County Tipperary Athletic Notes by Niall O’Sullivan County Senior PRO

The County Novice B Road Championships took place in ideal summer like conditions last Saturday night in Fethard Town park, hosted by Fethard AC. Both races had both quality and quantity and it was great to see the commitment by the Clubs in supporting these championships. The First race over 3k incorporated the Count Junior Men and Women as well las the Women’s Novice B Road Championships. In the Junior Women’s race we had a 1-2 for Clonmel AC with their athletes running well to claim the gold and silver medals. Alice Meegan underlined her good form of late when coming home a very convincing winner in 11 mins 48 secs. Her teammate making her debut in these Championships, Kayle McKenna made it a successful debut when winning the silver medal in 13 mins 25 secs. In the Men’s equivalent we had Cormac Boyla of Thurles Crokes winning his first County Road title when coming home a clear winner in 11 mins 5 secs. Then we had Gerard Ryan Fethard AC making his debut in these Championship a successful one when winning the silver medal in 12 mins 11 secs.

Alice Meegan Clonmel A.C.

Cormac Boylan, Thurles Crokes A.C.

In the Novice B women’ race Nikki Kenneally of Moycarkey-Coolcroo AC went to the front early on in the two lap race and set a strong pace that saw herself and Carol Molloy of Fethard AC moving clear of the chasing pack, Then just before hallway Nikki increased the pace that soon saw her draw clear and she kept up that pace to come home a very worthy and convincing Champion in 11 mins 5 secs. Then we had Carol Molloy also running very well when winning the silver medal in 11 mins 23 secs. The bronze medal was decided over the final stages of the race with Paula Hendriksen of Fethard AC finishing 3^rd in 11 mins 51 secs. For the record Tanya O Brien Fethard AC was 4^th (11.54), Edel Delaney Moyne AC 5^th (12.03) and Karen Coughlan Dundrum AC 6^th (12.18). In the team event with three to score Fethard AC won the gold medals with their team of Carol, Paula and Tanya. To underline their rich vein of talent at the moment Fethard AC team of Jessica Kennedy, Carri Davey and Aoife Horan won the silver medals but by only one point from the Dundrum AC team of Karen, Emily Leahy and Julie Dwyer, who won the bronze medals.

The men’s race was also competitive over the four-lap route. Here the early pace was set by Michael Gleeson Templemore AC, Donie Bergin Moycarkey Coolcroo AC, the Fethard duo of Eoghan Ryan and James Maher along with the Dundrum AC athletes Wayne Bargary and Darren Allison. Going out on the 3^rd lap Donie Bergin picked up the pace and soon had open a lead on the chasing pack. Donie maintained that strong pace on the final stages to come home a very worthy and convincing Champion in 21 mins 19 secs. Then we had a right tussle for the other podium placings with Michael Gleeson winning the silver medal in 21 mins 36 secs and Eoghan Ryan Fethard Ac winning the bronze medal in 21 mins 50 secs. For the record James Maher Fethard AC was 4th (21.59), Wayne Bargary Dundrum Ac was 5th (22.08) and Darren Allison Dundrum AC was 6th (22.11). The team event was very close with only one point separating Fethard AC and Dundrum AC. The Fethard AC team of Eoghan Ryan, James Maher and Jack Spillane won the gold medals. The Dundrum AC trio of Wayne Bargary, Darren Allisson and Shane White won the silver medals. The Mooreabbey Milers AC team of Patrick Ahern, Liam Lewis and Robert Cunningham won the bronze medals.

It is brilliant to see new names from the various clubs making podium placings, long may it continue. At the presentation of the Awards, County Chairman, Owen Fanning thanked Fethard AC for once again promoting two great events. He also thanked the Clubs for supporting these Championships in great numbers.