It was an historic day for this Tipperary athletics club at Cross Country Championships

The Fethard team that won the Men’s County Intermediate Cross Country title for the first time. From left, James Maher, Emmet McNamara, Fintan and Louis Rice and John Hurley

placeholder image — The Fethard team that won the Men’s County Intermediate Cross Country title for the first time. From left, James Maher, Emmet McNamara, Fintan and Louis Rice and John Hurley

Fethard AC win County Intermediate team title for first time

The County Intermediate Cross Country Championships, hosted by Moyne AC, took place last Sunday.

With Fethard AC’s juveniles and women putting in super performances with their medals haul, it was the turn of the club’s men’s team in the Intermediate cross country race.

Emmett McNamara, back after a lengthy break due to injury, was certainly shown no sympathy as Barry Harnett of Dundrum led out a blistering pace, with Emmett and Louis Rice fighting hard to stay with him. It was the Dundrum man who prevailed, coming home strongly, with Emmett McNamara in the silver medal position and Louis Rice making it two athletes in the top three for Fethard AC.

With two runners home Fethard now looked to secure a historic team win for the club and the third man home was James Maher, who came in strongly. A sight for sore eyes was the evergreen Fintan Rice, not far behind to cross the line and give Fethard AC the County Intermediate team title.

The fifth Fethard finisher was proud chairman John Hurley, who was thrilled to be part of another historic day for the club. This was the first time in the club’s history that Fethard won this event.

Fethard AC club member and Tipperary County Board Chairman Owen Fanning presented the trophy to the team.

Above: The Fethard women’s team that won the silver medals in the County Intermediate Cross Country Championships in Moyne. From left, Carol Molloy, Marie Carroll and Paula Hendriksen

After Fethard’s juveniles started proceedings with their super performance and individual medals haul, it was the turn of the women’s team in the Intermediate 5k cross country race.

The club’s women’s team of Paula Hendriksen in fifth place 24:44, Carol Molloy 10th place 26:03 and Marie Carroll 14th place 26:53 combined to win the silver medals and were part of another super Sunday for the club, securing another podium finish.

County Board Chairman and proud Fethard AC member Owen Fanning presented the women with their county medals.

Thanks are extended to Moyne AC for a wonderful day and the volunteers of the county board.