County Athletic news by Niall O Sullivan County Senior PRO – 03/11/2025

Middlepiece was the venue last Sunday for the Munster Uneven and Senior Cross country Championships. This was the 3^rd fixture at this venue in the past few weeks. Once again Moycarkey Coolcroo AC and the Hayes Family had put together a brilliant course. Conditions were very good despite rain in recent days with the going firm and ideal for cross country.

In the Senior women’s race the County was well represented. After the initial surge at the start the field soon settled down on the 1500m lap before then embarking on three laps of the 2k circuit. In the early stages the lead was shared by a large number of athletes. Then as they went out on the 1^st of the 2km laps five athletes began to set the pace, Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC, Michelle Kenny of Leevale AC, Una Britton of West Clare Sports & Social Club as well as the Clonmel AC duo of Ciara O Neill and Laura Cooney. Then midway through the race the lead was down to the two Tipperary athletes, Dympna Ryan and Ciara O Neill. These two athletes matched stride for stride over the next 3k. Then with 700m to go Ciara put in her winning surge and kept it going all the way to the line to win the Munster title impressively in 25 mins 43 secs. This was Ciara 2^nd time winning this title, she won it in 2023 at the same venue. Then we had Dymphna running on well to win the silver medal in 25 mins 51 secs, two brilliant performances. At this stage the other County athletes were being urged to keep the momentum going and they all responded with great performances like Laura Cooney Clonmel AC finishing 5^th overall in 26.26 to win the Munster Under 23 title impressively. Laura was the defending Under 23 Champion as she won this title last year in Tramore racecourse, brilliant running.  Aisling Ryan of Dundrum AC was 7^th (27.14), Emma Murray Clonmel AC 11^th (28.08), Suzanne Shine Clonmel AC 20^th (30.18), Catherine Fogarty Dundrum AC 21^st, Mary Louise Ryan Mooreabbey Milers AC 24^th, Emily Leahy Dundrum AC 27^th, Sareen Walsh Clonmel AC 28^th and Liz Lalor Clonmel AC 29^th. The County team of Ciara, Dymphna, Laura, Aisling, Emma and Suzanne combined very well to win the gold medals. It was great to see two Clubs from the County making the podium. Clonmel AC won the silver medals with their team of Ciara, Laura, Emma and Suzanne. The bronze medals were won by the Dundrum AC quartet of Dymphna, Aisling, Catherine and Emily.

The men’s race was also competitive. Here the winner, Paul Hartnett of East Cork AC made his intentions known from the start as he set a strong pace that soon saw him draw clear of the chasing pack. Paul kept the strong pace going to win impressively in 21.50. Then we had Cian Hodgins of Nenagh Olympic running a brilliant race. He moved into 2^nd place midway through the 2^nd lap and despite a few challenges throughout the race, he kept the tempo going to win the Munster Senior silver medal in 22.04 and in the process was also crowned Munster under 23 Champion, brilliant performance. We also had good performances from Jamie Moloney Nenagh Olympic 9^th overall and winning silver in the under 23 event, Kevin Moore Mullingar Harriers AC10^th, Aidan Flannery Clonmel AC 27^th, Peter Madden Templemore AC 41^st, Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC 42^nd, Patrick Roche Carrick on Suir AC 43^rd, Patrick Harris Carrick on Suir AC 44^th, Jim Halley Dundrum AC 45^th and Michael Moore Dundrum AC 47^th. The County team of Cian, Jamie, Kevin, Aidan, Peter and Eugene won the silver medals.

 

County Novice B Cross Country

These Championships take place next Sunday, 9^th November, in Ardmayle and hosted by Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC. The women’s 3k race gets proceedings underway at 10 am followed immediately by the Men’s 6k event while the Juvenile programme gets underway at 11.30am.

To run in these Novice races athletes must have competed in the Novice CC races in Galbally on October 5^th this year. Also, previous winners of this event can’t participate. In both races it is three to score on the Club teams.

In the women’s race we should have a competitive race with athletes like Laura Earley and Carol Molloy of Fethard AC along with the Moyne AC duo of Edel Delaney and Lisa Quinlan as well as Noelle O Brien of Mooreabbey Milers, Emily Leahy of Dundrum AC and Deniece Touhy of Thurles Crokes competing. The defending Champions are Fethard AC and they will have a strong say in this year’s title as they can also call upon such athletes as Jessica Kennedy and Tanya O Brien. Other clubs seeking a podium finish includes Dundrum AC, Thurles Crokes AC, Mooreabbey Milers and the host club Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC.

The men’s race should also be competitive. Here the main contenders include Sean Healy Moycarkey Coolcroo AC, the Fethard AC duo of James Maher and Fintan Rice as well Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC, Padraig Coen of Dundrum AC and Kevin Patrick Lenihan Mooreabbey Milers AC. In the team event Fethard AC look strong as they can also call upon athletes like Jack Spillane and Kevin Tobin. Mooreabbey Milers will be looking to athletes like Ger Hanley, Liam Lewis and Liam O Donnell to help them win the title. Dundrum will be looking to athletes like Padraig Coen, Darren Allison, Richard Bresnan and Shane White to carry their colours to victory, all in all we should have two very competitive race if all the eligible athletes compete.

County Post Primary Schools Cross Country

This popular event takes place at the Thurles Crokes AC complex on Thursday November 13^th, starting at 11am.  Just a reminder for all Clubs that entries close on Friday 7^th November.

Race Permits

The next County Board meeting, Thursday 27^th November will finalise the Road races for 2026, Championship and Open. So, Clubs are reminded to send in their applications for the Championship races as well as the dates for their Open Road races as soon as possible. All Clubs will have received the relevant information from the County Chairman in recent days.