Athletics

Tony Devaney of the Mayo United Athletic Club proved an easy winner of the special 5K roadrace held in Ballinamore on Friday evening last as part of the Olympic sendoff for Colin Griffin. The Mayo runner came home comfortably clear of Sligo"s Ultan McNasser with Tommy Casey of North Sligo third to win the junior award. After a wet morning and afternoon the rain stopped a few hours before the scheduled start time and the huge field of over a hundred runners, joggers and walkers set off in brilliant sunshine. The out and back course brought them to Edintinny and by the turn Devaney seemed to be able to contain the challenge of the two Sligo runners. North Leitrim"s Liam Feely was also well in contention with North Sligo"s Thomas McBride and Martin Fulton from Bailieboro also well positioned. Devaney charged for home with McNasser and Casey in pursuit. Feeley held fourth position and was the winner of the third senior prize as Casey had opted to run junior. Sligo"s Danny Hannon in sixth place was the first veteran home and Ballinamore"s Fergal Ellis in tenth position was third junior after Casey and Caoimhin Kelly of Glaslough. Emily Meehan of Bailieboro was the first senior lady in twenty eighth place. The first veteran lady was Anne Burke of Ballinasloe while Tom Hunt of Mayo won the Veteran 11 class. Louise Mulvaney of North Leitrim finished thirty sixth, Niamh Griffin forty second and Grainne Griffin forty eighth. Ciara O Dowd of Ballinamore A C completed the distance as a racewalker and did Dylan Mimna who will represent Leitrim in the walk in Mosney later in the month. Prizes were presented in the Community Centre by Club chairman Michael Kenny. Among those who attended was recently retired AAI President Michael Heery. A presentation was made to Colin Griffin by Michael Kenny of behalf of the club and by Deputy Chairperson P J Leddy on behalf of Leitrim County Board. Results Men: 1 Anthony Devaney (Mayo Utd) 16.49, 2 Ultan McNasser (Sligo A C ) 17.03, 3 Liam Feely (North Leitrim) 17.09 Junior men: 1 Tommy Casey (North Sligo) 17.06, 2 Caoimhin Kelly (Glaslough) 17.43, 3 Fergal Ellis (Ballinamore) 18.24 Women: 1 Emily Meehan (Bailieboro) 21.12, 2 Linda Harte (Ballinamore) 25.47, 3 Pam Quinn (Ballinamore) 26.23 Junior women: 1 Alisha Boylan (Oriel) 2053, 2 Aisling Casey (North Sligo) 20.57, 3 Kate Burke (Ballinasloe) 20.52 Vet 1 men: 1 Danny Hannon (Sligo) 17.28, 2 Paul McDermott (North Leitrim) 18.41, 3 Michael Casey (North Sligo) 18.48. Vet 1 women: 1 Anne Burke (Ballinasloe) 20.27, 2 Geraldine McAree (Glaslough) 27.09, 3 Violet Cullen (North Leitrim) 28.20. Huge crowd at social function There was a huge crowd at the Social Function in the Commercial Hotel later that night as Ballinamore and the county in general marked the achievement of Colin Griffin in qualifying for the Beijing Olympics. Tommy Moran who was MC for the night spoke on behalf of the Community and the organising Committee which also included John Harte, Michael Kenny, Brian O Dowd and Gregory Smyth. Presentations were made to Colin Griffin by Gregory Smyth and Michael Kenny on behalf of the organisers. Representatives of many sporting and other organisations were present including top walker Laura Reynolds and Leitrim"s Olympic oarswoman from the Moscow Olympics Frances Cryan. P J Leddy conveyed a message from his brother, USA based Eddie Leddy who was Leitrim"s and Ballinamore"s first Olympian in Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976. Aine Tighe third in grangemouth Aine Tighe finished third in the 80m hurdles event at the Celtic International in Grangemouth, Scotland, on Saturday afternoon.The event was won by Ulster athlete Aimee McNeilly in 11.89 with Amelia Richards of Wales second in 12.12 with Aine third in 12.47. She was also a member of the AAI 4 x 300m relay team which finished fourth. Community games training Training for Community Games Athletics qualifiers is now taking place in Ballinamore on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 00 p.m. Annual festival roadraces in Ballinamore The Annual Festival Roadraces will be held in Ballinamore along the canal on Wedenesday August 13th at 7 00 p.m. Entries will be taken at the Community Centre from 7 00p.m. The events are - Under 7 (born2002) 300m, Under 9 (born 2000 or 2001) 500m, Under 11 (born 1998 or 1999) 600m, Under 13 (born 1996 or 1997) 800m, Under 15 (born 1994 or 1995) 1000m,Over 15 1200m. There will also be an Under 13 and Over 13 Walk.