This article is from page 61 of the 2011-06-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 61 JPG
THERE were strong performances from three Clare men who competed at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in Spain on Sunday.
Patrick Quinn, Patrick Moylan and Brian Mathias, who are all members of Ennis Tri club, took part in the event held in Pontevedra.
Competing in the 25-29 age group, Clarecastle man Quinn, finished in sixteenth position in a time of 2.13.05. Quinn’s highly creditable performance was boosted by a strong swim. He also enjoyed the sixth fastest run off the bike.
Patrick Moylan and Bryan Mathias both competed in the 35-39 age group. Mathias finished 43rd in a time of 2.29.10 while Moylan finished 54th in a time of 2.38.20.
All three competitors swam 1500m, cycled 40km and ran 10km.
A founding member and former chairman of Ennis Tri Club, Patrick Quinn has previously competed at world and European championships. After growing frustrated with injuries he picked up playing hurling and football, Quinn turned his hand to triathlons.
This is Quinn’s fifth season competing in Ireland and abroad and his first under the guidance of a professional coach.
This season has ranked among Quinn’s best. A team leader with the Brothers of Charity, the 28 year old hasn’t finished out of the top 10 in the national series of championships.
He said, “Triathlons are fairly addictive. After I did one, I wanted to do more. I wanted to get faster”.
His performances have been aided by a carefully structured training regime and an 18-month period where he has been free of injuries.
He added, “I’m hoping to get into the top 10 in Europe”.
Current chairman of Ennis Tri Club, Brian Mathias, has been taking part in triathlons for the past eight seasons.
He said, “It started off as a way of getting fit but it got a bit more serious. It’s definitely addictive. Not many people just do one triathlon”.
Mathias trains 12 times a week and competed in the European Duathlon in Limerick in April.
Solicitor Patrick Moylan, of Clare based O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors, was competing in his first European Championships.
“I started off doing a triathlon in Adare and after that I was hooked”, he said.
He added, “I find its great way to keep fit and healthy. You definitely find you have more energy around the office and at home”.
The trio’s success is a further boost to Ennis Tri club. Founded in 2009, the club now has 70 members.