Bobby Fitzgerald Accounting Faugheen 5k
The 2014 OutfieldSports.ie Three Counties Challenge got off to the perfect start on Friday evening last in the beautiful village of Faugheen when 168 runners lined up for the second annual Bobby Fitzgerald Accounting 5k road race. This series, now in its eighth year, takes in races over distances from 5k to 10k in the three neighbouring counties of Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny. The forecast heavy rain held off for the race and runners made the most of the perfect conditions on a very flat, fast course with many personal best times being set. As the field entered the village for the first time after about 1.5 km, Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) and Niall Sheil (St. Killians) had already moved to the front and the Clonliffe athlete pulled clear over the second half of the race for a clear-cut victory. Sergiu's winning time of 15:02 was a new course record, eclipsing the 15:17 set by Sandis Bralitis in last year's inaugural Faugheen 5k. Niall Sheil ran very well to take second place in 15:35 and Stuart Maloney (Moore Abbey Milers) took third prize in 15:55. Carrick AC's first finisher was Pat O' Sullivan whose fifteenth place finish in 17:04 earned him first prize in the O/45 category. The ladies' race was won in emphatic fashion by Siobhan O' Doherty (Borrisokane) in a time of 17:10 which was also a new course record. Siobhan led from the early stages of the race and never looked like relinquishing her lead at any stage. There was a great battle for second place with Carrick AC's Claire Annan (17:55) getting the better of a sprint finish with Maria McCarthy (Farranfore Maine Valley). Last year's winner, Martina O' Dwyer (Carrick AC) finished right on their heels in fourth place.
Carrick AC would like to thank all who helped to make the race such a resounding success. We are particularly grateful to Bobby Fitzgerald for the generous race sponsorship by Fitzgerald Accounting, Carrick-on-Suir. The club would also like to thank Alan Treacy of Outfield Sports, Carrick-on-Suir, for the continued sponsorship of the overall series for the past eight years. Our friends in Carrick-on-Suir Red Cross were once again on hand to provide the vital medical and ambulance services for the race and we are very grateful to Finola Walsh and the team for their assistance. Kevin O' Dee and his team of stewards ensured the safety of all over the race route and we are also very grateful to the Bartley family for providing parking facilities for the event. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped with parking, registration and results. The post-race refreshments and prize-giving in Flemings Bar were greatly enjoyed by all and thanks to Margaret Fleming for looking after everybody so well and to Elaine Walsh for providing the wonderful food.
The second race in this year's series will be the O' Neill Pharmacy Tom Jordan Memorial 5-mile race in Portlaw, Co. Waterford on Friday, 9th May at 7:30pm.
Faugheen 5k winners:
Senior Men ; 1. Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) 15:02 2. Niall Sheil (St. Killians) 15:35 3. Stuart Maloney (Moore Abbey Milers) 15:55
O/40 : David Ryan (Clonmel AC) 16:02
O/45: Pat O' Sullivan (Carrick AC) 17:04
O/50 : Derek Nolan (Clonmel AC) 17:52
O/55 : Jim St John (Clonmel AC) 20:26
O/60 : Joe Gough ( West Waterford AC) 17:57
Junior : Simon Dennonnain 17:46
Senior Ladies :
1. Siobhan O' Doherty (Borrisokane) 17:10 2. Claire Annan (Carrick AC) 17:53 3. Maria McCarthy (Farranfore Maine Valley) 17:56
O/35 : Martina O' Dwyer (Carrick AC) 17:59
O/40 : Suzanne Dallaghan (Waterford AC) 19:36
O/45 : Onra Power (West Waterford AC) 24:28
O/50 : Maura O' Neill (Carrick AC) 23:07
O/55 : Assumpta Kirwan 25:02
Junior : Leanne O' Hara 25:39
Spring into Training for Portlaw
The club's spring training programme will move to Portlaw for the next two Tuesday evenings ( April 29th and May 6th). This will give runners a chance to familiarise themselves with the brand new course for this year's Portlaw 5-mile race on Friday, 9th May. The group will meet outside The Forge Bar at 7 pm and all are welcome.
Easter Bunny Fun Run
Well done to Carrick AC member, Brian Murphy, on his victory at the Easter Bunny 5-mile run in Waterford on Easter Sunday. Brian came home in a time of 26:13 ahead of Trevor Power (Waterford AC).