Latest news with #GlenmoreAC
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Record numbers descend upon Cooley Peninsula for Glenmore AC's Challenge Running Festival
Nestled between the mountains of Slievenaglogh and Slieve Foye, the beautiful valley of Glenmore offers competitors stunning views of the Cooley mountains and Dundalk Bay as they take on the challenge. The event has grown in popularity each year, expanding from the original 10 mile route to now include race distances of 5km, 10km, the original 10mile route, Half Marathon, and this year saw the introduction of a full marathon distance for the first time. Race HQ was at Mullaghbuoy Community Centre as usual, with buses organised to transport the 5km competitors to their race start, with the 10km, 10-mile, half and full marathon starts within walking distance from the centre. This year saw a record attendance of over 500 competitors complete the challenge. As was evident from the wide array of club colours on display, there was great support from local clubs north and south of the border, as well as some less familiar ones. There were some great performances on the day from Glenmore club members with Martin McCarragher winning the 10km event, Annie McGuinness third lady in the 10 mile race and winner of the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cup. RACE RESULTS Men - Top 3 5km: 1. Neil McGeough 15:40 (Newcastle & District); 2. Paul Cummins 16:19 (NA); 3. Paul Blayney 16:42 (Beechmount Harriers AC) 10km: 1. Martin McCarragher 38:21 (Glenmore AC), 2. Ronan Kennedy 39:22 (NA), 3. Paddy O'Mahony 39:25 (Ardee & District AC) 10 mile: 1. Brendan Heaney 56:29 (Armagh AC), 2. Maurice McMahon 57:01 (North East Runners AC), 3. Drew Fowler 59:29 (Ballydrain Harriers AC) Half Marathon: Eoin O'Connell 1:16:22 (Tara AC), 2. Ronan Wogan 1:18:26 (Raheny Shamrock AC), 3. Conor McCooey 1:26:37 (Blayney Rockets AC) Marathon: George Snee 2:40:17 (NA), 2. Arturas Siktorovas 3:06:18 (Monaghan Phoenix AC), 3. Paul O'Sullivan 3:25:54 (NA) ADVERTISEMENT Women – Top 3 5km: 1. Edel Corr 19:00 (Galbally Runners), 2. Denise McCann 19:14 (Galbally Runners), 3. Bernie Balfe 21:21 (Ardee & District AC) 10km: 1. Lisa Conlon 41:55 (Dunleer AC), 2. Kelly Ann O'Brien 43:57 (North East Runners AC), 3. Emer McKenna 49:08 (Monaghan Phoenix AC) 10 mile: 1. Eimear McCracken 1:07:39 (Annadale Striders), 2. Niamh O'Brien 1:09:48 (NA), 3. Annie McGuinness 1:10:30 (Glenmore AC) Half Marathon: 1. Ann O'Rourke 1:41:24 (Carrick Aces AC), 2. Brenda Barry 1:45:06 (Monaghan Phoenix AC), 3. Eileen Fearon 1:50:38 (Slieve Gullion Runners) Marathon: 1. Petra Shanley 3:43:26 (NA), 2. Anne Lyons 4:00:36 (Clonliffe Harriers AC), 3. Lorna Doran 4:03:01 (Carrick Aces AC) 10-mile age category winners: M40 – Donal McMorland (1:02:07) Glenmore AC; M50 – Steve Reenan (1:05:58) North East Runners AC; M60 – Gerry O'Connell (1:08:45) Glenmore AC; F40 – Joanne O'Connor (1:13:24) Glenmore AC; F50 – Grainne Keenan (1:17:25); F60 – Rose White (1:44:10) Glenmore AC Glenmore AC won both of the team prizes in the 10 mile race: Men - Donal McMorland, Cormac Crawley, Gerard McBride, Gerry O'Connell Ladies - Annie McGuinness, Joanne O'Connor, Yvonne Gallagher, Sarah Dooney-Conlon Kenneth McBride 10-mile Perpetual Cup winners Donal McMorland and Annie McGuinness took home the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cups for the first male and female athletes from Glenmore AC in the 10mile race. Kenneth, a former Glenmore AC Chairperson and driving force behind the creation of the original Glenmore Challenge over 10 years ago, sadly passed away recently. He is sorely missed in the preparation for the event each year, and on the day itself. It is with great thanks to the McBride family for donating the cups, that Kenneth's influence on the event will continue. It was also wonderful to have so many of the McBride family present at the event with special mention to Kenneth's mother Mamie McBride, and children James, Bríanán and Dearbhla who presented the cups at the end of the race. Kenneth's son, James was also competing in the 10km event and raised €6,000 through a go-fund-me page he set up for the Irish Cancer Society in memory of his father. Competitors were greeted at the finish with the unique medals and t-shirts and the now legendary post-race atmosphere and refreshments including a BBQ and non-alcoholic beers amongst other refreshments. There was a significant increase in the number of competitors at this year's event, and the club is aware that there were some finishers who did not receive a medal. If anyone who didn't receive a medal and would like one posted out to them, please email glenmoreac@ or contact Fiona on 086 6667840. Well done to all Glenmore Athletes who took part in the events. Marathon competitors: PJ Hynes (4:11:28), Fiona Mhic Conchoille (4:12:27) Half Marathon: Peter Noone (1:29:47), Margaret Purcell (2:03:26), Kevin Woods (2:03:26), Paul Burns (2:11:05), Aisling Murphy (2:11:06) 10-mile: Donal McMorland (1:02:07), Cormac Crawley (1:06:02), Gerard McBride 10th (1:08:44), Gerry O'Connell (1:08:44), Annie McGuinness (1:10:30), Joanne O'Connor (1:13:24), Yvonne Gallagher (1:26:16), Sarah Dooney-Conlon (1:26:48), Kevin Harnett (1:27:43), Rose White (1:44:10), Shane Arnold (1:47:49), Tony Elmore (1:47:49), Joan Farnon (1:50:57), Barry MacConchoille (1:54:54), 10km: Martin McCarragher (38:21), Maeve White (50:07), Ronan Oliver (50:40), James McBride (52:02), Ciaran Walsh (52:02), Hugh O'Neill (52:46), Tony Purcell (1:23:44) 5km: Mario Kolak (17:41), Eugene Rafferty (19:32), Patrick Oliver (19:55), Ciaran Galligan (21:13), Ursula Noone (22:57), Marina Jakopcin kolak (23:23), Paul Flanagan (24:00), Kevin McKoewn (26:04), Gillian McElarney (26:08), Logan McAreevey (27:18), Erin McGreehan (30:16), Anita Roddy (31:56), Theresa Keenan (32:15), Deirdre Rice (34:46), Orla McGee (35:46), Noeleen Quigley (46:43) Full results available at –
Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Glenmore to host annual Challenge Running Festival in heart of Louth's Cooley Peninsula
The festival consists of a number of races, including a 5km, 10km, 10mile, Half Marathon and this year a new Full Marathon race, all set along a scenic route through the unspoiled valley of Glenmore, in the heart of the Cooley Peninsula, the land of the Táin Legend. Race HQ will be at Mullaghbuoy Community Centre as usual, and as in previous years, there will be a proper festival atmosphere guaranteed with a BBQ, beer, and music awaiting competitors at the finish line. Before that however, athletes will have to conquer the challenging hills of Glenmore. Last year's winners were as follows: Half Marathon – Shane Toner (Glenmore AC) and Mary Ryan, 10 mile - Drew Fowler and Eimear McCracken, 10km - Jacek Latala and Joanne O'Connor (Glenmore AC) and 5km - Mark O'Connor and Brenda Mullan but will we see titles defended or new champions crowned? There will be a unique medal for all finishers with prizes for first, second and third Male/Female in each race, and Team and Age Category prizes for the 10mile event only. Last year saw the introduction of the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cups for the first male and female athletes from Glenmore AC in the 10mile race. Kenneth, who was our former Club Chairperson and driving force behind the creation of the Glenmore Challenge, sadly passed last year. He is sorely missed, and it is with great thanks to the McBride family for donating the cups, that Kenneth's influence on the event continues to live on. The club would like to thank our sponsors in advance of the event, without whose support we would be unable to host such a fantastic event. Main Sponsors - Greenore Port, KTF Housing, Alltec; Mile Sponsors – Gerry Rice, Top Oil Omeath, O'Neill Plant Hire, Barry's Shop, Whiteline Networks, Dublin Foot Clinic, AMC Loss Assessors, Appletree Dental Care, Brendan Reid Sportswear, Visit Carlingford, and Shane White Farrier. The club is also grateful to Noreast Beers for the post-race refreshments Important information ADVERTISEMENT Glenmore AC would like to issue the following important information to residents living along the route – The 5k will start near the Long Woman's grave while the 10k starts at the top of Martins (Glenmore AC Granite Stone). The 10 mile race, half and full marathon will be starting just up from Mullaghbuoy Community Centre. The marathon starts at 9am, and all other races start at 10am. The marathon cut off finishing time is 3.30pm. The club would really appreciate if people could spread this information amongst their family, friends and neighbours. There are also another couple of requests: If you are home on the day, please cheer on the runners that are passing by your house. The area is noted for its warm welcome to visitors.# If you have a dog, please keep it in your garden as the runners might frighten them. Please mind the runners if you are driving on the route around the time of the race (9am – 4pm). Please note also that there may be some minor traffic restrictions, but no road closures are planned. Finally, everyone is very welcome to join the race and /or the celebrations after the event. If you have any additional questions, please contact Fiona on 0866667840 or by email glenmoreac@ The club would like to thank you in advance for all your help and cooperation.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Glenmore AC Juveniles shine in the Drogheda relay sun
The Argus Today at 16:55 It was another glorious evening on Thursday May 22, and the relay teams were out in force at the Louth Relays in Drogheda. Well done to all Glenmore AC teams and to the coaches for having them so well prepared - hard work pays off. Results U9 Boys: 1st - Conor Gallagher, Ivan Kane, Archie Oliver and Céadan Duffy. Sub: Elliot Prenty U10 Girls: 4th - Lily McDonald, Edie O'Neill, Emily O'Hagan and Muireann O'Reilly U10 Boys: 4th - Jesse Ruddy, Elliot Prenty, Tom Hanratty and Iarla Ryan U11 Girls: 2nd - Semi-final. 4th Final - Naoise O'Reilly ,Niamh Ryan, Faye McCann and Mia Harvey. Subs: Brianna Murphy and Thea Fleming. U11 Boys: 4th - Semi-final. 7th Final - Jayden O'Hagan, Aiden Galligan, Daithi Fleming and Torin Malone. U12 Girls: 2nd - Semi-final. 5th Final - Aobha Morgan, Aoibheann Finnegan, Erin Gallagher and Shauna Flynn. Sub: Annie Hanratty . U12 Boys: 1st - Nikita Zabelin, Ethan Kane, James Duffy and Adam McDonald. Sub: Michael McBride. U13 Boys: 1st - Owen McGrath, Luke Ryan, Oisin O'Brien and Conor Finnegan. 4th - Colin Oliver, Iarla Glenholmes, Aaron Finnegan and Caillum Murphy. U14 Boys: 1st- Harry McArdle, Darragh Ryan, Tadhg McGrath and Toby Fleming. Sub: Tynan Ward . ADVERTISEMENT U15 Boys: 3rd - Nathan O'Hagan, Kevin Wynne, Jonah Moore and Oisin Gallagher. U19 Girls: 1st - Zoe McGrath, Sophie Caldwell, Aine Gallagher and Katie McCourt. Sub: Fiona Wynne. Leinster relay finals Glenmore AC's juveniles were also in action over the weekend at two locations. Firstly the relays teams, fresh from their county victories on Thursday night, headed to the SETU South Sports Campus in Carlow to participate in the Leinster relay finals on Saturday. The U12 Boys 4 x 100m boys team of Nikita Zabelin, Ethan Kane, James Duffy and Adam McDonald, finished third in their heat and advanced to the final where they ran a good race outside the medals. The U14 Boys 4 x 100m boys team of Harry McArdle, Darragh Ryan, Tadhg McGrath and Toby Fleming ran a superb race to finish third in a straight final. Overall a great result for the club in relays and testament to the extra and focussed training that the coaches laid on for the last number of weeks. Leinster Combined Events On Sunday in Carlow three athletes Owen McGrath, Gillian Tuohy and MollyAnn Moore represented the club in the Leinster Combined Events. A multi-event competition, it was the culmination of a series of training undertaken by the coaches to have athletes up to speed in several events at the same time. Much time is involved in achieving competency at multi-events and the athletes achieved the competencies and excelled beyond expectations to deliver for the club. Owen McGrath in Boys U13, undertook hurdles, long jump, shot putt, high jump and the 600m in his first foray into the multi-event competitions and can be proud of his results. Gillian Tuohy, also taking part in her first multi-event competition took on hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump and the 800m growing into the day when she finished with a win in the 800m - Kate O'Connor style - to secure third place overall. MollyAnne Moore, moving up an age group to girls U18, also undertook hurdles, long jump, shot putt, high jump and 800m and maintained second place throughout the day securing joint first in the high jump and - again Kate O'Connor style - first in the 800m in a very tight race to secure second place overall. The new Glenmore AC club tent also had its first outing in Carlow, another welcome addition to the club. All Ireland Community Games Cross Country The club's cross country gang donned the winter spikes again and combined with teammates from other clubs across the county, formed a mixed cross country team representing Louth in the All Ireland Community games in Gormanstown, Co Meath. The boys and girls ran together in a 1200m race with Packie Duffy, Caoimhe Galligan, Conor Finnegan, Aaron Finnegan and Charlie Gallagher making up a 10 person Louth county team in the Over 11/Under 13 age category. They finished fourth team overall which in community games secures a medal. A great experience for the club athletes with lots of entertainment and activity to take in at the venue. Off to Tullamore This weekend the Children's Games and U12 and 13 Championships take place in Tullamore with the U14-U19 Championships taking place in Tullamore on June 14 and 15.
