Ruby Carroll strikes gold in County Novice Road Championships in Tipperary
Women's race attracts best entry in a long time
The County Tipperary Road Championships got underway in Lisvernane with the Novice event. Both the women’s and men’s races attracted both quality and quantity and the spectators experienced two great races.
The women’s 3k race saw 57 athletes go to the start line, the best entry for quite some time. The race started and soon the pace was set by a group that included the Clonmel AC duo of Ruby Carroll and Amanda Moroney, as well as Nikki Kenneally of Moycarkey Coolcroo and Laura Earley of Fethard AC.
At around halfway Ruby made her move, going clear of the rest of the pack with Laura Earley in pursuit. As they turned back into the village Ruby had increased her lead and she maintained that strong pace all the way to win the County Novice Road title impressively in 10 minutes 37 seconds, with Laura running on strongly to win the silver medal in 10 minutes 43 seconds.
Then over the closing stages Amanda Moroney of Clonmel AC proved the strongest to win the bronze medal in 10 minutes 54 seconds, brilliant performances all round.
This was a brilliant performance by Ruby, who has made the transition from Juvenile ranks to Senior ranks seem effortless.
Nikki Kenneally, Moycarkey Coolcroo AC was fourth in 11 minutes 11 seconds. Carol Molloy Fethard AC was fifth in 11 minutes 30 seconds and in sixth place was Elaine Morrissey Clonmel AC in 11 minutes 45 seconds.
In the team event, with three to score, Clonmel were crowned champions with their team of Ruby, Amanda and Elaine, thus regaining the title they last won in 2023.