County Tipperary Athletic News by Niall O Sullivan County Senior PRO

Fethard was the venue last Sunday for the County under 23 and Masters Cross Country Championships. Conditions were good once the fog lifted as this course had everything, running along a forest path, inclines and soft under foot conditions, making it a true cross-country test.

The first race over 4k, two laps, included the over 35 women and the over 65 men groups. Here right from the whistle Kealey Tidesell Clonmel AC made her intentions known as she set a strong pace that soon saw her draw clear of the chasing pack. That chasing pack included Eileen McCullough Moyne AC, Catherine Fogarty of Dundrum AC and Carol Molloy of the host club. Out front Kealey made every stride a winning one to come home a very worthy and convincing over 40 champion in 16 mins 12 secs. Then we had Eileen McCullough running very well when finishing 2^nd to win the over 40 silver medal in 17 mins 16 secs. Carol Molloy put in a great last lap to finish 3^rd and win the over 35 gold medal in 17 mins 50 secs. The other award winners were as follows: Jessica Kennedy Fethard AC 2^nd 0/35 , Lisa Quinlan Moyne AC 3^rd 0/35, Noelle O Brien Mooreabbey Milers 3^rd 0/40, Catherine Fogarty Dundurm AC 1^st 0/45, Suzanne Shine Clonmel AC 2^nd 0/45, Mary Louise Ryan Mooreabbey Milers 3^rd 0/45, Sareen Walsh Clonmel AC 1^st 0/50, Michelle Doherty Clonmel AC 2^nd 0/50, Aine Doocey Fethard AC 3^rd 0/50, Martina Ryan Thurles Crokes 1^st 0/55, Deirdre Royce Fethard AC 2^nd 0/55, Isobel Minogue Fethard AC 3^rd 0/55, Trish Blackburn Mooreabbey Milers 1^st 0/60, Susan Laste Fethard AC 2^nd 0/60 and Esme Alexander Coolquill AC 1^st 0/65.

In the team events, Clonmel AC retained both titles. Their winning team in the over 35 event consisted of Kealey Tideswell, Marina Quinlan 18^th and Liz Lalor 19^th. Moyne AC team of Eileen McCullough, Lisa Quinlan 10^th and Edel Delaney 11^th. Fethard AC won the bronze medals with Carol Molloy, Jessica Kennedy and Tanya O’Brien 14^th. Clonmel AC   over 45 team, consisted of Suzanne Shine, Sarah Whelan 8^th and Sareen Walsh 12^th. Mooreabbey Milers won the silver medals with their team of Mary Louise Ryan, Marie O Shea 27^th and Trish Blackburn 34^th. Fethard AC team of Aine Doocey 23^rd, Oonagh Burke 28^th and Deirdre Royce 31^st.

This event also saw the men over 65 competing and again we had a very good competition here. Matthew Felmin of Fethard AC ran a great race to win the over 65 title in 21 mins 4 secs with Kevin McCartan of Coolquill AC winning the silver medal in 21 mins 20 secs. In the over 70 event Matt Alexander of Coolquill AC won the gold medal in 22 mins 54 secs with his clubmate Leslie Smyth winning the silver medal in 23 mins 50 secs and Michael Croome Carroll Fethard AC winning the bronze medal in 27 mins 58 secs. Then we had Myles McHugh Clonmel AC winning the over 80 title in 29 mins 37 secs. In the team event, Coolquill AC won the gold medals with their team of Kevin, Matt and Leslie. Brilliant to see these athletes still enjoying the sport and are great ambassadors for the Sport, a Sport that caters for all ages and abilities.

The last race was the Men Under 23 and Men over 35 over 7k, four laps. In the under 23 men’s race Jack Davey of Fethard AC won the gold medal with a very good performance.

In the masters race over four laps, Dermot Gorman Carrick on Suir went from the whistle and soon opened up a commanding lead over the chasing pack. That chasing pack included Fintan Rice and James Maher of Fethard AC, Paddy Cummins Moycarkey Coolcroo AC, Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC. There was no stopping Dermot as he kept up the strong pace to come home a very worthy and convincing over 40 champion in 27 mins 7secs. Then we had Paddy Cummins finishing 2^nd to win the 0/40 silver medal in 30 mins 5 secs with Fintan Rice finishing 3^rd to win the over 60 gold medal in 30 mins 10 secs. The other award winners were Michael Power Fethard AC 1^st 0/35, Aidan O’Brien Fethard AC 2^nd 0/35, Darren Allison Dundrum AC 3^rd 0/40, Patrick Roche Carrick on Suir 1^st 0/45, James Maher Fethard AC 2^nd 0/45, Trevor Whelan Clonmel AC 3^rd 0/45, Peter Madden Templemore AC 1^st 0/50, Liam Lewis Mooreabbey Milers Ac 2^nd 0/50, John Renehan Moyne Ac 3^rd 0/50. Eugene O Keeffe Carrick on Suir 1^st 0/55, Conor Fleming Clonmel AC 2^nd 0/55, Jim Halley Dundrum AC 3^rd 0/55, Tom Blackburn Mooreabbey Milers AC 2^nd 0/60, William O’Donoghue Mooreabbey Milers AC 3^rd 0/60.

In the over 35 team event Fethard AC won the gold medals with their team of Fintan Rice, James Maher, Michael Power 10^th and Aidan O ‘Brien 26^th. The Mooreabbey Milers team of Tom Blcakburn 6^th, Liam Lewis 13^th, Kevin Patrick Lenihan 14^th and Gerard Hanley 19^th won the silver medals. The Dundrum AC team of Darren Allison, Shane White 11^th, Martin Keane 16^th and Wayne Bargary 25^th won the bronze medals. In the over 50 team event the Mooreabbey Milers team of Tom Blackburn, Liam Lewis and Gerard Hanley. Fethard AC won the silver medals with their trio of Fintan Rice, Neilie Hall and John Hurley.

At the presentation of the award the County Chairman, Owen Fanning thanked the Rice family and Fethard AC for promoting a great event. He also thanked the clubs for once again supporting these Championships which brings the curtain down on what was a very successful County Cross Country season.