Club News

Despite the disappointment of Munster loosing their Champions cup Semi final, their home base at the University of Limerick was buzzing on Sunday’s beautiful spring morning. Limerick TC’s flagship event – the only triathlon in Limerick city – is held in honor of Limerick athlete Joey Hannan, whose life was cut short in its prime. Our unique event comprises races at 3 distances, with Ireland’s only pool based Olympic triathlon run alongside a Sprint and Try distance. As an early event on the calendar, many athletes use the Olympic as a warm up to early season Half and Full Iron distance event, but there are also many first timers who prefer to opt for the pool, and families who get a chance for youths and juniors to partake alongside parents.

The Olympic event was won by Eden TC’s Enda Bagnall who ran an impressive 39:35 for the slightly longer than 10Km run, he was followed home by Brendan Crawford, with Ian Purcell rounding out the podium.

While for the women last years runner up Celia Davin from TriLakes, went one better to take the win, from Ann Marie Power of Cork TC who had strong bike and run legs to bring her into second and Tipp’s Denise Compton took 3rd

In the Sprint Limerick ladies took all 3 podium spots: Kirsten Huysamen dominated across all 3 disciplines to be the 4^th fastest person on the day, with Kathryn Fahy and Lisa Horgan taking 2^nd and 3^rd places.

UL Student and TI HPC athlete Darren Dunne of Nenagh TC led from start to finish to come home stylishly and win a Limerick TC event for the first time with at 3:40 margin over Junior Cathal Browne of Ennis TC, and his club mate Gerard Troy taking third.

The Try distance was dominated by Youths & juniors, with Sabian Kulczynskia first home in an impressive time,  Ennis TC’s Ella Doherty posted the second fastest time.– one to watch for the future.

For the seniors fastest males were David Sheahan, David O’Brien and Ed O’Farrell, while for the ladies it was Jenny Mularkey, Sinead Sexton Renton and Katie Sayers who were first home.

With all athletes safely home, we were delighted to have Bridget and Gina, two of Joeys sisters with us for the prize giving, and it was a chance for old friends to catch up.

Congratulations to all our finishers – the winners and especially the first timers – so great to see the relief and happiness at the finish line! we hope there won’t be too many upset parents, kids, spouses or pals put out by being beaten – its all about finishing.

Huge thanks to race director Richard Chapman and his team of volunteers, without whom we could not run the event. UL Sport and UL Buildings and Estate for allowing us to run the event, the Gardaí and the Red Cross for keeping us safe, and our sponsors and friends Castlecabin, Fitzgerald Flowers, & O’Neils Mace William St.  The TI Technical officials, our friends at Limerick Masters SC, Limerick Swimming Club and Limerick Cycling club and last but not least Dean from Sports timing – mile buoíchas.

Full provisional are available here