THE club's strength in depth in road running was underlined yesterday at the National Half marathon championships which was hosted by St. Abban's AC in Crettyard, County Laois.

The senior men's team struck gold and by virtue of the win qualifies to represent the club at the European Half marathons championships; the senior women's team were second as were the men's masters team while the women's masters team were victorious.

There were also individual medals for Mick Clohisey, Mick Traynor, Lorraine Manning, Helena Corcoran and Bernie Manley.

The race was staged over a tough two lap course. Right from the gun Mick Clohisey and Cillian O'Leary, a former winner of the individual title, were in the lead group alongside Joe McAlister from Belfast.

The eventual winner Andrew Ledwith didn't make his move until late in the race but Mick Clohisey edged out long time leader McAlister to take the individual silver in 69:51. Cillian O'Leary was 4th in 70:30 while Mick Traynor was a magnificent 5th to seal a memorable team win for the Shamrock's with the latter also winning the individual.

In the women's race the defending title holder Maria McCambridge again took the gold.  Lorraine Manning finished third and 50th overall in 83:04 and along with Ann Marie Hickey 88:21 and Lorraine Byrne 93:14 the team took the silver medal.

The women's masters' team went one better landing the gold.  Led home by Helena Corcoran in a pb of  96:55; followed by Bernie Manley - pb of 97:57 and Nora Moore (99:07) the girls took the gold while Helena and Bernie both won silver medals in their individual categories.

Damien Martin (77:19) led home the men's masters team and along with Ronan Walsh (86:56) and Paul Conroy (98:59) they finished second.

Other notable performances included Frank Mangan (16th) 74:51; Cormac Delahunty (17th), Ian Walsh (23rd) 76:42 74:56; Simon Reede (29th) 77:58; Niamh Garvey 96:05; Dave Brady 98:19; Ciaran O Coigligh 101:13; Bride McHugh 102:42; Eddie Collins 103:17; Frank McCarthy 105:17 and Ray McCormack 108:37.