LONG READ: County 10 Mile Championship a red letter day for athletics club in Tipperary

Above: The Fethard AC team that won the overall County Road Team Championship. Back, from left, John Hurley, Lisa Williams, Kitty Conroy, Oonagh Burke, Cathal Hurley, Laura Early, Edel Roche, James Maher, Mary Hurley, Jack Spillane, Isobel Minogue, Eddie Hayes, Deirdre Royce, Paul Ryan and Emmet McNamara. Front, from left, Paula Hendriksen, Neillie Hall, James Denn, Mathew Fleming, Pat Morrissey, Nicola Noonan, Carol Molloy, Tanya O’Brien, Fintan Rice, Katie Ryan and MJ Croke 

Fethard AC had the honour of hosting this year’s County 10 Mile Athletics Championship, and it turned out to be a landmark day in the club’s history.

Not only was the event a great success in terms of organisation and participation, but it also marked a historic first – Fethard AC were crowned overall Road Team Champions for 2025, bringing home the prestigious Michael Cahill Cup.

This is the club’s first-ever senior cup, and is a testament to the tireless dedication of the athletes, coaches, volunteers and community who made it all possible.

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Emmet McNamara was the standout performer of the day, finishing as first male overall with an outstanding time of 53:47.
Emmet set the tone for the club with his strong pace and determination, leading from the front and crossing the line with a commanding lead. His performance was a proud moment for both himself and the club.

Fintan Rice, a cornerstone of Fethard AC, took first place in the Over 60 category, finishing in 62:05.
His consistency and experience played a huge role in helping the men’s A team secure top honours. Fintan continues to inspire with every race he runs.

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James Maher delivered a fantastic race, coming in as second in the Over 40 category with a time of 64:26. James is known for his grit and reliability in championship events and he didn’t disappoint, contributing crucial points to the winning A team.

Paul Ryan completed the A team line-up with a time of 66:08. An experienced distance runner, his steady pace and commitment played a key role in securing the men’s team’s victory.

The B team also put in a strong showing, led by Jack Spillane, who ran a steady race to finish in 67:58. Right behind him was James Denn, who showed great form in clocking 68:01, displaying real teamwork and composure in tough conditions.

Neillie Hall added a podium finish to the mix, securing third in the Over 60 category with a time of 72:59. Coming off a marathon just the previous weekend, his resilience and love for racing continue to impress. Together Jack, James and Neillie claimed victory for the men’s B team.

Several other dedicated club members also ran strong races. Eddie Hayes completed the race in 74:22, achieving a huge personal best compared to last year – a testament to his hard work and progress.

John Hurley followed in 78:58; as club chairman, his presence on the course reflects the commitment he shows behind the scenes, putting countless hours into the smooth running of the club.

MJ Croke, finishing in 80:43, demonstrated real determination, as did Pat Morrissey, who crossed the line just behind him in 80:51. Pat has been training consistently and never misses a long run – his dedication was clear in a strong performance on race day. Both men showed great heart and commitment on a challenging course.

Matthew Fleming deserves special recognition for his performance, finishing in 85:24 and earning third place in the Over 65 category – a superb achievement.

In the women’s race, Edel Roche led the charge with a fantastic run, finishing in 69:55 and securing first in the Over 45 category. Edel’s consistent training and smart racing paid off with a well-earned win in her category.

Laura Early also impressed with a strong time of 72:22, running a steady race and showing her strength and focus over the 10-mile distance.

Tanya O’Brien delivered another standout performance for the club, claiming second place in the Over 35 category with a time of 81:36. Tanya’s positive energy and powerful running were crucial on the day.

Carol Molloy earned third place in the Over 35 category, finishing in 83:53. A key member of the training group, Carol has played a major role in organising long runs and motivating others. Her enthusiasm and commitment really shone through, and her podium finish added valuable points to the team’s standings.

Nicola Noonan had a great run, finishing in 86:05. Her steady improvement over the season has been fantastic, and she was rewarded with a team medal.

Deirdre Royce, finishing in 86:58, also had a brilliant run, claiming second place in the Over 50 category. Deirdre’s consistency and experience brought great strength to the women’s B team. Nicola, Deirdre and Carol combined to secure second place in the B team category – an excellent result.

In another great result for the club, Isobel Minogue ran an inspiring race to finish in 99:26, earning first in the Over 56 category. Isobel’s performance was both courageous and rewarding.

Oonagh Burke and Lisa Williams both finished in 103:15, running side by side and offering great support to each other throughout. Their determination helped secure third place in the women’s B team alongside Isobel.

Kitty Conroy clocked in at 106:47, pushing through every mile with great heart and effort.

Katie Ryan completed her longest run to date, finishing in 109:04 – a massive personal milestone that shows her incredible progress and dedication to training.

Mary Hurley finished in 110:27, proudly taking third place in the Over 50 category, proving once again how vital experience and resilience are on race day.She crossed the line alongside Paula Hendriksen, who also ran 110:27, and it was a true team effort in every sense.

Fethard AC were proud to host this year’s County 10 Miler Championship on behalf of Tipperary Athletics, and we extend our thanks to them for the opportunity.

A huge thank you is extended to all the marshals, including support from Moyglass AC; the catering volunteers and the bike marshals – Richie, Frank, and Jeff – who kept the course safe throughout.

Thanks also to FTP for the use of facilities, and to Louis and Marie for their help with the pre-race setup.

The Fethard AC committee worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and none of this would have been possible without the guidance and dedication of Head Coach Louis Rice, whose commitment has helped deliver the club's first ever county road team title – a moment of pride for all at Fethard AC.