NW Sprint/Liam Ball Triathlon 30th May 2010

The 25th Liam Ball Triathlon took place at Templemore Sports Complex on Sunday 30th May. The race which is now incorporated with the North West Sprint Triathlon was organised by the North West Triathlon Club together with Derry City Council. Many local athletes took part enjoying plenty of success on the medal front.

Joanne Doran of the North West Triathlon Club, who went into the woman’s race as favourite lived up to all expectation as she won the women’s race in convincing fashion. Second out of the water, Doran pushed hard on the bike leg to take and extend the lead. Doran finished with a strong run to finish in 1hr 15min 43sec. Letterkenny's Margaret Kelly was 2nd in 1.17.10 with Caron Mullen in 3rd in 1.17.50.
Joanne also took the prize of First Local Female. Aoife Logan took 2nd place in the F30-34 age group in 1.25.52. Roisin Lynch took the F60+ prize together with First Local Female Vet prize in a time of 1.29.28. Shauna Mullan finished in 1.29.40 while Evelyn Donnelly of Foyle Cycling Club made a welcome return to triathlon clocking a 1.32.07. Buncrana's Grainne Neary, who is also a member of City of Derry Spartans AC took the Junior Ladies prize in a time of 1.23.31. The Bally Family Relay took part in the Ladies race with Liam Ball's three daughters, Kerrylee, Lianne and Angeline each completing a leg of the race.

In the men's race overall winner, Connor Murphy of Leicester Triathlon Club, lead from the outset and despite the efforts of the chasing pack he left them fighting for the minor placings. Murphy broken the hour mark storming home in 59mins 26secs. Paul Caroll of Belfast's Olympian Triathlon Club took 2nd in a time of 1.03.43 while Sean Featherstone of Newry was 3rd in 1.04.13. Colm Quigley of the North West was next accross the line in 1.04.33, winning the M35-39 age category and First Local Male awards for his efforts. Paul McConnellogue was the next North West man to finish in 1.05.54, winning First Local Male Vet and coming 2nd in M40-44 age category.

Gary O'Donnell crossed the line in 1.08.37 coming 3rd in M30-35 age group while Joe Doherty wasn't far behind in 1.09.15. Paul McGilloway was the next local man to finish in 1.10.42 with Brendan Doherty finishing in 1.11.09. James Beattie and Frakie Dunlop were next home in 1.12.05 and 1.12.43 respectively. Dunlop also took 2nd in the M50-54 age category. Mickey McBride made the trip up from Dublin to represent the North West finishing in 1.13.37. Philip Bradley and Eamon Harkin battled to the line with Bradley clocking 1.15.45 and Harkin a 1.15.49. Gavin Molloy enjoyed a good race crossing the line in 1.17.27. Peter McLaughlin finished in 1.18.55 while Darren Deehan clocked a 1.18.39. Brian McCallion raced to a 1.21.47 with Garvin Doherty of Foyle Valley AC hot on his heals on a 1.21.50.

Terry Donnelly made it 25 races out of 25 completing every Liam Ball Triathlon down through the years, finishing in 1.24.16. Joining Donnelly in this milestone achievement was Derry's own Danny Sheerin completing the race in 2.10.24. Sheerin also took the M65-69 age category prize. Shaun Heaney of the NW crossed the line in 1.26.06 while Cormac Woods was right behind him in 1.26.08. Gareth Doherty of Foyle Valley AC finished in 1.27.08. Tony Morrison clocked a 1.30.41 with Packy Deehan and Paddy McGilloway crossing the line in 1.30.48 and 1.32 respectively. Clive Bell took the M60-65 age category in a time of 1.40.03.

The Male Junior prize was awarded to Carl O'Reilly who finished in a time of 1.16.12. The Spirit of the Race award went to Michelle Kelly which is given annually by the Ball family to a competitor who captures the true meaning taking part in such an event and sometimes overcoming the odds to complete the race.

Prizes were awarded by Liam Ball's wife and sister together with the Mayor of Derry and Aileen Morrison who is a memeber of the North West Triathlon Club and the Irish Triathlon Squad hoping for Olympic qualification for London 2012. Gerry Lynch was the announcer.

The North West Triathlon club would like to thank the Ball Family, the Derry City Council, St. John's Ambulance, the PSNI & Gardai, Foyle Cycling Club, Foyle Valley Athletics Club and it's own club members and friends for all their help with making this race an enjoyable and sucessful day.

Limavady Triathlon Success for the North West

The Limavady Triathlon took place on Saturday 15th May. 12 members of the North West Tri Club made the trip to the Roe Valley for what is traditionally the first triathlon of the season for most in the NW. With podium finishes in both the men's and women's race it proved a successful day all round.

Joanne Doran finished on the top spot in the women's race. Doran took full advantage of a strong swim to stay ahead of the chasing pack which included Derry's Anne Paul and Letterkenny's Margaret Kelly for the remainder of the race. She crossed the line in a time of 1hour 13minutes 55seconds with Paul and Kelly second and third respectively. Aoife Logan stopped the clock on 1.25.11.

Colm Quigley led the North West men in an exciting race that saw the fight for podium spots go right down to the run course. Eventual winner Alister Duffield marginally led Quigley out of the water, however with a strong bike leg and quick transitions from Quigley he was first man out on to the run. With Paul Carroll and Duffied was now chasing, both men had to produce the two fastest run splits of the day to catch Quigley who took third spot in 1.03.17.

Paul McConnellogue was the next NW man across the line in 1.05.49 winning the M40-44 age category. Jarlath Fearon, who despite struggling with a hamstring problem on the run, fought his way to the finish in a time of 1.09.14. Joe Doherty, who went off in an earlier heat, finished in 1.09.17. James Beattie and Paul McGilloway raced to the line with Beattie just getting the edge on McGilloway in times of 1.10.09 and 1.10.14 respectively. The 'awl han' Frankie Dunlop wasn't far off either finishing in 1.10.50. Patrick McLaughlin, who was fresh from competing in a half-ironman the previous weekend, raced to a 1.13.36. Gavin Molloy enjoyed a good race to stop the clock in 1.18.17 while club newcomer Stevie Ballard finished in a very credible 1.24.42.

Next up for the club is the NW Sprint/Liam Ball Triathlon on Sunday 30th May. This race is hosted by the North West Club and it is the 25th anniversary of the Liam Ball Triathlon. The race is the Ulster Sprint Triathlon Championships with the additional bonus of again being part of the National Series which means that all competing athletes will be racing for points in the Series as well as an Ulster title!