Athletics: Acorn runner Diarmuid O'Kane shakes off effects of being kicked by a cow

It began last Sunday at Titanic 10k,the flat course is normally a fast one but with the wind in the runners faces as they turned around into the home straight it was a tough finish.

1000 runners turned out for 10k route hosted by Athletics NI. Acorn Diarmuid O’Kane had shaken off the effects of being kicked by a cow; trouper that he is Diarmuid hardly mentioned it. And he tore into this race, the first Acorn home in a great 36.54. New member Colm Mullan finished strongly in 38.08, John Knocker in 46.04, Marsha Abbot in 47.15.

Ladies captain Rosemary Hargan began a busy week in 48.06, Jason Crawford in 53.39, Teresa Mulligan in 57.51, Charlene Hyndman and Vicki Hassan, both in 71.01.

Some Acorns travelled to Magherafelt Duathlon hosted by Triangle Triathlon Club on Sunday a cold sharp morning. Steven Mulholland was first Acorn in a great 1.03.48, Leslie Maneely in 1.10.21 and Lynn Shields in 1.20.55.

On Tuesday a large number of blue belles travelled to Ballymena Belles 5 mile road race. The ladie-only event raises money for Pretty in Pink charity. A record 360 runners turned up at Galgorm, a fast flat start into a steady climb, fast downhill section and flat sprint to the finish. Sandra Mckeown continued her good form to be first Acorn in 37.19, followed by ladies captain Rosemary Hargan in 39.17. Marsha Abbott third Acorn in 39.24, Edel McGuckin. Bridie Young had a great run in 43.15, Lisa Gibson 43.17, Ciara Quinn 43.26, Gillian Kirkpatrick 43.29, Denise Wright 45.45, not long recovered from injury Catriona Davis in 45.58, Sandra Hunter 46.35 and Judith Black 47.30. Judith Maneely came home in 47.35 , Michaela Duffin in 48.01, Alanda Greer and Wendy Doyle finishing together in 51.52, Una McAlister in 55.10, Victoria Mckee 56.00 and Stephanie Campbell 57.29. Congratulations to Rosemary Hargan, first in her age group.

On Wednesday a hundred runners were in Bay Road 5k road race in Maiden City, hosted by City Of Derry Ac. Acorn’s Bliadhan Glass took full advantage of good conditions and fast course to get a new pb of 16.45 in 12th overall.

On Thursday Firmus Energy Meet was at Mary Peters track, Acorn’s Andrew Shaw and Cathaoir Purvis in 1500 metres. Andrew in the u15 finished with pb of 5.23, Cathaoir in u17 in a great 4.32.

On Friday, a coach load of Acorns descended for Dental Solutions 5k hosted by Derry City. The ladies race started before the mens as the track was narrow in stages. Natalie Hall had a great race and was first Acorn lady in 20.05 finishing 2nd lady overall. Darrell McKee first Acorn male 17.01, 4th overall, was first in age category. Pat Groogan had a great run in 19.51, first in age group.

Born to Run welcomed 800 runners to Castleward Half and 10k race, a location shoot for Game of Thrones, Rosemary Hargan in her third event of the week finished half marathon in 1hour 58mins alongside running partner John Knocker. Gillian Kirkpatrick in second run of week finished 10k event in 59 mins.

Well done to Amy Rose Mulligan, second female overall in 23.49 at the Gortin 5k.At Dungiven Gaelscoil 10k and 5k,in his third event, Diarmuid ‘Kane had a great 37.56 to finish second overall. Leona Davidson had a great 57.53.

Colm Mullan in Roe Valley 5k finished second male overall. And Bronagh Stockman, Damien and Caroline Kelly took part in Killeeshil 10k.