Back in June 1981, Paddy Murphy (Kildare) and Brian Keeney (Metro St Brigid’s AC) were the two athletes featured on the very first issue of Irish Runner magazine.
The photo, by Brian Tansey, was from the 41st Clonliffe 20 Road Race from Gormanstown College to the Morton Stadium in Santry.
Paddy Murphy won the race in 1:38:47, with Brian Keeney close behind in 1:39:15 and John Bolger (Crusaders AC) third in 1:40:18. Mick Byrne (Clonliffe Harriers) was fourth in 1:41:30 and the late Jerry Kiernan (Clonliffe Harriers) fifth in 1:42:53. Jerry went on to finish ninth in the 1984 Olympic Marathon in LA – with John Treacy winning the silver medal in that event.
Marie Murphy (DSD) finished 47th overall to win the Women’s race in 2:01:15. Deirdre Nagle (DCH) was second in 2:03:56 and Emily Dowling was third in 2:07:29.
Race winner Paddy Murphy will turn 80 in November of this year and Brian Keeney has long been resident in Boston, USA.
Check out the 2024 Spring Edition cover here.
