TWO new names were added to the winners of the Noreen McCarthy Memorial 10-mile race at Skibbereen, which took place in spring-like conditions.

BY JOHN WALSHE

Over a tough undulating lap that started and finished at O’Donovan Rossa GAA grounds, Jonathan Perrott from Brinny, outside Innishannon, was as surprised as everyone else to come home a clear winner in a time of 59:47, the only runner this year to break the one-hour barrier.

‘No, I didn’t expect that at all, it’s the first race I’ve won,’ admitted the 37-year-old. ‘I’ve been running for around ten years, before that I was into rugby and soccer. I’m not with a club, I just tip away myself but I receive some online coaching from Gary O’Hanlon. He’s a super runner so I owe a lot to him.’

Julie O’Brien, female winner of the 10-mile race, receiving the McSweeney Family Memorial Cup from Declan Coakley. (Photo: John Walshe)

Perrott led all the way and was well ahead of Mark Kelly from Bandon who finished second in 63:30 with Ivan Sweetman from Dunmanway taking third in 63:46.

After finishing second last year, Julie O’Brien from the Durrus club went one better this time to take overall female honours in a time of 64:13. Second was Linda O’Sullivan (Watergrasshill) in 70:07 with Shona-Brid O’Sullivan (Courcey) third in 72:41.

Olivia and Jennifer Collins with Kate Barry, all from Caheragh, at the Noreen McCarthy Memorial Road Races. (Photo: Anne Minihane)

‘I’ve finished third and second here, but have never won it,’ said a delighted O’Brien. ‘I’m hoping now to do the half-marathon in Killarney in May and then the Dublin Marathon in October.’

Having run 3:02 in the capital last autumn, no doubt a sub-3:00 will be her main aim this time around.

Over the shorter five-mile distance, a clear winner was Micheal Dullea from the promoting Skibbereen club. Again, like Perrott in the longer race, he led from the gun and as an extra bonus his time of 26:39 knocked 31 seconds off of the previous best set by Killian Lynch from West Limerick in 2022.

Jonathan Perrott, winner of the 10-mile race, receiving the Noreen McCarthy Memorial Cup from Kate McCarthy (and baby Óige). (Photo: John Walshe)

But the win meant much more to the farmer from Deelish, near Drimoleague, as he explained: ‘This is probably the most personal race I do in the year as I have huge respect for John McCarthy and his late wife Noreen would have been a neighbour of mine.

‘I ran the first mile very quickly, that was the plan to open up a gap and I held on to it all the way. Next week I’m going to the All-Ireland Masters in Abbotstown which is slightly new territory for me, but I want to do it for experience and see what comes out of it.’

With two second places in the M45 category at both Cork and Munster level, Dullea is eagerly looking forward to the next winter season as he moves up to a new age-group when turning 50 in August.

Eve and Annie O'Donovan with Kayla McKennedy, Caheragh.

Second in the five-mile was Justin Ryan in 27:20 with Patrick O’Driscoll taking third in 27:58.

Hazel White won the women’s race in 33:36 with former international rower Orla Hayes second in 33:45 and third place going to Ellen McCarthy in 34:20.

Again the organisation was first-class with the winding route well stewarded and brilliant facilities available at the O’Donovan Rossa GAA complex where the ample refreshments were much appreciated by all participants.

The Palliative Care Service at Skibbereen Community Hospital and St Patrick’s BNS Classes for Children with Autism were this year’s race beneficiaries.