ATHLETICS: Murray claims third in Dublin
GARY Murray came third in the Woodie's DIY National Cross Country Championships in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
The St Malachy's athlete, the runaway Ulster champion, worked hard but had to give best to a determined Mark Kenneally.
The Clonliffe runner, eighth in the Europeans before Christmas had previously taken seven silver medals in Inter Counties and National competition, but made no mistake this time as he took the lead from the gun pursued by Murray and Gary Thornton of Galway.
Kenneally raised the pace after half distance and was fifty metres clear at 8K. He went on to win by fourteen seconds from Thornton who just got the better of Murray in the closing stages. Annadale's Paddy Hamilton and Eddie McGinley came tenth and eleventh. Clonliffe were team winners.
North Belfast took the silver medals in the Womens team event behind holders DSD. They were led by Breege Connolly in eighth, Sharon Bird ninth with Mary-Margaret Meade and Cathy McCourt twenty sixth.
The race was won by Linda Byrne, second last year, who was a minute ahead of Siobhan O'Doherty with top veterans Annette Keely and Niamh O'Sullivan next.
John Tavers took the Junior Mens race from Liam Tremble while amazingly fourteen year old Siofra O'Clerigh-Buttner won the Junior Women ahead of favourite Mary Mulhare before unfortunately being disqualified due to an entry anomaly.
Meanwhile Julie Balmer had a runaway victory in the 18th Albertville 5 Miles Road Race which was held in perfect conditions at Duncrue Industrial Estate. The event sponsored by Belfast City Council attracted 102 competitors.
The pattern was set from the start as Julie went through the first mile ahead of North Down club mate Jessica Craig with Lagan Valley's Rona Harkens leading the chase along with Geraldine Quigley of North Belfast and Gemma Turley of Abbey.
By half distance Julie was absolutely on her own in the Ladies and was well up amongst the men as she came down the long finishing straight to win by fifty four seconds from Rona who had moved up with Geraldine just beating Gemma for third.
North Down's dominance was completed as they took the next four places with Jessica Craig fifth ahead of Debbie Matchett, Ange Perrott and Jill Aicken, Ange was top F35 with Debbie leading the F40's.
The Mens race was close as a quintet of athletes moved away from the rest in the early stages with North Belfast trio Martin Rea, Conor Magill and Gregory Walsh coming passed the mile mark along with ex Annadale man Conor Curran and Sammy Millar of Ballymena and Antrim.
Magill was a stride in front of Millar and Rea as they went into the last loop but it was Millar, better known as a versatile track runner, who sprinted clear of ultra distance man Rea to win by five seconds.
Magill held on to third just in front of Walsh, who was having his first race for some time, and Curran. North Belfast were three of the top four easily won the team award.
Results:
Men: S Millar (Ballymena and Antrim) 26:31; M Rea (North Belfast) 26:36; C Magill (North Belfast) 26:52; G Walsh (North Belfast) 26:56; C Curran (unattached) 27:01.
Ladies: J Balmer (North Down) 30:15; R Harkens (Lagan Valley) 31:09; G Quigley (North Belfast) 32:00; G Turley (Abbey) 32:03; J Craig (North Down) 32:30.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
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