Thurles Crokes AC's Sharon Cleere wins Tipperary Novice Road Championship

All roads led to Moyne last Sunday for the opening of the County Tipperary Road Championships with the County Novice Titles down for decision. Conditions were very good with warm sunshine greeting the athletes as they assembled at the Moyne AC fantastic facilities, which were the races headquarters. Both races were very competitive with both quality and quantity in both.

These championships saw a great number of new faces making their club debuts with 20 women and 80 men competing. That is great to see and County Chairman, Owen Fanning thanked all the clubs for making such great efforts to support with Fethard AC making a very welcome return to the county scene.

At the start of both races today there was a minute’s applause for both Jimmy Dunne former chairman of Thurles Crokes and Mary Kelly, mother of County Secretary Anne Fagan, who passed away during the week. The County Board would like to offer their deepest condolences to the families of both people.

WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s 3k race the early pace was set by the talented duo of Sharon Cleere of Thurles Crokes and Louise Fogarty of Moyne AC. As they approached midway Sharon increased the pace and soon opened a lead. Once getting her head in front, Sharon made every stride a winning one as she came home a very worthy champion in 10 mins 27 secs. Louise took the silver in 10 mins 45 secs.

The battle for the bronze was settled inside the final km with Sarah Whelan emerging from the chasing pack and despite some late challenges held on for third in 12 mins 6 secs.

Tipperary athletes win six medals at National Indoors - Gold for Sharlene

For the record Patricia Ryan of Dundrum was 4th in 12 mins 13 secs with her clubmate Catherine Fogarty 5th in 12 mins 18 secs and Sareen Walsh of Clonmel AC 6th in 12 mins 27 secs.

The team event was very close with both Dundrum and Clonmel on 9 points with two athletes from each club home. All eyes were on the third scorer from both clubs and down the finishing straight we had a great finish with Michelle Doherty of Clonmel AC finishing 8th in 12 mins 32 secs just ahead of Mairead Julian of Dundrum 10th in 12 mins 33 secs, couldn’t be any closer.

The bronze medals were won by the Moyne AC trio of Louise Fogarty, Aisling Maher 13th in 12:40 and Lisa Quinlan 14th in 12:56. They finished level with Thurles Crokes on 29 points but won on a countback. In this case Moyne had Lisa Quinlan finishing 14th while the Thurles Crokes third scorer was 16,. Mooreabbey Milers were 5th club on 34 points.

Congrats to Clonmel AC on winning the Inter Club and achieving five in a row.