Tipperary athletes strike gold at Munster Senior Roads Championships

Quilty, county Clare was the venue last Sunday for the Munster Road Championships. Conditions were good and competition was very keen. Both the women’s and men’s races were over four miles, and they all went off together.

MEN’S RACE

At the front of affairs, a group of three athletes set the pace; Rory Chesser of Ennis, Kenneth Rogers of St John’s and Kevin Moore of Dundrum. Then just around halfway, Kevin made his winning move, when increasing the pace, and soon opened a nice lead. He maintained that strong tempo over an undulating course to come home a very worthy and convincing champion in 20 mins 11 secs.

This was a brilliant run by Kevin and this was his second time capturing this coveted title, while finishing runner-up on two other occasions, great consistency.

These races also catered for the Masters Championships. Here Eugene O’Keeffe ran a superb race when winning the over 50 silver medal in 23 mins 46 secs. Tom Blackburn, Mooreabbey Milers, was crowned Munster over 55 champion when finishing in 23 mins 59 secs, with Conor Fleming of Clonmel capturing the bronze medal in 24 mins 6 secs. Willie O’Donoghue of Mooreabbey Milers won the over 60 gold medal in 24 mins. These were brilliant performances.

We also had great running from athletes like Derek Breen Dundrum 39th (24:45), Damien Holian 48th (25:36), Paudie Coen Dundrum 59th (26:11), Patrick Bowe Moyne 64th (26:18) and Jim Halley Dundrum 72nd (26:46).

Here the county over 50 team of Eugene O’Keeffe 28th (23:46), Tom Blackburn 31st (23:59), Willie O’Donoghue 32nd (24:00) and Conor Fleming 36th (24:06) won the inter-county silver medals.

WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s race Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum went out strongly and inside the first mile had opened a lead on the chasing pack. She maintained that strong pace all the way to the line to win her third Munster Senior road title in a row with a very impressive performance in 22 mins 56 secs.