Wins for O’Doherty and Hunter in Coillte 10K Dundrum
Wednesday 1st July the Coillte 10k road race was ran for the 30th consquetive year. On a beautiful sunny evening a entry of 249 athletes went to the start line including 15 athletes in the Junior 5K.
Appropriately enough with Coillte the main sponsor Minister for Forestry Mr Tom Hayes blew the whistle to set the field on their way. The early leaders were led by Stephen Hunter St Michaels, Declan Moore Bilboa, Danny Smith Ballynonty, James Liddane B.M.O.H, Kevin Moore Dundrum, Liam Shanahan Thurles Crokes and the two Laois Masters Roibeard Miller Ballyfin and James McCormack Portlaoise. At halfway the former Clonmel athlete Stephen was out in front and looking good with the rest of the field in Indian file behind. Seven times senior winner and Junior record holder Siobhan O’Doherty Borrisokane was well clear in the women’s race and mixing it with the leading men. On the second lap Stephen increased his lead and was full of running as he came home a impressive winner in a time of 32:51 to add a new name to the 30 winners of the race. Declan ran a great race to match his second placing in the recent Bilboa his own club’s 10k in 33:34 .The ever consistent Danny Smith had another great race to match his position of 3rd last year in 33:43. In the process Danny also won the Tim Crowe trophy for the fourth time for been the first Tipperary athlete over the line. The trophy been presented to Danny after the race by Dominic Moore who himself finished 3rd in the first race 30 years ago. James ran on well for 4th in 34:42 while last year’s winner Kevin kept the home flag flying in 5th in 34:46 with the ever improving Liam 6thin 35:10.
In the Masters categories the two Laois men ran on well with Roibeard Miller winning the over 40 section in 34:49 and James McCormack winning the over 45 section in 34:56.The over 50 section was won in style by Mike Curley Cunningham Mooreabbey Milers in 35:35.In the over 55 section. Six times winner of the Senior race Michael Hassett made a dramatic return to the over 55 section to come home a clear first in 35:51 and in the process knock over 2 minutes off the old record. The over 60 section also had a good winner in Jim O’Sullivan from Tipp town in 41:34.
Siobhan who won a bronze medal as part of the Irish team at the last European Cross Country championships had a great race to come home a clear winner in 35:15 with Dymphna Ryan Dundrum keeping the home flag flying with a good run for second in 40:50. Michelle Keenan made the trip from Ballyroan for 3rd in 41:09. Another Dundrum athlete Catherine Kelly ran a solid race for 4thin 42:49,Angela Fogarty Moyne had a great run for 5th in 44:20 with Jacqueline Hughes Thurles Crokes 6th 44:41.
In the Master categories Kate Kennedy Templemore was first over 35 in 44:24.Stephine Johnson Clonmel had a good win in over 40 in 43:42.While Deirdre Finn made the trip from Derg AC for a great win over 45 in 43:10. Eileen Carey continued a good night for Thurles Crokes with first over 50 in 50:40.Bernie Prendergast West Waterford took first over 55 in 47 :51
The Junior 5k men was won by Aaron Quigley Nenagh in 17:29 with Jack Moore Moyne second in 18:00 and Michael Boland Dundrum 3rd in 18:06.While the women’s race was won by 17 year old Eimear Loughman Dundrum in a great time of 20:53 followed by Nuala Fitzgibbon Thurles Crokes in 23:01.Congrats to all who competed.
Results & Photos in
this previous post.
