Niamh Cunneen is Tipperary Women's Novice Cross Country Champion

1st 3 women – Emma Murray Clonmel AC, Naimh Cunneen Nenagh Olympic AC and Catherine Fogarty Dundrum AC

placeholder image — 1st 3 women – Emma Murray Clonmel AC, Naimh Cunneen Nenagh Olympic AC and Catherine Fogarty Dundrum AC

The county cross country season got under way in earnest in Galbally last Sunday with the Novice Cross Country Championships down for decision. The local club, Mooreabbey Milers, as usual had a very good course well laid out. Conditions were relatively good, considering all the rain we had in the previous week. Warm sunshine greeted the athletes as they descended on the village under the shadow of the Galtee mountains, which provided a spectacular background view to the whole proceedings.

We witnessed two very good races, and it was great to see some new faces in both races and major credit is due to the clubs for encouraging these members to compete in cross country. With some of them winning medals for their clubs, it augurs well for the future. We had athletes representing ten clubs and entries were very good for both races. We had quality as well as quantity and long may it continue. It was a day when youth came to the fore in both races.

WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s race the early pace was set by Emma Murray of Clonmel and the eventual winner Niamh Cunneen of Nenagh Olympic. It was only on the third lap of the four-lap race that Niamh moved well clear to win very impressively, with Emma taking the silver medal. It was great to see these two athletes emerge from the juvenile ranks and start their senior careers with two very good performances. Then we had Catherine Fogarty of Dundrum taking the bronze medal with a very good performance.

Sarah Whelan of Clonmel was fourth, Edel Roche of Fethard was fifth and Edel Delaney of Moyne was sixth.

In the team event Clonmel retained the team title with their team of Emma, Sarah and Marina Quinlan, who was ninth. Then we had Fethard AC making a very welcome return to competition, winning the silver medals with their team of Edel Roche, Paula Hendriksen, eighth and Carol Molloy 18th. The bronze medals were won by the Moyne AC team of Edel Delaney, Aisling Maher 12th and Lisa Quinlan 16th.

It was great to see Fethard AC back competing in the sport and they made their mark, none more so than in the men’s race.