Epsom Derby winning jockey minus the horse helps Tipperary to cross country silver medals

The google maps were all set on Gowran Demesne, county Kilkenny on Sunday last , as Athletics Ireland held their flagship event the National Cross Country Championships. Fethard AC had two senior athletes Emmet McNamara and Louis Rice fresh off their fantastic performances in the Munsters Seniors the previous weekend now ready to mix it with the best of the club athletes in Ireland.

After a week of very heavy rain the course conditions were extremely soft underfoot. The magnificent attendance however were fortunate in that the weather stayed relatively dry for the whole day’s fantastic schedule of championship cross country racing.

Those fighting for championship honours and European Cross Country selection were going to have to be at their very best to book their places to Brussels and that is certainly how it materialised as the cream of Irish middle distance running set a blistering pace through the first lap.

With such a fantastic pace being set it was inevitable that the field would be strung out across the Gowran Demesne landscape. The eventual winner Cormac Dalton of Mullingar Harriers led the field home in a blaze of glory followed closely by Kevin Mulcaire of Ennis Track and Hugh Armstrong of Ballina.

For Louis and Emmet this was their debut at the level though Emmet, a winning Epsom Derby jockey had experienced the Gowran turf before on horseback. Both lads performed like seasoned athletes, never waning from their task. They exchanged places several times as they picked their way through the 220 strong field.

The previous Sunday Emmet and Louis were part of a Tipperary team that won gold in Munster. This time the Tipperary team of Tobin 19th, Ciobanu 40th, Maunsell 42nd, Moore 72nd, McNamara 116th and Rice 123rd won National Silver Medals for County Tipperary in the B section Inter County. 

Very well done to all six athletes and a huge congratulations to Emmet and Louis your focus and dedication to your running is truly admirable and you are both excellent role models for your club mates.