County Athletic news by Niall O Sullivan County Senior PRO

Ardmayle was the venue last Sunday for the County Novice B Cross Country Championships. Once again athletes had to contend with warm conditions while the underfoot was firm for most of the route. Great credit must go to the Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC for having everything in place for these Championships. The County Board would like to thank the Hickey family for the use of their lands and the Order of Malta for their First Aid.

The women’s race over 3k consisted of 2 laps while the men’s 6k race was over four laps. In the women’s race the early pace was set by the Moyne AC duo of Edel Delaney and Lisa Quinlan with the eventual Champion Laura Earley of Fethard AC covering every move. Going out on the last lap, the Fethard AC athletes came to the fore with Laura leading from Carol Molloy and Jesscia Kennedy with Edel and Lisa in close attention. At this stage Laura had opened a good lead and she maintained that strong pace to come home a very worthy and convincing winner in 12 mins 54 secs. Then we had Carol Molloy also running very well when winning the silver medal in 13 mins 13 secs. Making it a clean sweep on the podium for Fethard AC was Jessica Kennedy when finishing 3^rd in 13 mins 32 secs, great performances all round. For the record Edel Delaney Moyne AC was 4th (13.47), Lisa Quinlan Moyne AC was 5^th (13.51) and Tanya O Brien Fethard AC was 6^h (14.29). With three to score on the club team, the Fethard team of Laura, Carol and Jessica won the gold medals. The silver medals were won by the Moyne AC team of Edel, Lisa and Mindy Doyle 11^th (15.04). Fethard AC was well represented in this race, with 13 athletes competing and they were rewarded when their next team won the bronze medals and that team consisted of Tanya, Paula Hendricksen 7^th (14.30) and Aoife Horan 14^th (15.52).

The men’s race was also competitive. Here a group of four athletes set the pace, Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC, Trevor Whelan Clonmel AC and the Fethard AC duo of Fintan Rice and James Maher with the chasing pack close by. On the second lap Fintan Rice increased the tempo that soon saw him open a gap on the other three contenders. As the race progressed, Fintan was gradually increasing his lead as he maintained a strong pace. He was well clear on the final lap and got a rousing reception from the Fethard AC camp as he came home a very worthy and convincing Champion in 24 mins 1 secs. The battle for the other podium placings was decided inside the final lap as James Maher moved clear to win the silver medal in 24 mins 35 secs with Eugene O Keeffe holding off some late challenges to win the bronze medal in 24 mins 44 secs. For the record Jack Spillane Fethard AC was 4^th (24.53), Trevor Whelan Clonmel AC was 6^th (24.59) and Darren Allison Dundrum AC 6^th (25.15). With three to score on the club team, Fethard AC were convincing Champions with their scoring team of Fintan, James and Jack, thus completing the Double Team success, well done to all involved. Dundrum AC won the silver medals with their scoring team of Darren, Shane White 7^th (25.29) and Richard Breslin 9^th (25.47). Dundrum AC also won the bronze medals with their team of Darren Gayson 10^th (26 mins), Val Farrell 14^th (26.54) and Michael Ryan 15^th (26.58).

The awards were presented by the  County Vice Chairman, Tiernan O Donnell. There was a very good entry in both races last Sunday and looking down through the results it is great to see athletes winning their first medal and possibly the start of a great running career. Great credit to all the Clubs for supporting these Championships.

 

Home Countries International Cross Country

The County Board would like to wish our County athletes Dymphna Ryan Dundrum AC, Emmet McNamara and Fintan Rice of Fethard AC the very best of luck in Leeds on Saturday 15^th November, as they represent their country at these championships.