Coleman outfoxes Berkeley

ANDY COLEMAN (Enfield AC) finally broke Noel Berkeley’s stranglehold on the Nike Ballycotton 10 when he outfoxed the Dubliner to snatch a victory that left just six seconds separating the top two —49:52 to 49:58 — in a thrilling finish.

There are races, great races and there is Ballycotton. And this was Ballycotton at its best when, with close on 2000 runners buffeted by a gale force wind, the field split early on leaving just six runners in contention after two miles.

Much of the mayhem was caused by "the King of Ballycotton" Noel Berkeley who was bidding to win the title for the seventh time and fifth time in a row. The Dubliner, who has been living in Midleton for some years now, took control of the race in the second mile after Leevale clubmates Cathal Lombard and Roy Fahy had set the pace.