Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Cork City Marathon of 1984...by John Walshe

Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Cork City Marathon of 1984...by John Walshe

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...


10 comments:

Haille said...

Managed to finish 2 places behind John Walshe.Very happy indeed

Anonymous said...

what 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

W O'R said...

Two points to note - 1st fifteen inside 2hrs 30mins and the total field of 800 runners inside 4hrs 03mins.

Anonymous said...

Well-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.

Anonymous said...

Great 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

Anonymous said...

At 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

Anonymous said...

My 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.

Seoirse Laffan said...

Great 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.

John Desmond said...

Work 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

Unknown said...

Great 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.