by owen
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County Tipperary Athletic Notes by Niall O’Sullivan County Senior PRO
The County Tipperary Road Championships got underway Sunday 22nd in Lisvernane. Both the women’s and men’s races attracted both quality and quantity and the spectators experienced two great races.
The women’s 3k race, saw 57 athletes go to the start line, the best entry for quite some time. The race started and soon the pace was set by a group that included the Clonmel AC duo of Ruby Carroll and Amanda Moroney as well as Nikki Kenneally of Moycarkey Coolcroo and Laura Earley of Fethard AC. At around halfway Ruby made her move going clear of the rest of the pack with Laura Earley in pursuit. As they turned back into the village Ruby had increased her lead and she maintained that strong pace all the way to win the County Novice Road title impressively in 10 mins 37 secs with Laura running on strongly to win the silver medal in 10 mins 43 secs. Then over the closing stages Amanda Moroney of Clonmel AC proved the strongest to win the bronze medal in 10 mins 54 secs, brilliant performances all round. This was a brilliant performance by Ruby who has made the transition from Juvenile ranks to senior ranks seem effortlessly. For the record Nikki Kenneally Moycarkey Coolcroo AC was 4th in 11 mins 11 secs, Carol Molloy Fethard AC 5th in 11 mins 30 secs and 6th was Elaine Morrissey Clonmel AC in 11 mins 45 secs. In the team event with three to score Clonmel were crowned Champions with their team of Ruby, Amanda and Elaine. Thus, regaining the title, they last won in 2023.
The men’s race over 6k also had a very good entry with 74 finishers, brilliant to see. Here the early pace over the two laps course was set by Sean Landers of Mooreabbey Milers AC and Pawel Hoc of Clonmel AC with Padraic Maher of Thurles Crokes and the Carrick on Suir duo of Patrick Harris and Treacy in close attention. On the second lap, Sean and Pawel were leading the race, while Padraic maintained a solid third position. Then as they came back into the village Sean had opened a slight lead on Pawel and he held that all the way to the line to win the County Novice Road title impressively in 20 mins 38 secs and becomes the 2nd Mooreabbey Miler athlete to win this coveted title, Stuart Moloney won it in 2014 in Moyne. Then we had Pawel Hoc of Clonmel AC also running very well on his debut in these Championships to win the silver medal in 20 mins 45 secs. As regards debut, what a debut Padraic Maher of Thurles Crokes had. Better known for his hurling exploits for both Tipperary and Thurles Sarsfields winning All Ireland medals and All-Stars Awards before injury curtailed his hurling exploits, Padraic turned his attention to running and on Sunday last ran a brilliant race to win the County Novice bronze medal in 21 mins 15 secs, brilliant performances all round. For the record Patrick Harris Carrick on Suir AC was 4th in 21 mins 35 secs, Tim Treacy Carrick on Suir AC 5th in 21 mins 37 secs and Eelco Beckers Clonmel AC was 6th in 21 mins 42 secs.
In the team awards Mooreabbey Milers AC made club history when winning this coveted title for the very first time. Their winning team was Sean Landers, Patrick Ahern 14th (22.10), Kevin Patrick Lenihan 17th (22.19) and Liam Lewis 18th (22.20). The Carrick on Suir team of Patrick Harris, Tim Treacy Eugene O’Keefe 12th (22.09) and Eoghan Coughlan 38th (23.54) won the silver medals. The Clonmel AC team of Pawel Hoc, Eelco Beckers, Robert Speer 21st (22.25) and Michael Lancster 31st (23.04) won the bronze medals.
At the Presentation of Awards, the County Chairman, Owen Fanning thanked all the Clubs for such great support and he also thanked Mooreabbey Milers for hosting two great races.
County Senior Road Championships
These Championships takes place in Ballyneale on Sunday 5th April with both races starting at 10 am. The women will race over 5k while the Men will race over 10K.
