Bumper crowd for Louth GAA club's 5k

Irish Independent

2 days ago

I was only after arriving when I met up with hurler Sean Byrne from New Muirhevna who said he was there to help with the stewarding and said they were expecting a huge crowd to take part.
Next I got a word with ex footballer Pat Mackin from Knockbridge who played with the seniors for 20 years and said it was a lovely evening for the 5K and they were expecting more than 250 to take on the race.
I then headed over for a chat with club chairperson and an old friend of mine Eugene Kirk from Grange who was there with his son Oisin. He told me he was very proud to be there to make sure the inaugural race went off without a hitch and was delighted that the four clubs had come together to help raise money both for the upkeep of the club and help with their brand new pitch which is in the pipeline too.
He then introduced me to chairperson of the ladies team Shane Darcy who was in great form and was looking forward to the run. When I asked if any of his team would be taking part, he jokingly replied 'of course they are, if they're not then they're dropped'!
I did manage to get a quick word with main organiser Fiona Carpenter from Lisroland View who was extremely busy that evening but did say the entire even had come together in a short period of time, around 3 months and was pleased all four clubs showed such enthusiasm towards the fundraiser for the upkeep of the pitch and the grounds.
Not too far away I managed to get a quick chat with Raymond Kelly from Stephenstown who was on the race organising committee and is a manager of the Division 5 team and has been a Brides member for more years than he can remember. He is also a North East Runner and was really looking forward to making sure the event took place without any major incidents.
Next I headed over for a chat with father and son Noel and Ruairí Carpenter from Lisroland View. Ruairí is a Louth Minor player and said neither would be taking part but were happy to be stewarding. They went on to say it's a great event for the Knockbridge community and there's a great buzz of anticipation around the ground.
After this I met up with Andrew Cumiskey from Rathiddy but is better known as the main man from Frank's Carpets from the North Link Retail Park and is responsible for the Ladies u16 and u12 teams who told me there was a lot of preparation getting everything for the 5k but as the start grew closer he was really looking forward to it.
Next I headed over for a quick word with two ladies Sharon Kelly and Deirdre McEnteggart both from Knockbridge. Sharon said she was certainly looking forward to the run and had got the bug after taking part in a 'Couch to 5k'after Christmas. Deirdre said she wasn't taking part but was there to cheer on all the kids during the race.
After this I managed a quick word with Paul Quigley from Lennonstown Manor who is a North East Runner and said he wasn't sure how well he'd go after doing the Newry Half Marathon the previous weekend had found it a bit challenging, but was looking forward to the first Knockbridge 5k all the same.
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I then had the pleasure of meeting Mary McKenna from Little Ash and Kathleen McNally from Rathiddy who said they were there to help out and would be making sure the runners got their sustenance after they'd finished with plenty of tea and refreshments.
Not too far away I met up with Caitriona McCaughey from Dundalk who was warming up and was looking forward to the race.
I then managed to get a quick word with Rita Sweeney from Grange who said she was just there to help out and certainly didn't want me to mention how she had featured on the tv coverage during the big Louth win against Meath in Croke Park a few weeks ago!
Making my way onto the pitch I then got a word with Padraig Smith from Lisroland View, Deirdre Mackin from Rathiddy, Susan and Lauren Fennell from Knockbridge who are all club members were looking forward to the race.
They were then joined by Rachel Rice from Blackrock who told me she plays with the St. Brides ladies and was going to be leading the warm up exercises before the race actually got under way.
I then headed over for a word with Orla Callan from Marlmount and Brenda Kieran from Rathbrist who told me their kids Theo and Ellie Callan, Adam, Joey, Georgia and Dylan are all at the school and have just started to play with the Brides, so they certainly weren't going to miss the fundraiser.
After this I met Glen, Lisa, Jack and Killian Crowe from Seafield Road in Blackrock who said they were all looking forward to the run and thought it was a great idea as a fundraiser for the club.
Not too far away I got a word with Conor McClenaghan from Haggardstown who said he is an ex player and ex student at the school and was definitely there to support the run and was really looking forward to it.
Beside Conor I then caught up with Emma and Paddy O'Connor from Lisroland View who said it was a lovely evening for the race and they were going to be stewarding throughout.
After this I met up with Sinead and Dermot McKeown from Blackrock and Louise Wynne from Lisheen Park who were looking forward to the start and wanted to say a word of thanks to Stephen Hillard from Pro Property whom they said was one of main sponsors of the event.
As Rory McClean the teacher from St, Mary's School called everyone to order on the PA, I caught up with Deirdre Searson from Loughantarve from the camogie club who said she was a steward for the race but wanted a special mention for sister-in-law and niece Tara and Aoife McArdle who were running that evening and to wish them all the best.
Next I met Una Sheils from Dunmahon who was there with niece Niamh Bailey from Knockbridge and told me they were there to support their local club and were looking forward to the run on such a lovely sunny evening.
I then got a word with father and son Eamon and Emmett Kirk from Ballinclare. Eamon was armed with a camera and was there to immortalise the event while Emmett was there to help out to make sure the event ran smoothly.
As the communal stretching got under way I managed to get a quick word with Lorna McLoughlin from Loughantarve who was with son Kyla and Marion Brabazon from Lisroland View who was with daughter Gia and said they were there to support the runners on such a lovely evening.
Finally, before I departed I met Padraig Murphy from Avondale Park who said he was there with his son Patrick, a member of St. Gerards AC who was warming up for the race and agreed they had got a lovely evening for the first Knockbridge5K and wished the club all the best.