This years Lough Neagh triathlon provided the National Olympic distance Championships for all competitors to make a claim for national glory. All competitors were treated to a hair raising start as 450+ competitors all lined up together in deep water swim start.

In the women’s events Annemarie Gaynor narrowly missed out on a category medal but no doubt this will change as Annemarie is continuing to make great strides. Mary Laverty continued her excellent form this season by claiming 3rd in her category. Celine continued with her patient build up to this years world championship’s in Hamburg.

The remaining 11 Male Setanta athletes battled against the elements to bring home two more category medals on the day with Johnny and Gerry Mc Cabe once again dispelling the notion of age but perhaps the master of this theory is Declan who just narrowly missed out on his out piece of metal. The speed demon on the “rothar” was put to the sword as Liam Dolan’s race was hindered by a thorny issue on the final 2k of the bike but not to deter him he still managed to take 12th fastest bike and 17th overall. Robert Kinahan had a very consistent race and was quite pleased with making the 2hr 20 target set by himself.

Strangely enough the next crew home for setanta are all ex GAA/Rugby players plying their trade so Messers Niall Mc Cabe(Gaels), Ronan Greene (Clan's), Niall Casey (Dundalk RFC), Brian Cafferty, Ruaidhri Stewart and Niall Carroll (Geraldine’s). The conditions would have suited these guys as it was driving rain for the complete 40k on the bike with a light drizzle for the run. All those who competed would just like to thank the Club supporters who travelled once again in high numbers to cheer all on as best they could as it is not the most pain free sport it’s always nice to have somebody on the roadside to give that extra push when needed.