Ireland’s marathon men impress over the shorter distances, while Rio 2016 Olympian steeplechasers were in action in England.

Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock, who will compete in the marathon at next month’s European Championships, was the runaway winner of the Roscommon 10-Mile in 49:31.

Ballyfin’s Colin Maher was second in 53:18. The first woman was Sinead Foran of Athenry AC in 67:07. A close second in 67:14 was Sligo AC’s Mari Johnston.

Winner of the Achill Half Marathon in 70:45 was national marathon champion Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers. The first woman was Amanda Watters in 92:13.

At the Great Rossa Run Half Marathon in Ardboe in Co Tyrone on Sunday (Jul 8) Delfin Pimental from Dungannon was the winner in 78:53.

Newry’s Don Travers was over a minute behind for second in 80:09 and Eimear Nicholl of St Peter’s Lurgan fourth overall and first woman in 84:18.

Just behind her in fifth place and first M55 was Olympian and twice Belfast Marathon winner Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny Running Club in 84:84.

Simon Ryan of Boyne AC was the winner of the St Kevin’s Community 5km on Friday evening (July 6) in a time of 16:12. Tallaght’s Laura McDonnell was the first woman in 18:33.

Track

Sarah Healy starred in the distance events at the European U18 Championships winning two gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m.

Photo: European Athletics via Getty Images

It was a competition of success for the Irish in Gyor, Hungary, with 15-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke taking to gold in girls 200m and Sophie O’Sullivan bagging silver in the girls 800m. Full reports from the four days of action can be found here.

Leevale’s Michele Finn, who made her return from injury two weeks ago at the Irish National League (10:08), was back in action hoping to make up for lost time at the BMC Meet in Eltham on Saturday (July 7).

She won the race in 10:27.11 with her Rio Olympics teammate Sara Treacy from Dunboyne AC second in 10:35.30. Although only three competed in the race, it was a much needed outing for the two Irish athletes.

Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle, the third of the three “steeple chicks” who qualified for Rio, is currently top of the rankings with a time of 9:53 from Oordegem in May, which is inside the B qualification time of 9:55 for the European Championships.

Also in Eltham, Conor Dooney of Raheny Shamrock ran a time of 8:10.47 for fifth in the men’s 3000m. One place behind in 8:11.30 was Jayme Rossiter of Clonliffe Harriers. Both times were lifetime bests. In the 800m, junior athlete John Fitzsimons of Kildare AC finished second in the A race with a time of 1:49.59. Emerald’s Amy O’Donogehue won the women’s A 1500m in 4:18.84.

An Irish women’s 4×100m team competed at the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday (July 5), where they clocked a time of 45.64.

Leading off the team was junior athlete Lauren Roy of City of Lisburn, aged just 17. Making up the team were the experienced trio of Bandon’s Joan Healy, Niamh Whelan of Ferrybank AC and Sarah Murray of Fingallians. Race winners in 42.29 were Switzerland. In May, a different Irish 4×100m ran 44.15 in Oordegem, Belgium.

parkrun

Westport AC teenager Ethan Lloyd claimed the men’s number one spot across the island of Ireland after a 15:38 run at his hometown event.

Catherina McKiernan was the fastest woman this week with a 17:24 run at the Malahide event. The Irish marathon record holder and multiple time World cross country medalist was taking part in her 18th parkrun. The top 10 times from Irish parkruns can be found here.