
Overall winners of the league were Liam O’Connor (Grange-Fermoy) and Fiona McCarthy (Leevale) with those completing all four races receiving a commemorative mug.
1 G Sweeney (Togher, M40) 20:32; 2 D Mullins (Bantry) 21:04; 3 K Lenihan (West Limerick, M40) 21:08; 4 C Merritt (unatt, M50) 21:27; 5 L O’Connor (Grange-Fermoy, M50) 22:05; 6 C McCrory (Bweeng TB, M40) 22:21.
4 T O’Connor (Riocht) 22:28.
3 D Holian (Mooreabbey) 24:16.
1 K Griffin (Riocht) 26:05; 2 P Hayes (unatt) 26:52; 3 T McMahon (Kilmallock) 27:52.
1 J Holland (Mallow) 32:31; 2 P Gyves (Mallow) 36:38; 3 J Walshe (RRC) 36:41.
1 M Dunlea (unatt) 26:49; 2 B Fitzgerald (unatt) 27:27; 3 D Collins (North Cork) 30:01.
1 M Kenny (Leevale, F40) 24:13; 2 F McCarthy (Leevale, F40) 26:37; 3 E Hanley (Grange-Fermoy, F40) 27:34; 4 E Buckley (Bweeng TB) 28:04; 5 G Hartnett (Grange-Fermoy, F40) 28:11; 6 M Lilina-Seymour (Grange-Fermoy, F40) 29:09.
1 L Kirby (West Limerick) 30:08; 2 O Nolan (Dromahane RR) 30:32; 3 G Walsh (Donoughmore) 31:11.
1 M Murphy (Shandrum) 32:03; 2 M Ui Chonghaile (Donoughmore) 34:54; 3 M Murphy (Mallow) 35:47.
1 B O’Leary (unatt) 43:17.
1 C O’Donoghue (unatt) 36:45; 2 J Hosford (unatt) 37:08; 3 S Collins (unatt) 37:08.
App?
