Individual and team gold for Louis and Dundrum at Tipperary's Men's Novice Road

Moyne was the venue last Sunday for the opening events of this year’s County Road season, with the County Novice Road titles for both women and men down for decision. While there was a wintry chill to the weather the athletes coped very well, and we witnessed two very good races.

The Men’s 6k also attracted a very good entry, with over sixty athletes going to the start line, representing ten clubs. Inside the initial 500 metres a group of five athletes were dictating the pace. The group included the Dundrum AC duo of Barry Hartnett and Philly O’Dwyer, Jamie Moloney of Nenagh Olympic, Matthew Ryan of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC and the champion, Louis Rice of Fethard AC.

Going out on the final lap Louis Rice was setting a strong pace, with Matthew and Jamie in close pursuit. At this stage Louis was gradually opening a lead on the chasing pack and by halfway he was well in control. Louis maintained that strong pace and he was well clear as the race entered the final 400 metres. He kept it going all the way to the line to win his first county senior title in impressive fashion in a very good time of 19 mins 15 secs.

Then we had Matthew Ryan of Moycarkey Coolcroo winning the silver medal in 19 mins 38 secs and Jamie Moloney of Nenagh Olympic winning the bronze in 19 mins 57 secs, brilliant running all round.

Dundrum AC had the next three finishers with Barry Hartnett fourth (20:10), Philly O’Dwyer fifth (20:19) and Tom O’Connell sixth (20:28). At this stage Dundrum were looking very impressive club champions and with Gerry O’Neill finishing ninth (21:32), they won the gold medals and won back this cup for the very first time since 2015, when their winning team included Willie O’Dwyer, Michael Ryan, Colm Bradshaw and Michael J Ryan.

The silver medals last Sunday were won by the Fethard AC quartet of Louis, James Maher 13th (21:48), Joseph Morgan 20th (20:39) and Jack Spillane 22nd (20:54).

The bronze medals were won by the Thurles Crokes team of Liam Shanahan seventh (20:38), Denis McCullagh 11th (21:44), Ger O’Toole 25th (23:13) and Peter Maher 31st (23:42). It was brilliant to see a club like Thurles Crokes once again making their mark at senior level.

At the presentation of the Awards, County Chairperson Owen Fanning thanked Moyne AC for once again having everything in place for what were two very good championship races and a brilliant way to start the new County Road season. He also thanked the clubs for getting their athletes out competing and such participation augurs well for the sport in the county.