County Athletic Notes – 30^th March – by Niall O Sullivan County Senior PRO

Galbally nestled at the foothills of the Galtees was the venue for the County Tipperary Intermediate Road Championships last Sunday. Brilliant sunshine and summer like weather greeted the athletes as they descended on the village. Competition was very keen as there was good entries for both the women’s 4k and men’s 8K races.

In the women’s race Orla Healy of Moyne AC was determined to add this title to the County Novice title won in Dualla recently and so from the start she set a strong pace. This pace soon had the field well stretched on the upward climb with the chasing pack led by the Fethard AC duo of Laura Earley and Edel Roche and the Dundrum AC trio of Mary Keane, Catherine Fogarty and Karen Coughlan in close attention. As they approached the 2k mark Orla had a nice lead over the chasing pack and she made every stride a winning one to come home a very worthy and convincing winner in 14 mins 49 secs. This was a brilliant performance by Orla. We also had great running from Laura Earley and Edel Roche, both Fethard AC as they won the silver (15:16) and bronze (15:27) medals, respectively. Mary Keane (Dundrum) was 4^th (15:34) and Catherine Fogarty (Dundrum AC) was 5^th (15:50). Indeed, these five athletes filled the top five placings in the County Novice recently so great performances and consistency all round. For the record Karen Coughlan (Dundrum AC) was 6^th in 16.15. In the team event Fethard AC women are doing well as they were adding this title to the County Novice title won recently in Dualla and the same team of Laura, Edel and Paula Hendricksen 8^th (16.38) won the gold medals. The Dundrum trio of Mary Keane, Catherine Fogarty and Karen Coughlan won the silver medals. The Moyne AC team of Orla Healy, Lisa Quinlan 11^th (16.50) and Edel Delaney 12^th (17.10) won the bronze medals. Congrats to Fethard AC on winning this coveted title for the first time in recent years.

The early pace in the men’s race was set by Barry Hartnett (Dundrum AC) and the eventual winner Matthew Ryan of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC as they set a strong pace. At around halfway Matthew increased the tempo and soon opened a lead on Barry and the rest of the field. Matthew maintained that strong tempo on the downhill stretch to come home a very worthy and convincing winner in 26 mins 33 secs, great running on this course and in such warm conditions. Then we had Barry Hartnett winning the silver medal in 27 mins 19 secs. Midway through the race Liam Shanahan of Thurles Crokes moved into 3^rd place and he maintained that place all the way to the finish line to win the bronze medal in 29 mins 8 secs. For the record Mark Corcoran of Nenagh Olympic was 4^th (29.28) with Shane Moloney of Thurles Crokes 5^th (29.45) and Denis McCullagh Thurles Crokes 6^th (30.08). With three athletes in the top six finishers, Thurles Crokes were convincing winners. Their winning team were Liam Shanahan, Shane Moloney, Denis McCullagh and Liam McCullagh 22^nd (33.27). The silver medals were won by the Moycarkey Coolcroo quartet of Matthew Ryan, Kevin Shortall 8^th (30.16), Donie Bergin 18^th (32.32) and James Barry 27^th (34.20). The bronze medals were won by the Fethard AC team of Fintan Rice 11^th (30.57), James Maher 13^th (31:32). Kevin Tobin 17^th (32:29) and Jack Spillane 25^th (34.00). It is great to see new talent emerging in the various clubs and athletes winning their first medals for their clubs. Congrats on Thurles Crokes on winning this coveted title for the first time since 2018.

At the presentation of the Awards, County Chairman, Owen Fanning thanked Mooreabbey Milers for hosting two very successful events. He also thanked the Clubs for supporting these Championships.

County Junior and Senior Road Championships

Dundrum is the venue next Sunday for the County Junior and Senior Road Championships. Please note the early starting time of 11am with both Senior Race going off together on the fame Dundrum course, I lap(5K) for the women and two laps (10K) for the men. The Junior races over 3k will have a different course, all starting at 11am.

Eligibility for the Junior races is that athletes must be over 16 years of age and under 20 years of age as of the 31^{st of} December 2025. In the team events it is three to score for both women and men. Eligibility for the Senior races is that athletes must be over 20 years of age as of the 31^{st of} December 2025. In the team events it is three to score on the women’s team and four to score on the Men’s teams. Here there is a B Section for clubs who enter more than one team. In last years races Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC and Mossy Bracken of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC were crowned Champions while Dundrum AC won both inter Club titles impressively.

As both the County Novice and Intermediate Road races have been very well supported, these Championships races where everyone is eligible should also prove competitive over the famous Dundrum circuit.