Winner Men’s - Mark Dempsey – in a time of 47:51, 2^nd Ruaudhri Geraghty 48.58, 3^rd Eamonn Horgan 49.39.Female – Ailbhe Healy – 57.08, 2^nd Eimear Connery 59.05, 3^rd Catherine Keoghane  59.12 A big turn out and even “Bigger” sunny weather greeted us for the 3^rd and final race of the Limerick Duathlon series……with “Marks”Dowling and Dempsey, Ruaudhri Geraghty, Stephen Teeling Lynch, Eamonn Horgan  and Niall Collins all in contention for places in the overall series, it was set to be a cracker of a race. In the ladies field Ailbhe Healy and Catherine Keoghane were there to battle it out for the title. Marie Casey-Breen and Catherine Corby and Ger Le Gear were all there to challenge for the Female Vets race and in the men’s there was just as much competition but without Liam Butler on the day, who had enough done on the previous 2 races to take 2^nd vet overall for the series behind Peter Heaney (Cork) with Joe Sunders (Limerick) taking the other vet series spot.  The usual suspects lurked about transition before the race, asking Willie Carey what splits were required to break the course record (47.28) and to try and claim the additional €100 bounty. Right throughout transition there was a lot of tired bodies around transition from road racing, cycle races and training camps the previous day and week, so it would be a case for many of “put the boot down early and hope the wheels stay on the wagon!” .

 John Cunniffe’s “RED TAG TIMING” was on hand once again with their new timing chip system in full operational mode.  The race started with the usual flying start down the hill out to the main road and Horgan trying to do his usual shake-off of people on the run. But, with tired legs from his 10km and PB triumph the previous day he couldn’t get the safety distance from Dempsey he needed who’s race plan for the day was evident by the heavy breathing on the run- “Work hard and hold the front runners on RUN 1 and get on the bike course and put the hammer down right at the start” …..and it worked a treat on the day by posting the fastest plit of the day. Horgan and Dempsey were 1-2 into transition with Dempsey out first. Geraghty, Michael Lyons, Dowling, Lynch, Collins, Brendan Lyons and Darragh Dolan were hot on their heals out on the bike. Out of T1 Dempsey pulled away from Horgan who couldn’t respond and Geraghty and Dowling assumed 2nd and third by the turn around behind Dempsey who had a good lead. Stephen Teeling lynch had another powerful bike and put himself into 4^th place into T2. Dowling and Geraghty exchanged places on the bike and run and Horgan chased hard to catch Dowling on the final run leg, but tiring horgan and Dowling could only race each other for third with Geraghty too far ahead on the final run behind Dempsey. Stephen T-Lynch took 5^th overall with his trademark strong bike and Niall Collins put in a steady bike and saved energy for a fast final run to take 6^th overall, overtaking a good few on the last leg, which was testament so some clever training over in Italy there last week.   In the ladies race it was to be a much closer event right down the positions with only seconds separating 2^nd-5^th. Ailbhe was in control for the whole day and had a good lead in T1 over Catherine Keoghane. Ailbhe had a bit of bike trouble with loose tribars on the way home but held her lead and out in a strong 2^nd run to come home 1^st in the ladies and for the series. Catherine had a battle on her hands with Cork Tri’s Eimear Connery who put in a good cycle which would hold off Catherine on the run to take 2^nd on the day, but only by 7 seconds. Fiona Meade was to take 4^th in the ladies again only 7 seconds behind Catherine. Down in the Vets , experienced and rested Ger Le Gear cruised into 1^st place on the day with the battle for 2^nd fighting friendly but fierce between Catherine Corby and Marie Casey-Breen – it was to be Catherine’s day who did enough on the bike to build up a good enough lead over Marie. Marie took the overall series title with Catherine in second but both took some great experience from the series and each found a new “friendly triathlon rival” - Sure isn’t that what it’s all about! Mary Lyng had another strong race and took third in the overall series – Well done Mary.   The 2 juniors, Brendan Lyons and Jeni O’Regan had great races with Brendan giving the seniors a real battle up at the front of the field, coming home in 11^th overall. Graham Butler took the series title after winning the first 2 events with Jeni taking the female junior prize.  The heat on the day took many by surprise and the efforts of the Limerick Plassey 10km also took its toll on many of the LTC competitors but all were delighted they took part.  

In the men’s overall series it was Mark Dempsey who took 1^st overall with his 1^st position in the first race, 4^th in the second and 1^st again in last series – so finishing on 2 points for his best 2/3. Ruaudhri Geraghty from Galway maintained his steady form on the day and with another 2^nd finish took 2^nd overall for the series. Mark Dowling with 5 pts (1^st, and a 4^th) just piped Eamonn for third with 6pts (2 thirds).  And finally huge thanks again to all the staff at St Enda’s, Marshals, Time keepers and helpers who turned up on the day to help out – without their help the races would not take place! Thanks lads and lassies – we really appreciated your help!