County Athletic Notes by Niall O Sullivan County PRO

Fethard is the venue next Sunday for the final events of what has been a very successful Cross-Country season at County level. There are two races. At 12 noon the 4000m race for women over 35 and under 23 as well as for men over 65 gets underway. We will then have the 7000m race for men over 35 and under 23. The County Board would like to thank Fethard AC for promoting these Championships and they are indebted to the Rice family for the use of their fine facilities for the events.

In the women’s race, the warm favourite will be Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC, the current County Senior Cross Country Champion. She will face good competition from athletes like Kealey Tideswell and Suzanne Shine of Clonmel AC, Linda Grogan of Dundrum AC, Eileen McCullough of Moyne AC and Mary Louise Ryan of Mooreabbey Milers AC. In the team event, Dundrum will be warm favourites to win this title with athletes like Catherine Fogarty and Karen Coughlan to call upon. They will face good competition from clubs like Clonmel, Moyne, Mooreabbey Milers, Thurles Crokes and Fethard. The defending over 45 Champions is Clonmel and they will be hoping to defend this title. They will also face good competition from clubs like Mooreabbey Milers, Dundrum, Fethard and Thurles Crokes.

The men’s over 65 race will also be competitive. Here athletes like Jim St John and John Corry of Clonmel, Matt Alexander of Coolquill and Gerry Kervick of Mooreabbey Milers will be to the fore. Here the defending Champions are Dundrum with athletes like Liam Butler, PJ Holmes and John Moore to help their cause. They will face good competition from Coolquill and Clonmel.

The masters’ men four lap race should also be very competitive. Here the defending Champion is Barry Hartnett of Dundrum AC, and he should start favourite again on Sunday as he is running very well at the moment. He could face good competition with athletes like Conor Keating and Paddy Cummins of Moycarkey Coolcroo, Joey Feery of Clonmel, Kevin Patrick Lenihan of Moroeabbey Milers and Denis McCullagh of Thurles Crokes. In the team events, Dundrum AC will be defending the over 35 title while Mooreabbey Milers will be going all out to retain the over 50 Cup.

The Josie Garrett Perpetual Cup

This perpetual Cup will be presented to the best overall Senior Club for the Cross-Country season where every athlete can score points for their Club. This makes next Sunday’s two races very interesting as there is very little to separate the top three clubs at the moment. Going into the final events of the season Fethard have 354 points, Clonmel have 352 points and Dundrum have 315 points. So, all to play for in Fethard on Sunday as to who will be crowned County Adult Cross Country Club Champions. A fitting way to end a glorious Cross-Country season at County level.