The club hosted the County Novice Road Championships on Sunday last and despite the frosty road conditions everything went off very smoothly. The club had a great entry of 19 athletes and well done to each and every one on their efforts on the day. 12 ladies took to the start of the 3k event which saw 39 athletes face the starter. Competing for the club for the first time since their juvenile days were sisters Louise and Susan Fogarty and what an impact both made on their senior debuts. Louise led the ladies home with a terrific run to take 5th place overall in a time of 12.16 followed by Susan in 10th finishing in a time of 12.35. Hot on their heels were Bridget Gleeson and Lorraine Healy who finished 11th and 12th respectively timed at 12.41 and 12.44. Edel Leahy was our next athlete home in 17th place timed at 13.03 with Patricia Ryan 25th in 13.48. Leah Brett finished 27th in 13.56 while Ber Spillane had a terrific run to finish 32nd in 14.12. Aisling Maher finished strongly in 34th in a time of 14.26 while Catherine Dunne finished 36th in 14.47. Liz Power finished 37th in 14.58 with Breda McNamara 38th in 15.29. Louise, Susan and Bridget combined to finish runners-up in the team competition behind Dundrum and ahead of Clonmel while Lorraine, Edel and Patricia finished 5thwith Leah, Ber and Aisling finishing 8th and Catherine, Liz and Breda 9th in the club competition. Well done to all the ladies on your great performances. In the men’s 6k event 72 athletes faced the starter with 7 of those from the club. As with all championships competition even at this level is very strong and our first athlete home was Richard Daly who finished 27th in a time of 22.40. Patrick Bowe was next home in 45th in 24.05 with Paddy Doyle, Brian Carroll and Thomas Moore all finishing within yards of each other in 48th, 49th and 50th respectively with times of 24.17, 24.23, and 24.27. Joe Leahy came through to finish 58th in 24.48 while Ray Power finished 71st in 27.59. In the team competition the club finished 10th on a score of 169pts. Well done to all the men for their very competitive performances. Both ladies and men will now be focusing on the County Intermediate Road Championships which take place on Sunday 15th February in Galbally.
