13-57 5k for Fearghal Curtin in LA - December 2020
Sub 14 Minutes for Fearghal Curtin on Good Night for Irish
San Juan Capistrano, California, USA
Friday December 4th 2020
Last night's meet was held in JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, south of Los Angeles, California. The location was a well kept secret, even from the participating athletes, who were 'kept in the dark' until just before the event. Normally one would expect any T&F Meet organiser to be willing to sacrifice a lamb for publicity, however, given Covid, it was the opposite. Following last night's successful meet, today's second day of the meet is, apparently, in doubt, as parts of California go into partial lockdown from 1pm today.
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC, ran 13:57.93, in his race, to record a time just over 4 seconds off his PB of 13:53.53, set in April 2019. Sources close to Fearghal suggest that "He will be disappointed with that", however as, reportedly, he has not had any proper test, not even a time trial, for several months, coming close to his PB, in these circumstances, must be regarded as a good performance. 
Barry Keane, Waterford AC, in the same race, ran 13:41.98, for 9th place, recording the fastest 5,000m by an Irishman this year.
Barry Keane, Waterford AC
Womens 5,000m A Race
Eilish & Roisin Flanagan
Sisters Eilish and Roisin Flanagan, Adams State and Carmen Runners AC (Tyrone) went in the Women's Sub-15:10 race, with both recording PB's. Roisin finished 9th in 15:38.27, putting her 16th on the Irish all-time listings, while Eilish ran 15:40.14, from her previous best of 16:00.39, from 33rd to 17th.
Mens 5000m A Race
Ciarán Ó Lionáird, NIKE and Leevale AC
Ciarán Ó Lionáird, NIKE and Leevale AC, was on pacemaking duty, tasked with bringing the field through 3k in 8 minutes, and reports said that "He as on fire!". Of course, being "the rabbit", he is recorded as DNF, but that doesn't tell the full story ......he did the job he was tasked with!
