County Tipperary Novice B road titles for Edel Roche, John Ryan

Fethard Town Park was the venue last Sunday for the County Novice B Road Championships hosted by Fethard AC. Conditions were ideal.

The women’s 3k race was over two laps. Right from the start Edel Roche (Fethard AC) made her intentions known by going to the front and dictating a strong pace that soon had the field well spread out, with the chasing pack of Catherine Fogarty (Dundrum AC), Brid Hearne (Clonmel AC) and Abaigeal Maher (Fethard AC) in close attention.

Going out on the final lap Edel was well in control and was running strongly. Catherine Fogarty had moved into a clear second place, with a great tussle on for the bronze medal. At this stage Edel was well clear and made every stride a winning one as she came home a very worthy and convincing champion in 11 minutes and 30 seconds to a great applause from the local crowd.

Catherine Fogarty also ran very well, taking the silver medal in 11 mins 40 secs. The bronze medal position was decided close to the finishing line with Sareen Walsh of Clonmel AC (12 mins 01) edging in front of Brid Hearne of Clonmel AC (12:02) and Abaigeal Maher of Fethard AC (12:02).

In the team competition, with three to score, Fethard AC were crowned champions with their team of Edel, Abigail and Paula Hendricksen, who was sixth in 12 mins 11 secs.

The silver medals were won by the Dundrum trio of Catherine Fogarty, Emily Leahy ninth (12:50) and Mairead Julian 10th in 12:53.

The bronze medals were won by the Thurles Crokes team of Deirdre Ryan eighth (12:32), Regina Dorney 11th (13:16) and Joan Stakelum 12th in 13:20.

This was a first win by a Fethard AC athlete in this competition so congratulations to Edel Roche, who also led the club team to a first-ever success in this event.

The first three men in the County Novice B Road Championship race at Fethard Town Park on Sunday last. From left: Eugene O’Keeffe, Carrick-on-Suir AC, John Ryan, Dundrum AC and Gerry O’Neill, Dundrum AC

MEN’S RACE
The Men’s 6k race over four laps was also very competitive, with 27 athletes going to the start. John Ryan of Dundrum AC was determined to win this race and he set out his stall early by going from the whistle. At the end of the first lap he was still leading and looking strong, with the chasing pack 20 metres adrift. That chasing pack included Eugene O’Keeffe Carrick-on-Suir, Gerry O’Neill of Dundrum AC, Michael Gleeson of Templemore AC and Denis McCullagh of Thurles Crokes.

As the race unfolded the placings more or less stayed the same, with John Ryan running well and in control. John kept the tempo going and came home a very worthy and convincing champion in 21 mins 1 sec to great applause from an appreciative crowd.

Over the final mile, Eugene O’Keeffe moved into second place, and he maintained that strong pace to win the silver in 21 mins 33 secs. Then inside the final 800 metres Gerry O’Neill made his move and ran on well to win the bronze in 21 mins 43 secs.
Denis McCullagh Thurles Crokes was fourth (21:55), Ian Martin Templemore fifth (21:57) and Michael Gleeson Templemore sixth (22:02).

With three to score, Dundrum AC, having two athletes in the top three, were convincing club champions with John, Gerry and Darren Allison ninth (22:13).

Templemore AC won the silver with Ian, Martin and Michael O’Brien 13th (22:34). The Thurles Crokes trio of Denis, Peter Maher 14th (22:48) and Liam McCullagh 18th (23:40) won the bronze.

This team success by Dundrum AC has seen them add this club title to the County Novice Men, County Intermediate Men, County Senior Men and County Senior Women, with the west Tipp Club enjoying great success in the road championships.
At the presentation , county chairman, Owen Fanning, thanked the host club for promoting two great events, and all the clubs and athletes for supporting the championships.