Hell of the West 2024
Kilkee ‘Hell of the West’ once again lived up to its reputation – you never quite know what you are going to get in June on the Loop Head peninsula. Athletes had traveled from near and far for this legendary National Series race, with some even having been to see Taylor Swift the night before in Dublin!
A misty but calm start to the 1500M swim, the athletes were in 2 waves starts, with the women and relays having 20 min start on the Men’s field.
The first swimmer out of the water was Limerick’s Deirdre Kearney (22:30), setting her relay team up for a great start. In the ladies race Piranha TC’s Claire Diffley (22:42) led with Anna Feenan (22:59) second and the Limerick trio of Kathryn Fahy, Jade Murphy and Murna Griffin O’Malley next. A super fast T1 had Kathryn first onto the 46km bike route out towards Loop Head, an exposed peninsula, with the mist giving way to drizzle, the winds picked up coming from an unusual North East direction making it was harder work on the way home. Kathryn was first back in 1:22, and had a good lead over the chase pack, with strong bike legs from Maura Barry (Cork TC), Roisin Kelleher (Limerick TC) and Shona Keane (Limerick TC) – it would come down to the run. Kathyrn Fahy held her lead and took the tape here for the first time. This was more than a race on the day, it was personal. Limerick TC members were racing for the Lynne Algar Memorial Cup, as a friend of Lynne’s Kathyrn gave her all to win this award. An emotional Kathryn was greeted on the finish line by Lynne’s Mom Angela and sister Jenny.
In her first Kilkee, Roisin Kelleher ran her way in second place, for her latest NS podium, with a delighted Maura Barry (Cork TC) taking 3rd. All three ladies, as it happens,are from Cork.
In the Men’s race, fast swimming from the day’s youngest man 18 year old Ryan Ates (South Coast TC) 21:37, followed by Anthony Creed (Cork TC) and Ronan Costelloe (Limerick TC). The cycle route again played to the many strong bikers in the field, with the days fastest splits coming from Donnacha Keily (Cork TC) in 1:11, Martin Divilly (Galway TC) and Donal Mongey (Naas TC) making up the swim defficits. Onto the run Donacha and Ronan were neck and neck with Edwin Sutton (Kinsale TC) and Donal in pursuit. Ed Sutton put in a 37:41 for the tough hilly and windy 10km run, but the fastest feet of the day went ro Donal Mongey (Naas TC) whose 36:16 ran him onto the podium. It finished Donnacha Kiely ( Cork TC) in first, Donal Mongey (Naas TC) in second and Ronan Costelloe (Limerick TC) in third.
Full individual results here
There were some strong relay teams on the day, with the team from West Clare TC (Sean Keane, Robin Boigs and Conor Madigan) taking the win in 2:18:22.
In typical West Clare style, the weather cleared and the sun came out just in time for the post race analysis and celebrations,
Gordon Thomsons superb photography can be seen here
Our thanks to our many volunteers, the Irish Red Cross (Limerick Branch), the TI officials, Sportstiming, The Pantry, Deirdre Carmody from Deesigner Baloons, our photographers, Clare County Council, Kilkee Jet Ski Club, Kilkee Boat Club, the people of Kilkee, Kilbalyowen and Loop head.