Great performances from Tipperary athletes at the Munster U23 and Novice Cross Country

The Munster Junior and Novice Cross Country Championships took place last Sunday in Coolaclare, county Clare. Conditions were very good, with sunny weather for the athletes who competed over a very good cross country course.

JUNIOR WOMEN’S RACE
In the Junior women’s race, Laura Cooney of Clonmel ran a brilliant race when winning the bronze medal in 20 mins 40 secs. Laura went out with the early pace and was well in contention throughout. Laura should be delighted with this, her debut performance, at this event. We also saw good running from Meabh Meegan, also of Clonmel AC, who was 34th in 27 mins 40 secs and she is eligible for this event again next year.

JUNIOR MEN’S RACE
The next event on the programme was the Junior Men’s race. Here there were some great performances from the Nenagh Olympic contingent. Luke Purcell ran a brilliant race when winning the silver medal in 16 mins 17 secs. Then we had the glorious sight of three Nenagh Olympic vests coming through strongly in the top seven placings with Diarmuid Moloney fifth (16:38), Daniel Ryan Ellis sixth (16:48) and Cian Hodgins seventh (16:53).
With four to score in the inter club event, Nenagh Olympic were very worthy champions with four athletes in the top seven, awesome. We also saw great running from Conor Flaherty of Clonmel 14th (17:24), Jamie Moloney of Nenagh Olympic 27th (18:17), Thomas Bergin Nenagh Olympic 30th (18:35), Ben Walshe Nenagh Olympic 45th (20:11), who is still eligible in 2024.

NOVICE AND Under 23 WOMEN’S RACE
The Munster Novice and Under 23 women’s 5k race was also a very competitive race. Niamh Cunneen of Nenagh Olympic ran a brilliant race when finishing third overall to win the Munster Novice bronze and the under 23 silver medal in 19 mins 55 secs. Niamh went with the leaders and midway through the race moved into the silver medal position and maintained a strong pace to finish second overall.
We also saw some great performances from athletes like Suzanne Shine Clonmel 18th (22:05), Karen Coughlan Dundrum 23rd (22:55) and Sareen Walsh Clonmel 26th (23:02). This quartet combined very well to win the inter-county bronze medals. We also saw great running from athletes like Sarah Whelan Clonmel 28th (23:11) and Edel Delaney Moyne 40th (24:33).

NOVICE AND UNDER 23 MEN’S RACE
The final race on the programme was the Munster Men Under 23 and Novice Cross Country Championships. James Tanner of Nenagh Olympic underlined his good form when going out with the leading group for most of the race. Then over the final 2k he moved into the silver medal positions and despite a few late challenges over the final 400m, held on to win the Munster Under 23 gold medal, as well as the Munster Novice silver medal when finishing in 20 mins 57 secs.
We also saw good performances from athletes like Barry Hartnett Dundrum 12th (21:55), Denis McCullough Thurles Crokes 42nd (24:18), Willie O’Donoghue Mooreabbey Milers 45th (24:46), Jim Halley Dundrum 60th (26:28), Liam McCullough Thurles Crokes 64th (27:32) and Michael Moore Dundrum 67th (28:48). The county team were fourth, just 14 points off the bronze.