*Members of the winning team, Thomas Maguire, Colin McGuane, Daire Keane and Tommy Barry accept the prize from sponsors PS Carmody. Photograph: Tom Micks
KILMALEY can lay claim to the Toughest Tribe after taking the top prize in their novel fundraiser.
Participants ran through forests, bogs, rivers and the roads of Kilmaley as part of the endurance event which had between forty five to fifty teams, with four individuals on each team it meant in the region of 200 competitors took on The Toughest Tribe.
Local construction company PS Carmody Contractors were the main partners for the event. Funds raised from The Toughest Tribe are to fund “the operational expenses” of the Kilmaley senior hurling team for 2025.
A charity walk for children’s cancer took place at 11am on the walkway at Lisbiggeen sports facility. All funds from the 5km Chieftain’s Walk will go towards children’s cancer treatment.
With Kilmaley’s clubhouse serving as the starting point for 8km endurance run, competitors began here and ran two kilometres to a forest which they proceeded through a forest road for one and a half kilometres. A 500m bog followed before it was back to another two kilometre road section which included navigating over shipping containers.
There was no worries about drying off as runners were back in the water, this time for a 400m dash through a river before hitting back for another two kilometres on the road. As they moved onto the fields, there was bales and wooden walls to get over before getting back on the road before hitting Lisbiggeen and the finish line.
Thomas Maguire of Kilmaley was first home with an impressive time of 41:06, he was followed by Banner GAA’s Finn Duignan in 41:18 and Inagh/Kilnamona’s Seamus Foudy 43:47.
Winners were determined by the best combined score of all four team members. Kilmaley came out on top with Maguire joined by Colin McGuane, Tommy Barry and Daire Keane on the winning side, they had a combined finish of 02:59:30. The winning team will receive €1,000 or a brand new set of jerseys for their club.
Inagh/Kilnamona led by Foudy took second place, his team members were Alex Leyden, Jamie Wynne and Darragh Power. Their overall result was 03:06:56.
Taking third spot was Ballyea with a time of 03:14:03, their team members were Jack Browne, Gearoid ‘Gudgy’ O’Connell, Paul Flanagan and Mossy Gavin.
Initial reaction has been so positive that organisers have told The Clare Echo they are aiming to make The Toughest Tribe an annual event.
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