Following on from an earlier post about a publicity photo for the 1984 Cork City Marathon, more info has come to light. In this guest article which was written by John Walshe back in 1997, he gives an account of the 1984 Cork Marathon and the race wasn't without controversy!
If anyone has any photos or additional info about this race, please let me know.
CORK CITY MARATHON 1984 (John Walshe)
The Olympic Year of 1984 promised much as far as Irish running was concerned. The previous August, Eamon Coghlan had won the inaugural World 5,000m Championships at Helsinki with Regina Joyce finishing seventh in the marathon. In March, John Treacy showed he was returning to his best form when finishing thirteenth in the World C-C in New York.
The Los Angeles Olympic Marathon was being touted as the most eagerly awaited race ever at the distance. To qualify for this classic was the aim of Ireland’s leading exponents as the year made famous by George Orwell got underway.
A major coup for the organisers and sponsors of the third Cork City Marathon came when the Irish governing body BLE designated it the national championship, incorporating the Olympic trial.
“It will be the most competitive race of its kind to be held in Ireland for years,” declared BLE President Paddy MGovern in the race programme.
The numbers participating in races, along with the events themselves, continued to grow. A month before the marathon, the Cork Examiner /Guinness Half-Marathon in aid of the Friends of the Irish Wheelchair Association took place for the first time and had over 1,200 finishers.
With the added boost of national championship status, entries for the marathon showed a big increase to almost 1,500. Michael O’Connell, Managing Director of sponsors Three Stripe International said: “For the vast majority of runners a personal best time will be the main target. This personal achievement is the true magic of the marathon and every individual finisher can be a winner.”
For the elite few, BLE had set stiff times of 2:14 (men) and 2:35 (women) as qualifying standards for the Olympics. The race was seen as the big showdown between the Cork holder Jerry Kiernan and three-time national marathon champion Dick Hooper.
Kiernan had already won the national cross-country crown at Kilmacow in February while Hooper, as was his style, had concentrated solely on the 26.2 mile distance. Ever meticulous with his preparation, the Raheny-man even travelled down to Cork to train on the marathon route.
As often is the case, the weather on this Easter Monday was unseasonably warm, with the date of April 23 being later than normal. The course was unchanged from the previous year and when the gun cracked on the South Mall, Kiernan immediately took the lead. At the first mile mark he had only Donie Walsh for company, with daylight stretching between them and a group which included Hooper, Ray Treacy, Bulgarian Nemov Stanimar and Galway’s Jimmy Fallon.
Kiernan reached three miles in 14:46 with Walsh dropping back to the chasing group which now included Robert Costelloe, Jim McGlynn, Johnny Bolger and Michael Walsh. At five miles, reached in 24:36, Kiernan was 150 yards clear with the group now working together in an effort to close the gap.
Nearing the Regional Hospital, Hooper surged clear and started to eat into Kiernan’s lead. The gap was down to 11 seconds at twelve miles with Hooper occasionally checking his watch and the split times written on his arm. Coming into the city, Kiernan started to pull away again and was over a half-minute clear at 15 miles where he was timed at 74:42.
As well as the warm sunshine, the marathon runners had also to contend with a strong easterly breeze as they headed down the Marina. Coming up to 19 miles, Kiernan appeared to be in some sort of distress as he slowed down, almost coming to a halt. After passing 20 miles in 1:40:48, he was forced to stop on two occasions.
Although word of Kiernan’s plight had reached Hooper, there wasn’t much he could do about it. “I was getting reports back but I had hit the wall at 12 miles. It was a bad run for me,” he related afterwards.
With two miles left of this epic encounter, Kiernan’s lead was just 28 seconds and it looked like he was going to hang on. However, coming into the South Mall and the last three hundred metres, he had to stop again to ease the leg cramps that were causing him such agony. With the huge crowd urging him on and the thought of final release in sight, he crossed the line a relieved man, just nine seconds ahead of the equally gallant Hooper.
In the circumstances, the times of 2:14:30 and 2:14:39 were remarkable. “There must have been 50 times when I thought I was not going to finish,” admitted Kieran. “I had cramps everywhere.” Almost unnoticed, Gerry Deegan had finished strongest of all to take third place in 2:18:20.
Once again, the spectacle up front took from the women’s race where Emily Dowling was determined to make an attempt on the standard of 2:35. But the strong breeze coming up to 18 miles slowed her and after reaching 20 miles in 2:03, she realised she wasn’t going to achieve her aim and retired.
Her DCH team-mate Deirdre Nagle didn’t realise she was in the lead until nearing the South Mall and was therefore surprised to take her first marathon win in a time of 2:48:26, over a minute clear of Christine Kennedy from Galway.
In third, after attracting a lot of pre-race publicity as the local hope, 1983 winner Lucy O’Donoghue recorded another remarkable personal best of 2:56:06 after moving up from 12th place at halfway.
As the remaining finishers struggled to cross the line in various states of exhaustion and exhilaration, they were unaware of the drama unfolding alongside them in the Imperial Hotel.
Because the size of the advertising logos on Kiernan’s and Deirdre Nagle’s vests transgressed the IAAF rules, the two winners were disqualified. The ironic fact was that both of them were wearing adidas apparel, the overall sponsor of the marathon.
“It’s not our ruling,” pointed out Eddie Spillane, PRO of BLE. “It is an IAAF rule and all athletes are aware of it. Before the race, officials approached individual athletes and told them they were wearing illegal vests.”
It also put the Cork County Board and its Chairman Reg Hayes in an embarrassing position as Adidas sponsored the Board along with most of the major road races in the county. The decision was also not lost on Michael O’Connell who called on BLE to clarify the position regarding sponsorship, and to do so in writing.
But it wasn’t over yet. At the prize presentation in the Imperial, Dick Hooper was declared the winner of the national championship. When presented with the winning trophy and medal, he turned and handed it to Kiernan and in a brief emotional speech said: “As much as it breaks my heart, I didn’t win this race and I now hand over the trophies to the real winner.”
The packed room broke into thunderous roars of applause and both Kiernan and Hooper were given standing ovations, much to the obvious embarrassment of the BLE officials.
There was a happy ending later that summer when Kiernan and Hooper were both selected for the Olympic Marathon. Often maligned for their selection policies, BLE for once played a trump card by awarding the third spot to John Treacy who went on to take the silver medal on that unforgettable August evening on the streets of Los Angeles.
Running the race of his life, Kiernan finished a magnificent ninth in what was the greatest marathon line-up in Olympic history.
But his performance was understandably overshadowed by Treacy’s medal and the publicity received paled in comparison to the front page news he had made on that warm Easter Monday four months before.
RESULTS (MEN)
1 Jerry Kiernan 2:14:30
2 Dick Hooper 2:14:39
3 Gerry Deegan 2:18:20
4 Paddy Murphy 2:19:03
5 Nemov Stanimar 2:19:25
6 Martin Deane 2:19:53
7 John Bolger 2:20:13
8 Greg Hannon 2:21:29
9 John Griffin 2:23:26
10 Murt Coleman 2:23:57
RESULTS (WOMEN)
1 Deirdre Nagle 2:48:26
2 Christine Kennedy 2:49:46
Additional info...Click on the link below to see the full post including the full results.
1) This is the front cover of the Irish Runner Magazine after the race. The quality isn't great but it shows the size of the Adidas logos and writing on the singlet.
2) These are the full results....Note all those fast times! 149 under 3 hours.
Cork City Marathon 1984 - Easter Monday
Pos. Name Location Time
1 Jerry J. Kiernan Clonliffe Harriers 2.14.30
2 Dick Hooper Raheny Shamrocks 2.14.39
3 Gerry T. Deegan Waterford City 2.18.20
4 Patrick Murphy Kildare AC. 2.19.03
5 Nenov Stanimer 2.19.25
6 Martin G. Deane Belfast Olympic 2.19.53
7 John P. Bolger 2.20.13
8 Gregory PI Hannon Cavehill/Duncairn 2.21.29
9 John Thomas Griffin St. Johns 2.23.26
10 Martin J. Coleman Liffey Valley 2.23.57
11 Nollaig P. McEntegart Mullingar 2.24.15
12 Michael M. Treacy Dublin City Harriers 2.24.38
13 Tony Ryan Dungarvan A.C. 2.24.57
14 Michael P. Walsh Leevale. 2.25.31
15 Donal C. Walsh Leevale A.C. 2.29.07
16 Peter E. McDermott Clonliffe Harriers 2.30.15
17 Dick Boland Slaneyside 2.30.16
18 Damian D. McCay 2.30.46
19 Michael G. Carey Leevale A.C. 2.31.05
20 Patrick Hooper Raheny Shamrocks 2.31.15
21 Danny McDaid Letterkenny 2.31.29.
22 Christopher B. O'Rellly 2.31.50
23 Christy M. Ryan West Tipperary 2.32.11
24 Gerard P. Carr Metropolitan Harriers 2.32.24
25 Robert E. Gerrity Galway Harriers 2.32.36
26 John M. Cregan Croom 2.32.59
27 Richard J. Hodgins Leevale A.C. 2.33.28
28 Martin J. Farrell Thurles Crokes 2.33.55
29 Christopher M. Crowley Raheny Shamrocks 2.33.58
30 Robert Costelloe Limerick A.C. 2.34.38
31 Thomas O'Loughlin Clonmel A.C. 2.35.03
32 Robert Taylor Stockport Harriers 2.35.21
33 Seamus J. Cregan Croom A.C. 2.35.47
34 Michael J. Carney North Sligo AC. 2.35.59
35 Paul G. Brady Raheny Shamrocks 2.36.36
36 Jack O'Callaghan Leevale A.C. 2.36.55
37 Gerard J Faulkner Metropolitan Harriers 2.37.00
38 Thomas P Breheny Liffey Valley 2.38.30
39 John A McNiff Clonliffe 2.39.37
40 Dermot F. O'Driscoll 2.39.57
41 William M. Hayes Reenavanna Harriers 2.40.02
42 Patrick J. Kerrigan Mallow 2.40.31
43 Geoffrey M. Stacey St. Johns 2.40.38
44 Tom O'Riordan Quigley A.C. 2.41.14
45 Jonathan G. Campbell Raheny Shamrocks 2.41.45
46 Patrick J. Gowen 2.41.50
47 Thomas Maggen Red. 2.42.37
48 Sean P. Cotter 2.42.37
49 Terence Lenehan 2.42.43
50 Thomas Hughes Gortahurk A.C. 2.42.47
51 John Walshe Midleton 2.42.57
52 Gerald Thomas Naughton Queens Park Harriers 2.43.10
53 James M. Kenny 2.43.18
54 Hugh O'Neill Fermoy Harriers 2.43.18
55 Dominic S. Gallaher 2.43.30
56 Calm A. Doran Clonliffe Harriers 2.43.42
57 Unofficial Entry
58 Thomas J. Carey Dublin City Harriers 2.45.09
59 George C Walsh Eastside A.C. 2.45.20
60 Patrick A. Byrne Clonliffe Harriers 2.45.41.
61 Vincent P. Murtagh Lucan Harriers A.C. 2.45.43
62 Billy M Murphy Clonliffe Harriers 2.45.53
63 Bernard Mangan Liffey Valley 2.45.56
64 Timothy O'Donovan Leevale A.C. 2.46.01
65 Pierce T. O'Mahony 2.46.11
66 Adam Jones 2.46.29
67 Michael Bowler Southend-on-Sea 2.47.07
68 Seamsu O'Droma Dungarvan A.C. 2.47.45
69 Noel R. Ahern 2.48.08
70 Anthony J. O'Connell Clonmel A.C. 2.48.19
71 Deirdre Nagle D.C.H. 2.48.26
72 Michel J. Glennon Premier 2.48.29
73 Sean P. O'Farrell Oisin 2.48.35
74 Stephen J Martin Cork Road Runners 2.48.47
75 Michael J Woulfe 2.49.00
76 Thomas L. Owens St. Nicks 2.49.06
77 Nicholas McCabe Mullingar Harriers 2.49.07
78 Padraig M. Faherty Inish Maan Aran Isle 2.49.20
79 Diarmuid McCarthy Bandon A.C 2.49.45
80 Christine Kennedy Galway City Harriers 2.49.46
81 Anthony P Middleton Gowran A.C. 2.49.59
82 Raymond McConnell Villierstown R.C.. 2.50.00
83 Patrick J. Brown Oisin AC. 2.50.34
84 Patrick Lawton Leevale A.C. 2.50.42
85 Anthony J. Warren Palacontatlethes 2.51.09
86 Charlos Melia Rathnew. 2.51.18
87 William C Barrett Limerick A.C. 2.51.41
88 Desmond G. McKiernan Tullamore Harriers 2.51.56
89 Thomas Walsh. Super-Valu 2.51.58
90 Patrick K. Walsh Slaneyside 2.51.59
91 Jimmy W. O'Brien Tralee Jogging 2.52.12
92 Kevin M. Haugh. 2.52.27
93 Philip Cleary Liffey Valley 2.52.31
94 Mark Bennett 2.52.43
95 Gerard A Cantwell Dungarvan 2.52.44
96 Tony Grimes 2.52.49
97 Patrick J. O'Neill St. Finbarrs A.C. 2.52.59
98 Patrick F. Howard 2.53.08
99 Shawn C. Gallagher Ballaghadereen 2.53.18
100 Eugene P. Murphy 2.53.21.
101 William B. O'Riordan 2.53.23
102 Alan R. Bunworth Reenavanna Harriers 2.53.33
103 Terence Swords Oisin 2.53.35
104 Jim Hynes Finn Valley AC 2.53.39
105 Christopher Keogh Oisin A.C. 2.53.44
106 Tom Murphy Skibbereen. 2.53.45
107 John B. Allexander 2.54.20
108 Michael M. Collins 2.54.28
109 Michael T Toomey Redgate. 2.54.32
110 Joseph P Mulvaney Donore Harriers. 2.54.46
111 Peter J. Clancy 2.54.55
112 Liam Moloney 2.54.59
113 Peter J. Corroon Mullingar Harriers 2.55.13
114 Kieran T. O'Connor North Cork 2.55.50
115 Brian D. MacConville 2.55.52
116 John Flood 2.56.05
117 Thomas F Bracken Thurles Crokes 2.56.06
118 Denis P. Hartnett 2.56.06
119 No Name
120 Noel M. Raymond Tralee Jogging 2.56.13
121 Patrick J. Kelly 2.56.13
122 Gerry Conway GDA Boat Club. 2.56.25
123 Liam A Kealy Gowran A.C. 2.56.27
124 John J. O'Brien 2.56.34
125 Richard P. Power Limerick A.C. 2.56.40
126 Eric F. Crockett St. Finbarrs A.C. 2.56.53
127 Jerry P. Lyons Midleton 2.56.53
128 Patrick J McMahon Churchullain. 2.56.56
129 Timothy M. Murphy Cork Road Runners 2.57.02
130 Michel J. O'Riordan Croom 2.57.31
131 Frank Murphy 2.57.35
132 Patrick T. Smith 2.57.38
133 Patrick Bonass Clonliffe Harriers 2.57.41
134 Patrick Prunty Tramore 2.57.48
135 Terence Walsh Slaneyside 2.57.59
136 Roy Ringwood 2.58.19
137 Michel S Wilcock 2.58.22
138 Gerard Ryan Premier A.C. 2.58.30
139 Audrey M O'Brien Dublin City Harriers 2.58.35
140 Terence Ryan North Ossory Harrier 2.58.55
141 Jermiah D. Mohally Cork Road Runners 2.58.56
142 Noel Vaughan 2.58.57
143 James E. Kavanagh Bray Runners. 2.59.03
144 Luke A Philpott St. Peter & Paul's 2.59.15
145 Daniel V. Cronin Tullamore Harriers 2.59.18
146 Anthony J. McDonald Reenavanah 2.59.22
147 David A. Morrisroe BrayRunners. 2.59.42
148 Daniel M. Massey West Limerick 2.59.52
149 Gerry A. Harrington Army 2.59.57
150 Bill D. O'Brien 3.00.03
151 Anthony Duggan St. Josephs 3.00.06
152 Catherine Hennessy Kilkenny 3.00.14
153 Paul Russell 3.00.19
154 Oliver Stafford Doncanna 3.00.19
155 William A. O'Mahony 3.00.28
156 Nuala M Logan. Limerick A.C. 3.00.37
157 Robert M. Moorehouse 3.00.55
158 Terry P Maguire Civil Service Harriers 3.01.13
159 John G Guirey Riverstick 3.01.21
160 Tony Duff Oisin 3.01.36
161 John I. Bessitt Kilcoole. 3.01.46
162 James Bracken Wexford. 3.02.05
163 James F. Moran Mallow 3.02.14
164 Seamus D. Casey Navy 3.02.22
165 John P. Gahan 3.02.23
166 Patrick Higgins Gortahurk A.C. 3.02.29
167 Desmond R. Lewis 3.02.30
168 Cormac Lankford 3.02.32
169 George B. Spicer Super-Valu 3.02.38
170 David J Olden St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.02.43
171 Richard F. Muldoon Athlone 3.02.43
172 Liam O'Shea Collins Barracks 3.02.51
173 William M. Flynn Dungarvan A.C. 3.02.54
174 John A Kerin Marian AC 3.02.55
175 Patrick J. Brock Blackrock AC 3.03.16
176 Michael D. Dalton Aer Lingus 3.03.20
177 Denis Chambers Shannon 3.03.26
178 Michael A Brophy Tramore AC 3.03.50
179 Sean J. Kearns Crusaders A.C. 3.04.27
180 Finbarr W. Finnegan Our Lady's 3.04.31
181 Pascal Goggin 3.04.38
182 Harry M Burke Cork Road Runners 3.04.52
183 Tim Hayes 3.04.54
184 Edwin P. Kearney 3.05.22
185 Gerard A Wallace Bray Runner 3.05.35
186 Stephen O'Mahony 3.05.40
187 Gordon Smyth 3.05.43
188 David Casey. 3.05.50
189 Patrick Hegarty 3.05.58
190 Philip Wright 3.06.02.
191 Frank Fitzgibbon St. Johns 3.06.03
192 Michael J O'Donovan 3.06.03
193 Hugh P. McParland Shannon 3.06.05
194 James A Kennedy 3.06.18
195 Des Murnane Crusaders 3.06.29
196 Michael P. Flynn Super-Valu 3.06.34
197 Joseph A McElliott 3.06.34
198 William F. Brennan 3.06.38
199 Bertie O'Connor Tralee Jogging 3.06.51
200 Neil Kelly Clonliffe Harriers 3.06.52
201 Jimmy P Crowley 3.07.08
202 Thomas E. Murphy St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.07.08
203 Dermot Shannon Marian AC 3.07.14
204 Gerald F. Cronin 3.07.18
205 Hugh Durin. Clonliffe Harriers 3.07.26
206 Peter R. Gaffney Mallow Road Runners 3.07.26
207 Noel Dowling 3.07.29
208 Gerard Macken 3.07.38
209 Thomas F O'Neill Cystic Fibrosis 3.07.51
210 Jeremiah P. Quirke Super-Valu 3.07.52
211 Martin Redmond Enniscorthy A.C. 3.07.56
212 John P. Noonan Oisin 3.07.57
213 Jerry O'Connell Redgate A.C. 3.08.10
214 Denis Murphy Glounthaune AC 3.08.14
215 Daniel J O'Connor North Cork 3.08.16
216 Eamonn Ryan Civil Service A.C. 3.08.34
217 Noel Muckley. 3.08.37
218 Michael Flannery St. Nicks 3.08.40
219 Paul J. Carmody St. Johns 3.08.41
220 Donal J. Corcoran 3.09.00.
221 Patrick Greaney 3.09.05
222 John O'Grady St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.09.13
223 Terence F Smeaton North Ossory Harriers 3.09.16
224 Thomas M Rawley 3.09.18
225 Anthony F. O'Flynn 3.09.20
226 Stephen G Murphy Jnr. Leevale A.C. 3.09.28
227 Noel Bernard McHugh AIB 3.09.33
228 Anthony O'Leary 3.09.39
229 Philip Ryan 3.09.47
230 Tony Walsh Slaneyside 3.09.51
231 Patrick J O'Connor 3.09.52
232 Thomas N. Fitzpatrick Oisin 3.09.55
233 Patrrck G Coleman 3.10.20.
234 Francis Flanagan 3.10.45
235 Liam O Cooper Youghal 3.10.26
236 Rev. Michael O'Mahony 3.10.32
237 Eamonn M Mahony Kilkerrin 3.10.36
238 Colm G. Twohig Glounthaune 3.10.38
239 John F Moloney BetSe 3.10.58
240 Michael Walsh 3.11.11
241 John P O'Connell 3.11.13
242 John McGuinness 3.11.17
243 Adrian A Buggie 3.11.21
244 Timothy E Macey Waterford City. 3.11.23
245 Unofficial Entry
246 Richard McCarthy Ego 3.11.49
247 Liam M. O'Flynn Coachford AC 3.12.16
248 Leonard B. Harvey 3.12.16
249 Mary P. Hickey St. Benedicts. 3 12.17
250 Micael Doyle Templemore 3.12.27
251 No name
252 ZNicholas A. Crean 3.13.35
253 Philip Farrissey North Cork 3.12.38
254 Brian O'Neill 3.12.46
255 Dennis J Donovan London / Irish AC 3.12.57
256 Timothy Twomey Cork Road Runners 3.13.05
257 Patrick J Leddy North Leitrim AC 3.13.31
258 Dominic G. Devereux 3.13.36
259 Robert J Tansley 3.13.37
260 Vincent Ashton Shannon AC 3.13.50
261 Timothy P. Hinchey West Tipp Harriers 3.14.03
262 David P. Doyle North Cork A C 3.14.05
263 John P Brady Mallow 3.14.12
264 John J. Day Ringmahon Rangers 3.14.12
265 Frank M. Nash Redgate 3.14.26
266 Cornelius Traynor Kenmare 3.14.29
267 William Finuane 3.14.42
268 Patrick F. Smith North Sligo A.C 3.14.55
269 Eugene O'Callaghan 3.14.58
270 Andrew N McLeod 3.14.59
271 Gerard M Rigney Limerick Garda 3.14.59
272 Christopher C Creagh Mullingar Harriers 3.15.03
273 Anthony Linehan 3.15.05
274 Michael Guilfoyle 3.15.12
275 Mary E Doyle Slaneyside 3.15.20
276 Thomas M Fitzgerald Youghal A C. 3.15.23
277 Robert M. Curtin 3.15.28
278 Caleb Sheehan 3.15.44
279 Patrick G. Mackessy 3.15.46
280 Bartholomew S Whelan Cystic Fibrosis 3.15.47
281 George T. McAnaspie Blackrock 3.15.49
282 David N. Magnier Tralee 3.15.50
283 Hugh J. Ryan 3.15.51
284 Chris P O'Driscoll Cork Health Studio 3.15.52
285 Timothy Griffin Cork Regional College 3.16.10
286 Richard Abecassis 3.16.13
287 Paddy Quirke Croom A.C. 3.16.24
288 Tony Fahy Tuam A.C 3.16.32
289 Tom Ryan Riverstick 3.16.36
290 John Enright 3.16.47
291 Patrick J. Lynch 3.16.50
292 Peter M Devine Dublin City Harriers 3.16.52
293 John D. O'Callaghan Leevale A.C. 3.16.53
294 William J. Coveney Bandon Athletic 3.16.56
295 Kevin Kelly 3.16.59
296 Thomas J. Mullins 3.16.59
297 Joseph Murphy Eagle 3.17.01
298 George Dunne Gowran A.C. 3.17.04
299 Brigin McCabe Mullingar Harriers 3.17.05
300 Owen B. Stack St. Johns 3.17.14
301 John A Mullane 3.17.14
302 John F Moriarty 3.17.19
303 Michael Kelly 3.17.22
304 Michael V. O'Connell Team Adidas 3.17.15
305 Paudie O'Gorman 3.17.27
306 Joseph Laffan Reenavanna Harriers 3.17.36
307 Michael J Priest Bray Runners 3.17.52
308 Finbarr P. Buckley 3.18.24
309 Gerard Kilfeather North Sligo 3.18.30
310 Martin Patrick J. Kirwan Kilcoole 3.18.44
311 John Hassett 3.18.49
312 Mairtin Mac Nioclais 3.18.50
313 John O'Kelly Glounthaune 3.18.55
314 Timothy J. Buckley Our Lady's Hospital AC 3.18.58
315 James C Ellis 3.19.00
316 Maurice A O'Sullivan 3.19.00
317 Christopher J. Cashman Munster Joinery 3.19.02
318 William P O'Driscoll 3.19.04
319 William Ryan Tipperary Town A.C. 3.19.06
320 John Mulcahy 3.19.07
321 Thomas A Meehan Dungarvan A.C. 3.19.13
322 Robert D. Saville Civil Service AC 3.19.29
323 Patrick Hayden Civil Service 3.19.30
324 Frank M Shannon 3.19.37
325 Malachy J. Sharkey Omagh Harriers 3.19.40
326 Anthony M. Attridge 3.19.41
327 Thomas O Twomey Shannon 3.19.43
328 John Alexis Connery 3.19.45
329 Anthony J. Yelverton Super-Valu 3.19.45
330 David Keating 3.19.46
331 Sean P. Cahill Macroom A.C. 3.19.45
332 Thomas Mitchell Reenavanna Harriers 3.19.50
333 Mary B. Murphy Mallow 3.19.50
334 Henry Gallagher 3.19.56
335 Thomas Morgan Mullingar Harriers 3.19.57
336 John Burke 3.20.00
337 Thomas Oliver Kelly St. Abban's 3.20.21
338 Brendan Ahearne 3.20.28
339 Denis O'Leary 3.20.30
340 Patrick B Motyer Ballycotton AC 3.20.38
341 Colm F. Byrne Westport AC 3.20.44
342 Michael Noonan 3.20.52
343 James Dunnes Portlaoise A.C. 3.20.56
344 Garrett Patrick Barry Aer Lingus 3.21.09
345 Thomas J Mackey Kilmurry/Ibricane 3.21.20
346 Michael Harris Super-Valu 3.21.26
347 Nicholas W. Casey Dunhill 3.21.31
348 Kathleen Connors. 3.21.32
349 Daniel M McCarthy 3.21.31
350 Patrick Gill 3.21.46
351 Anthony V McNicholas Wang Laboratories 3.21.47
352 Cornelius F. Keppel North Cork 3.21.52
353 Michael A Carroll 3.22.00
354 Thomas Keane 3.22.07
355 Thomas V. McCormack 3.22.14
356 Patrick A O'Connor 3.22.17
357 John Noonan 3.22.17
358 Patrick Considine Shannon AC 3.22.38
359 John J. Hayes ZPremier 3.22.38
360 Paul Smith 3.22.48
361 Terence J. Brooks 3.22.51
362 Michael Hallissey 3.52.57
363 Patrick A Cunningham 3.22.57
364 Donal M O'Brien St. Nicholas A C. 3.22.59
365 Edward M. Noonan Super-Valu 3.23.00
366 Paul T. Donovan 3.23.01
367 James A O'Sullivan Jacobs Harriers 3.23.01
368 Patrick C. Fahy 3.23.02
369 Barry Rafter 3.23.04
370 Simon Butler Castlewerren 3.23.07
371 James H. McSweeney Leevale A.C. 3.23.12
372 Liam P Keegan 3.23.15
373 Robert A Noone Wang A.C 3.23.25
374 Gerard S Barrett 3.23 29
375 David J. Condon 3.23.32
376 David P. Wade Tramore AC 3.23.55
377 Michael McCarthy 3.23 55
378 Peter J. Sargent St. Columba's Douglas 3.23.56
379 Michael Lucey 3.24.04
380 Declan J. McGrath Clonmel A.C. 3.24.13
381 David J O'Donoghue 3.24.20
382 Normal S. Dungan CIYMS 3.24.35
383 Michael O'Neill 3.24.36
384 Francis G. Higgins North Cork AC 3.24.37
385 Anthony O'Donovan Cork City RR 3.24.41
386 Brendan M. O'Brien 3.24.42
387 Tommy A Gately 3.25.01
388 Noel Boyle 3.25.03
389 William R Frayne 3.25.13
390 Larry Roe 3.25.17
391 John C. Sheehan 3.25.29
392 Sean Fogarty Templemore 3.25.40
393 Maurice Tobin 3.25.53
394 Frank Cheatle 3.25.56
395 Charles B McAlinden 3.25.58
396 Eugene M. O'Doherty 3.26.01
397 Frank Norgere 3.26.01
398 Brogan Whittle Tullamore Harriers 3.26.02
399 Liam Treacy 3.26.04
400 Sean O'Reilly Liffey Valley 3.26.21
401 Thomas G. Crowley Collins Squash 3.26.26
402 Eamonn J. Hartmann Cavan 3.26.32
403 Declan W. Doyle Jacobs 3.26.33
404 Lucy Quinn Super-Valu 3.26.38
405 Francis J. O'Gorman 3.26.41
406 Daniel P. O'Shea 3.26.42
407 Ger Kiely Mallow RR 3.26.42
408 Stephen J. McNeill Bank of Ireland 3.26.42
409 John Allman 3.26.44
410 Pierce Dillon CEPAC 3.26.45
411 Denis Hegarty 3.27.03
412 Paul J. Dooley 3.27.07
413 Derry Canty 3.27.21
414 Aidan Buckley 3.27.25
415 George L. O'Flynn 3.27.27
416 Fr. Patrick Hennessy 3.27.27
417 Donal P. Kelly 3.27.31
418 Noel Guerin 3.27.23
419 John Daly 3.27.37
420 Molua P. Donohoe 3.27.40
421 Patrick J Finn Telecom Eireann 3.27.41
422 Denis J. Condon Super-Valu 3.27.44
423 Patrick C. Sheehan 3.27.45
424 Gerard M. Twomey 3.27.46
425 Gerard P. Goodwin St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.27.46
426 James Butler Super-Valu 3.27.47
427 Thomas Busteed 3.27.53
428 Marti Quinn Super-Valu 3.27.57
429 Thomas J. Sherlock Jacobs 3.28.08
430 Cornelius Collins 3.28.11
431 Eamonn A Murphy 3.28.20
432 John F. Page 3.28.24
433 Pauline J Macey Waterford City 3.28.32
434 Philip Murphy 3.28.34
435 Thomas O'Donoghue Dungarvan A.C. 3.28.38
436 Anthony Doyle 3.28.51
437 Brendan M Torsney 3.28.57
438 Barry W. Doyle 3.29.06
439 Patrick Gleeson 3.29.08
440 James P Clarke 3.29.16
441 Gerard T. Carroll 3.29.28
442 Michael Power Tramore 3.29.34
443 John J. Dunne Derryaghy R.C 3.29.43
444 Michael O'Donoghue 3.29.44
445 James P. O'Brien 3.29.47
446 Patrick J. Carter 3.29.47
447 Eunan Devenney Finnvalley AC. 3.29.48
448 Paul Keating 3.29.49
449 Paddy J O'Driscoll 3.29.53
450 John A Buckley Mallow Road Runners 3.29.58
451 Sean D. Bregazzi 3.30.01
452 Bartholomew O'Sullivan St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.30.07
453 Bernard Sisk 3.30.10
454 William Doran Croom 3.30.17
455 Timothy J. Slevin 3.30.19
456 Tom Ryan 3.30.19
457 Michael Morgan Beamish and Crawford 3.30.21
458 Denis Lingwood 3.30.25
459 Conor P. O'Riordan 3.30.28
460 Gerald McAleer 3.30.31
461 Tom Houlihan Midleton 3.30.36
462 Paul Manley 3.30.37
463 Noel O'Keeffe Super-Valu 3.30.44
464 Kieran Kelly 3.30.51
465 Denis O'Flynn Super-Valu 3.30.55
466 John Cotter 3.31.10
467 Sean A McMahon 3.31.13
468 Michael Frayne 3.31.37
469 Tom Finn 3.31.38
470 Gerard M. Meehan 3.31.44
471 Jeremiah C. Foley 3.31.50
472 Pat Callender Dungarvan 3.31.53
473 Anthony O. Huff 3.32.05
474 Denis Ryan Cork County Cricket 3.32.10
475 Edmond Ronan Mallow Road Runners 3.32.16
476 Patrick Patterson 3.32.20
477 Gerard Murphy 3.32.25
478 Tony Barnaville 3.32.26
479 Eamonn Browne Super-Valu 3.32.30
480 June Comiskey Clontarf Coasters 3.32.38.
481 Patrick Fagan 3.32:41
482 Denis B. Mullins 3.32.44
483 Sean O'Donnell 3.32.48
484 William J. Richardson 3.32.52
485 Patrick E. Kiely 3.32.53
486 Jeremiah J. Stout 3.32.57
487 Niall Marron 3.33.16
488 Timothy Griffin Inniscarra 3.33.22
489 Tim Geary 3.33.26
490 Donald M. O'Rourke Clayton Le Moors 3.33.30
491 Frank J. O'Neill 3.33.36
492 John O'Neill Krups AC. 3.33.41
493 Liam Cadogan Coffs Harbour NSW 3.33.44
494 Martin O'Quinn Nenagh 3.33.48
495 Patrick J. Nelligan Our Lady's Hospital AC 3.33.49
496 James R. Rice 3.33.51
497 Robert Andrew Cork R.R 3.33.52
498 Andrew J Irving 3.33.53
499 Gerard J. Mooney 3.33.53
500 Christopher White 3.33.55
501 Paul O'Donoghue St Johns Ambulance 3.34.01
502 Raymond C. Hinna L. C. Swissasir 3.34.04
503 Colin J. Deasy Coventry Harriers 3.34.19
504 Marcel Hungerbuhler Ski Club Swissair 3.34.22
505 Austin Callanan 3.34.33
506 Patrick Long 3.34.34
507 Michael Ahern 3.34.49
508 Patrick M Kelly 3.35.54
509 James Sargent Dublin Fire Brigade 3.35.07
510 Michael Ronan 3.35.14
511 John J. Kennedy 3.35.17
512 Paul J. Faye 3.35.24
513 Cormac C. Gannon 3.35.31
514 Owen O'Sullivan 3.35.33
515 Mick Quinlan Leevale A.C. 3.35.36
516 Patrick Mahon 3.35.45
517 Martin J Kenny Bord Telecom 3.35.49
518 James Scott 3.35.53
519 John Thornhill 3.35.58
520 Raymond O'Sullivan UCD 3.36.19.
521 Dermot Lynch 3.36.23
522 Patrick Cronin 3.36.33
523 Frank A Meaney 3.36.45
524 David N. Boyd 3.36.51
525 Liam Clancy 3.36.54
526 Eamon Harold 3.37.09
527 Brendan T. Warner 3.37.11
528 Roy Crowley St. John Ambulance 3.37.12
529 Oliver O'Mahony 3.37.24
530 Patrick O'Halloran 3.37.40
531 Willie Webb 3.37.49
532 Laurence G. McDonald Portlaoise AC 3.37.51
533 Patrick Cullen 3.37.52
534 John M. Murphy Cork County Council 3.38.06
535 Martin Byrne 3.38.15
536 John J. Smith 3.38.24
537 John Howes 3.38.25
538 Ed. C. Conway 3.38.27
539 David R. Murphy 3.38.33
540 Ronnie Fitzell 3.38.37
541 James C. Pettit North Cork 3.38.42
542 Carey Thornhill 3.38.54
543 Edward Lynch 3.39.06
544 Kevin A Madden 3.39.19
545 Patrick J. Murphy 3.39.22
546 Michael McCarthy Donoughmore AC 3.39.26
547 Denis Cronin Tralee Jogging 3.39.26
548 Gerard P. Lee Tralee Jogging 3.39.29
549 Denis J. Dennehy Tralee Jogging Club 3.39.38
550 Patrick M. McCarthy 3.39.41
551 Denis G. O'Connor Lough Gur AC 3.39.51
552 William Burke 3.39.52
553 Bernard P Geraghty 3.39.57
554 Marcus G. Nash Garda 3.40.04
555 Robert J. Warren 3.40.05
556 Alan Cassidy Super-Valu 3.40.05
557 John J. O'Reilly 3.40.07
558 Thomas Ryan 3.40.08
559 Carmel E. Lynch Leevale A.C. 3.40.10
560 Patrick O'Meara Glounthaune 3.40.21
561 Brian D. Hensey 3.40.26
562 Patrick O'Callaghan St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.40.36
563 Gerard T. Thompson 3.40.46
564 Patrick D. Arrigan 3.40.47
565 Thomas F. O'Hanlon 3.40.51
566 William G. Farrell 3.41.01
567 Daniel Linehan Cystic Fibrosis 3.41.03
568 Maurice Kearney Dungarvan 3.41.03
569 Michael M O'Keeffe 3.41.35
570 Eamonn Dwane 3.41.37
571 Patrick A Daly 3.41.47
572 Vincent Frimley 3.41.47
573 Unofficial Entry
574 Diane M. Stack St. Johns 3.42.08
575 Michael K. Colclough 3.42.14
576 Alexander R. O'Neill 3.42.21
577 Leo J O'Mahony 3.42.23
578 Andrew F. Williams 3.42.30
579 John Healy 3.42.45
580 Patrick Buckley St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.42.52
581 Aidan P Meehan 3.42.57
582 Unofficial Entry
583 Michael G. Murphy 3.42.10
584 Noel Guerin 3.43.36
585 John Hallissey Our Lady's Hospital AC 3.43.38
586 Paul O. Woodley 3.44.01
587 Neil O'Keeffe 3.44.14
588 Denis M. O'Sullivan 3.44.36
589 Edmond G Twomey 3.44.40
590 Frank Stankard 3.44.41
591 Nicholas Hughes 3.44.41
592 Michael P. Convey 3.44.45
593 John Canty 3.44.47
594 Brendan W. Tynan 3.44.53
595 David A Bain 3.44.55
596 David R Walsh 3.45.03
597 Patrick Hynes 3.45.05
598 John Hegarty 3.45.06
599 Unofficial Entry
600 John P Kenna 3.45.10
601 Michael Bowe 3.45.13
602 Stephen O'Connor 3.45.30
603 Michael Riordan 3.45.35
604 Michael McGee 3.45.42
605 Patrick P. O'Leary 3.45.43
606 Gerard J. Rasmussen 3.45.44
607 Thomas Salter Tipperary Town A.C. 3.45.52
609 Allan J. Patterson St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.46.01
609 Richard M. O'Meara St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.46.05
610 Mark A Daly 3.46.05
611 Jerry B. Cotter. Super-Valu 3.46.19
612 John Martin 3.46.25
613 Paul Reidy Super-Valu 3.46.25
614 Joan A Griffin 3.46.27
615 David P. Allen 3.46.38
616 Sean O'Neill Clonliffe 3.46.42
617 Patrick J. Timmons Kilmore 3.46.42
618 Ciaran T. Byrne 3.46.44
619 Aidan Warner 3.46.51
620 Thomas Murtagh 3.46.55
621 John O. Twohig Cork RTC 3.47.10
622 Willie F. Henry Dungarvan A.C. 3.47.11
623 Cyril P. McHale 3.47.17
624 Thomas A Scannell 3.47.17
625 Gregory P. Duff Shannon 3.47.17
626 James A Neville Shannon 3.47.20
627 Noel T. Spellacy Limerick A.C. 3.47.20
628 Gerard Gallagher 3.47.30
629 Michael A Groves 3.47.30
630 Philip Long 3.47.35
631 Clement J Mahon 3.47.41
632 Peter J. Fenlon 3.47.45
633 Patrick Ronan Rathnew 3.47.59
634 Bernard P. O'Keeffe 3.48.01
635 Richard F. O'Brien 3.48.07
636 John Galvin 3.48.08
637 James J. Barry 3.48.08
638 Sean M. Walsh 3.48.15
639 James C. Cotter 3.48.22
640 Noel J. O'Meara 3.48.22
641 Senan Flanagan 3.48.27
642 Morgan R. Keane 3.48.49
643 Matthew J. Lynch 3.48.53
644 James M. Sexton 3.48.54
645 Finbar P. Harty Super-Valu 3.48.55
646 Leonard Coote 3.49.04
647 John Kelly 3.47.07
648 Charles O'Neill 3.49.18
649 Michael P. Ryan 3.49.08
650 Michael O'Donoghue 3.49.11
651 Gerard M Fitzpatrick 3.49.12
652 Cyril Chaney 3.49.21
653 Seamus McCarthy 3.49.21
654 James Sweeney 3.49.23
655 Edward C. Phelan 3.49.28
656 John Collins 3.49.29
657 Michael F. Manahan 3.49.31
658 Kevin P. O'Reilly 3.49.45
659 Maurice H. Mullins Raheny 3.49.46
660 James J. Tobin 3.49.58
661 Michael G. Sheehan Wang A.C 3.49.59
662 Vivian P. O'Gorman 3.50.02
663 Michael J. Curtin 3.50.18
664 Fergal T. Collins Bishopstown AC 3.50.19
665 Denis J. Kenny St. Benedicts 3.50.20
666 Philomena Dunne K.S.S. 3.50.23
667 Mary G. Doherty Kilkenny City 3.50.27
668 Michael B. Taylor 3.50.31
669 Matthew J. Kavanagh 3.50.39
670 Carmel M. Hughes 3.50.45
671 Richard O. Sisk 3.51.13
672 John B. Alexander 3.51.18
673 Tony F. Brady 3.51.21
674 James Cummins 3.51.21
675 Robert L. Mulcahy 3.51.23
676 Patrick J. Hennessy Tramore 3.51.23
677 Michael J. Furlong 3.51.51
678 Geraldine F. Hurley Leevale A.C. 3.51.51
679 Michael J. McCarthy 3.51.54
680 Michael J. Smyth 3.52.07
681 Michael W. Boland Portlaoise 3.52.08
682 Joseph P. Doyle 3.52.09
683 Neil G. Daly 3.52.14
684 Derek P. O'Carroll 3.52.15
685 Dermot M. O'Dwyer 3.52.32
686 Noel Walsh 3.52.43
687 Joseph M. Mulligan 3.52.44
688 Michael Ahern 3.52.44
689 Declan C. Battigan 3.52.45
690 Philip P. Dundon Donnybrook 3.52.48
691 Noel P. Henry Clonliffe Harriers 3.52.51
692 William. A Ahern 3.52.53
693 Peter J. McDonnell 3.52.54
694 Patrick Kavanagh 3.53.16
695 Joseph Kinsella Super-Valu 3.53.18
696 Donal O'Mahony 3.53.19
697 David O'Mahony Youghal Carpets 3.53.26
698 P. J. Minehane 3.53.22
699 Michael J. Timmons 3.53.23
700 Thomas G. Considine 3.53.24.
701 Maurice G. Lyons West Limerick A.C 3.53.25
702 Danny J. Kelleher 3.53.25
703 Brendan M. Benson Slaneyside 3.53.31
704 Anthony D. O'Brien 3.53.36
705 Herbert Crosset Ballinascreen AC. 3.53.38
706 Beda J. Merity 3.53.50
707 John Meehan Kilkerrin AC. 3.54.06
708 Tim Murray Cystic Fibrosis 3.54.12
709 Gerard T. Delaney 3.54.12
710 Denis E. O'Sullivan 3.54.29
711 Patrick 0'Donoghue 3.54.33
712 Patrick H. McSweeney 3.55.02
713 Karen McNamara 3.55.21
714 Derry Hipwell 3.55.22
715 Michel P. Finnegan 3.55.31
716 Michael Kelleher C.M.P. A.C. 3.55.35
717 Michel McCormack C.M.P. A.C. 3.55.57
718 Martin E. Padwick C.M.P. A.C. 3.55.52
719 Patrick G. McCarthy C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.06
720 Thomas M. Walsh C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.08
721 Christopher A. O'Keeffe C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.10
722 Dermot Couch C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.11
723 Jerry Leahy C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.24
724 Kenneth Walsh C.M.P. A.C. 3.56.28
725 Bill Leahy 3.56.35
726 John D. Keane Super-Valu 3.56.35
727 James F. Kilbride 3.56.36
728 Joseph O. Hogan Mahon Comm. Dev. Gr. 3.56.36
729 Paul Beechinor 3.56.36
730 Edward Hogan Croom A.C. 3.56.37
731 Paddy Ryan 3.56.37
732 Michael A Lucey 3.56.37
733 Noel Harrington 3.56.38
734 Padraig P. Brennan 3.56.38
735 James Hayes Elanco 3.56.38
736 Donal J. Spillane 3.56.39
737 Willie Duffy 3.56.39
738 Humphrey J. Kerins St. Finbarrs A.C. 3.56.40
739 Luke G. Cody 3.56.40
740 John Baldwin 3.56.41
741 William Mullane Mallow AC 3.56.44
742 Patrick J. Butler 3.56.45
743 Charles McAllister 3.56.47
744 George A Lye Waterford Glass 3.56.50
745 Noel A Raleigh 3.56.54
746 Maurice J. Costello Aer Lingus 3.56.56
747 Bill Pittaway Irish Steel 3.37.06
748 Sheamus McDermot Slaneyside 3.57.16
749 Patrick G. O'Connor 3.57.19
750 Raymond G. Shanahan Cork Airport 3.57.21
751 Sylvester Malone 3.57.22
752 Tony Murphy St. John Ambulance 3.57.23
753 Eamonn Joyce Super-Valu 3.57.23
754 Kevin O'Connor F.G.A 3.57.34
755 John P. O'Shea 3.57.36
756 Maurice C. Hayes Tralee Jogging 3.37.51
757 Matthew D. Murphy Oisin AC. 3.57.59
758 John J. Cotter 3.57.59
759 John Downey 3.39.01
760 Con Slattery Super-Valu 3.58.06
761 Alan J. Graham 3.58.09
762 Tom Barry 3.58.16
763 Eoin F. O'Connell 3.58.17
764 Michael McGrath 3.58.36
765 Edward Lynch 3.58.31
766 Con O'Donovan Cork R.R. 3.58.43
767 Terence Kiely 3.58.43
768 Denis Slocum 3.58.45
769 Vincent Allen 3.58.49
770 Patrick Griffin 3.58.53
771 Conor F. McNeice 3.58.54
772 Dominic Tomas 3.58.54
773 Sean A Ahern 3.58.55
774 Michael B. Peelo 3.58.59
775 Thomas A Griffith 3.59.05
776 Vere Ludgate 3.59.07
777 John Hirst 3.59.09
778 David Martin 3.59.17
779 Patrick G. Coughlan 3.59.27
780 Padraigh I. O'Siochain Doheny 3.59.29
781 Martin J. McLoughlin 3.59.18
782 Sean G. Mac Suibhne 3.59.33
783 John P. O'Riordan Cystic Fibrosis R.R. 3.59.52
784 Sean A Healy 3.59.59
785 James A Heaton Queens Park Harriers 3.59.59
786 Michael P. Clancy Eagle 4.00.26
787 Anthony Coughlan Fermoy District Harriers 4.00.39
788 Liam M. O'Flynn Coachford AC 4.00.41
789 Patrick O'Rourke 4.00.47
790 Stephen O'Halloran 4.01.06
791 Michael O'Brien Super-Valu 4.01.08
792 Julia P. Casey Our Lady's Hospital AC 4.01.09
793 John A. Quirke 4.01.16
794 John G. Hegarty Super-Valu 4.01.19
795 Jeremiah J. Casey Iniscarra A.C. 4.01.24
796 Denis Dalton 4.01.42
797 Patrick Couch C.M.P. A.C. 4.01.43
798 Timothy Burke 4.01.54
799 John J. Nolan 4.02.01
800 Liam J. Fortune 4.02.06.
3) This is as far as I know the photo from the back of 1984 Marathon Magazine annual. Eamonn Coughlan was on the front...
Comment left on previous post...
"The Lady in Red !!! is Lucy O Donoghue who as far as I can recollect was more or less the poster girl for that Marathon as I think Adidas had a training built around her to show that anyone could run a Marathon on a reasonable easy structured training programme and thinking back she did run a fairly good time, Michael O Connell was the MD of Adidas at that time, he put a lot of work into the race and I am sure ran in it as well, Lucy also had a sister Ida who was a runner . JM "
4) Michael O'Connell was the head of Adidas in Ireland at the time and they were based on the Tramore Road in Cork City. The company sponsored virtually every road race in Cork at that time. Michael is now on the Cork City Sports committee.
5) Excerpt from the Irish Runner magazine at the time...
Managed to finish 2 places behind John Walshe.Very happy indeed
ReplyDeletewhat a great story and great article John. Thanks for posting. I am guessing it has been a long time since anyone has run near 2:14 in the cork marathon?-Paul D
ReplyDeleteTwo points to note - 1st fifteen inside 2hrs 30mins and the total field of 800 runners inside 4hrs 03mins.
ReplyDeleteWell-written article that brings back great memories of the golden era of Irish marathon running. Amazing that we've never been able to reproduce that level of talent - even with some of the leading runners of the time coaching marathon runners today.
ReplyDeleteGreat article John.Can I just ask how marathon courses were measured back then?Im not saying they were short but were they measured as accurately as today.Im sure Garmins weren't around then
ReplyDeleteAt a quick glance at the results, sadly at least eleven of the finishers are no longer with us RIP., but also at least thirteen others and maybe more are still active on the road. JM
ReplyDeleteMy Dad ran that year he came 83rd just behind Christine Kennedy 2nd lady. He still runs today. Always remember that story growing up as a kid. Great article . Are there any archives with photos of that marathon? Vanessa.
ReplyDeleteGreat Article John.Is it ok that I repost the article on Irish Athletics History facebook page with a news report from RTE.My father Joe Laffan ran that day along with many friends.There was a great Irish running community and I remember attending many races around the country.The Cork to Cobh was a good one too along with many more.I hope your well.The blog is excellent.well done.
ReplyDeleteWork away Seoirse, just credit John Walshe as the author and you might put in a link back to the blog post as well. ...John Desmond
ReplyDeleteGreat article John. I'm the son of the organizer Michael O'Connell of Adidas. I go by the same name. Brings back all those memories from when I was a kid.
ReplyDelete