Tipperary's Sean Tobin stuns top class field to win today's National Senior 10K title

Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) on his way to winning the MSD 4-Mile St Stephen's Day Run in 2023 in Clonmel.

placeholder image — Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) on his way to winning the MSD 4-Mile St Stephen's Day Run in 2023 in Clonmel.

Clonmel AC's Sean Tobin pulled off a huge victory earlier today (Sunday) when capturing the National Senior 10K Championship at Dunboyne, county Meath.

The men's race included the top three placed finishers from the recent Streets of Portlaoise 5k which took place on St Patrick’s Day. Pierre Murchan (DCH) was first home on that occasion, crossing the 5k finish in a winning time of 14.24 ahead of Emmet Jennings (DSD) and Eoin Everard (Kilkenny Cith Harriers).

Other fancied to contend for podium places were Mitchell Byrne (Rathfarnham WSAF AC) has also been in flying form in recent weeks, taking the win at the Tallaght 5K in 15.03, while marathon maestro Martin Hoare (Celbridge AC) was back to winning ways at the recent half marathon in Bohermeen (1:06:49).

And while Sean Tobin might have been overlooked by some in the pre-race predictions, the former Ole Mississippi graduate, stunned everyone to come home in a hot time of 29 minutes and 17 seconds. Second place went to Pierre Murchan, three seconds behind, with Emmet Jennings taking third place in 29:44.

Colm Rooney in 30:16 and Eoghan McElhinny in 30:23 completed the top five finishers.

Today's win will come as a huge boost for the Clonmel athlete as he continues his preparation for the London Marathon along with fellow clubmates William Maunsell and David Mansfield. That race will take place on Sunday, April 21, with all three hoping for big PB times. With marathon tickets for the Paris Olympics in July up for grabs, Sean Tobin, in particular, will be hoping he can post a time to get him on the plane.

Congratulations also to Clonmel AC's Laura Cooney who won the County Novice 3km in Moyne today also.