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Munster Champs. at Slievenamon

Wednesday July 6 - Matt Twomey

Lenihan / Mc Intyre Duel Expected On Slievenamon!

Sparks are expected to fly in the Slievenamon Munster Championship mountain race on Sunday next July 10th, between the former World Champion John Lenihan of Riocht AC, leader of the 2005 Munster championship with two races to go and the 2005 runner-up James Mc Intyre of Tulla AC. The ultra competitive Tom Blackburn of Bilboa AC will be up there also as will Martin Mc Donald of North Laois AC, last year?s winner of the race. Mc Donald will be striving to retain the fabulous cut glass trophy which has spent more days of its life on his County Laois sideboard than any-where else. Dzintars Klava of Ballinonty AC, a Latvian, who is an International steeplechaser in his home country, put in a star performance to finish 2nd to Lenihan in Crohaun and could add spice to the proceedings on Sunday,should he appear.
It is very difficult to see the defending Lady?s Munster Champion, Loretto Duggan of St Mary?s AC, being beaten on Slievenamon, despite her poor performance on Slieve Bearnagh in her in her native county. She is tough, brave and resilient and never quits. My spies tell me that she ran a tough road race a few days prior to the Clare event - brave girl. Maureen Foley of Bilboa AC , the defending Munster Champion, who is just back from a bit of a break could be the joker in the pack. The tough experienced Teresa Tuohy of Nenagh Olympic would heighten the momentum should she appear as would Kate Moyna of Riocht who may not , how-ever,be recovered sufficiently after her heavy fall on Carrauntoohil to make the event..
Tadhg Vaughan of the organizing club Coolquill AC who has stepped up an age group this year is expected to put up a good fight in the M/40 category, but Tom Walshe of Tulla AC will prove to be a tough nut to crack., as will his clubmate James Kenny.
Mike Mc Auliffe of Riocht AC has no peers in the M/50 category, but Joe Aherne of Bilboa AC and Matt Alexander of the organizing club Coolquill may have something to say about that. The duel is expected to continue in the M/J category between Paul Lenihan of Riocht AC and Sam Hand of West Limerick AC.
This contest could go either-ways, but Sean Stlwell of West Waterford AC will not be beaten on the day should he appear.
The Slievenamon Munster Championship Mountain Race will take place this coming Sunday July 10th at 1.00 PM. Race head-quarters will be at Kehoe?s pub, Kilcash, near Clonmel , Co Tipperary and the race is being organized by members of the Coolquill Athletic Club. It is the penultimate race on the 2005 Munster calender , is the longest established and is a real classic.