J Conneely - Athlete

This is the transcript from the Connacht Tribune 4th March 1922

SUNDAY’S GREAT TRIAL ÁT BALLINASLOE.

High Hopes for the Big Irish Event.

What proved to be one of the best trials witnessed for some time took place at the Hill-o’-Back, Ballinasloe, on Sunday last. Contingents from Cappataggle and Galway competed against the local harriers, and a rousing contest was the outcome. Some parts of the course were almost covered with pools of water. Six miles over such a course was a trying test. In the circumstances it speaks well for the fitness of the athletes that fourteen of the seventeen candidates finished. P. J. Connolly set an exceptionally fast pace, and held the lead for seven of the ten laps. Entering on the eleventh, he was joined by J. Conneely, of Oughterard, who ran a J comparatively well-judged race, and in an exciting finish won by about seven yards. The running all through was of a high-standard. Special mention must be made of the youths for both Connolly and Conneely have passed their teens and in this category we would include O’Reilly, of Fairhill, Galway, a most promising youth, and Larry Hynes, a mere boy, son of the famous runner, Thos. Hynes; who accompanied them to the field, and is responsible for the organising and training of the Galway contingent. Those two astonished, some of the oldest on the track by the grim tenacity stuck to their work. Coupled with those might be mentioned the names of Haugh and Jennings, Aughrim, two athletes still in their teens. The pick of the Ballinasloe men was Bill Kelly, Ballydangan. Many of those who competed had absolutely no training. One such handicapped was McPhilpin, Galway City, a fine, stout runner, who should be well in the fore-front in Ballinasloe on March 17. Credit is due to P. J. Connolly, Cappataggle, responsible for bringing into the limelight many promising young athletes, and also to the Galway men who travelled under such adverse weather conditions.

The following is the time of the different competitors:-

1. J. Conneely, Oughterard 33m 15s

2. P. J. Connolly, Cappletaggle 33m 16s

3. J. Haugh, Aughrim 33m 55s

4. A. Jennings, Aughrim 34m 5s

5. W. Kelly, Ballydangan 34m 30s

6. J. Donnellan, Ballinasloe 34m 55s

7. J. O’Rielly, Galway 35m 10s

8. J. Murray, Ballinasloe 36m 5s

9. J. Nolan, Anghrim 36m 20s

10. J. McPhilpin, Galway 36m 21s

11. J. Brock, Ballinasloe 36m 30s