Flying Finnegan finds his feet at Cork Marathon

Athletics: Mayo AC had two runners among the thousands who participated in the annual Cork City Marathon which took place on Sunday, June 2. It’s one of the biggest marathon events on the Irish athletics calendar and a very popular June Bank Holiday race.

Damien Finnegan had run a marathon PB in Dublin 2023 in 3:28.58 and this year has been great form, running 1:28.28 in the Kinvara Half last March.

It was a dry and warm morning in Cork, and temperatures rose from 15°C to 19/20+ making for tough running conditions for all competitors, but Damien’s 3:15.26 at the finish line on St Patrick’s Street represented a massive new marathon personal best by 13 minutes – averaging 4:37 per kilometre, with some brilliant even paced running.

“It was sweltering towards the end,” admitted Damien afterwards, with many runners finding the second half of the race particularly tough.

His clubmate Mary Browne was part of the Irish W65 team who broke the World Record for the 4x800m recently. In Cork, she ran well in the early stages and passed 10k in 52:37 and halfway in 1:51.43, but from there to the end she was one of many competitors who had a painful second half in the increasingly hot conditions. Mary came home in 4:43.26. She will now focus on recovery and we look forward to seeing her back competing soon again.

Meanwhile, the Tullaroan Half Marathon took place in Kilkenny on Saturday, June 1. The course was hilly and provided a challenge for the small field. Mayo AC’s Paula Donnellan came home first of 20 women finishers in 1:40.33.

That same day, the annual Maugherow 10k took place in Co Sligo. The figure of eight course goes to Raghley Harbour and ends with a long drag up to the finish at Maugherow village. The men’s race winner was Alan Dunne of East Mayo AC in a time of 34:51 while Fiona Hennigan of North Sligo AC took the women’s prize in 41:47. Mayo AC’s Ray Clarke who came home 29th of 95 finishers in 42:48.