Carrick-on-Suir AC's Dermot Gorman 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.

MEN’S RACE
The men’s race was also a very competitive affair. Here the 6k race started and after the initial charge a group of five athletes set the pace as they pass the Moyne AC club house with one lap to go.

The leading pack included the Moycarkey Coolcroo duo of Conor Keating and Matthew Ryan, Conor Flaherty of Clonmel AC, Eamon Morrissey of Dundrum AC and the champion Dermot Gorman of Carrick-on-Suir AC.

Then just before midway Dermot and Eamon went clear with Conor in close attention. As they approached the 5k mark Eamon upped the tempo and opened a gap. However, Dermot used all his experience and gradually reeled him in and as they approached the Moyne track with 300m to go Dermot had reversed the placings and kept that strong pace going to become worthy champion in 19 mins 37 secs.

Eamon took the silver 19 mins 47 secs, great running.

Conor Flaherty just graduated from the juvenile ranks put in a brilliant performance when winning the bronze medal very convincingly in 20 mins 13 secs, brilliant to see such talent emerging from the juvenile ranks.

For the record Conor Keating of Moycarkey Coolcroo was 4th in 20 mins 30 secs with his club mates Tom O’Dwyer 5th in 20 mins 47secs and Matthew Ryan 6th in 21 mins 8 secs.

In the team event Moycarkey Coolcroo AC created Club history when winning their first County Road Club title with their 4th scorer Sean Healy finishing 16th in 21 mins 55 secs. Brilliant to see this distinguished club back competing well again at Senior level.

The silver medals were won by the Clonmel AC quarter of Conor Flaherty, Cormac Healy 10th 21:29, Joey Feery 11th 21:33 and Conor Fleming 13th 21:41.

The Dundrum AC team of Eamon Morrissey, Gerry O’Neill 19th 22:09, Derek O’Brien 23rd 22:33 and Darren Allison 26th in 22:27, on 70 points, won the bronze medals.

Thurles Crokes were 4th on 72 points, Carrick on Suir were 5th on 73 points, Mooreabbey Milers were 6th on 119 points, Fethard AC were 7th club on 131 points, Moyne were 8th on 136 points and Templemore were 9th on 137 points.

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