Tipperary Masters athlete Fintan Rice creates history for Fethard AC

Above: Fintan Rice, running barefoot, created club history for Fethard AC by winning the Over 60 title at the National Masters and Intermediate Cross Country Championships in Westport, County Mayo. In doing so he became the first national champion for Fethard AC under AAI rules

The National Masters and Intermediate Cross Country Championships took place in Westport in demanding conditions.

In the Master Women’s race Patricia Ryan of Dundrum AC ran very well when finishing 63rd in 17 mins 57 secs, with Sareen Walsh of Clonmel AC 71st in 18 mins 21 secs and Sarah Whelan of Clonmel AC 77th in 18 mins 39 secs in a very competitive race, where there were 131 finishers.

In the Master Men Over 65 event Jim St John of Clonmel AC ran very well when finishing 11th in 18 mins 20 secs.

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In the Master Men Over 35 event there was a very strong entry.

Here Fintan Rice of Fethard AC ran a brilliant race when winning the Over 60 event and he was crowned National Master Men Over 60 Cross Country Champion when finishing in 27 mins 45 secs, a fantastic achievement.

Fintan created a piece of club history, as he is the first national champion for Fethard AC under AAI rules.

Fintan renewed his interest in cross country a few years ago when he got involved in his local club Fethard AC.

Earlier in his career he participated in many achievements with Clonmel AC. In the last few years he and his family have hosted the County Masters Cross Country Championships, for which the County Board are indebted to them.

There were other good performances in this race including Christopher Aylward of Clonmel AC finishing 41st in 25 mins 51 secs, Patrick Davoren Clonmel AC 60th in 26 mins 42 secs, Eugene O’Keeffe, Carrick-on-Suir AC 72nd in 27 mins 33 secs, Trevor Whelan Clonmel AC 102nd in 28 mins 47 secs, Willie O’Donoghue, Mooreabbey Milers 116th in 29 mins 24 secs, Conor Fleming Clonmel AC 123rd in 29 mins 49 secs, Damien Holian Mooreabbey Milers 140th in 30 mins 59 secs and Michael Moore Dundrum AC 154th in 33 mins 14 secs.

The County Over 50 team finished fifth overall.

On a day of great performances, the standout achievement was that of Fintan Rice of Fethard AC winning the Over 60 National Cross Country Championship title.

These championships brought the curtain down on the cross country season.

The County Road season gets underway on March 9 when all roads will lead to Boherlahan for the County Novice Road Championships, hosted by Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC.