Revitalised flagship Tipperary athletics event returns in style - Fethard 'Walls' Road Race

The Walls of Fethard 5k Road Race 

Fethard Athletic Club which reformed in 2021 were delighted to re-establish its flagship race last Thursday night, May 25, historically called “The Walls of Fethard.” Due to the generosity of the many businesses the club were able to attract a top class field of athletes, club and fun runners who are the backbone of any race. 

There were Prize Categories for 1st 3 Men , 1st 3 Women , 1st local Man, 1st local Woman, Wheelchair Category , 1st Juvenile Male, 1st Juvenile Female, 1st Junior Male,1st Junior Female The club also catered for all master category prizes equally for both Men and Women, plus numerous spot prizes.

Refreshments were provided after the event in the Fethard Ballroom and our members did not let us down. There was an array of delicious well deserved treats for the finishers and volunteers after the race. All our athletes brought treats,cakes and supported the race committee. 

The newly formed Fethard Athletic Club Road Race committee has done Trojan work and were delighted that so many athletes travelled to take part.

Fethard AC and the Race Committee wish to extend our immense gratitude to everyone that made ‘The Walls’ such a great success this year.  Thanks to all the many volunteers, far too many to mention but everyone was a star in their own right. Thanks also to all the participants, for making the atmosphere electric which brought our wonderful community out in force to support the 182 runners and walkers. A huge thanks to the ever dependable First Responders, Gardaí and to everyone who helped in any way. 

The organisers were delighted to welcome a top class field in both the men’s and women’s races with a very exciting finish to the men’s race. A titanic battle for the victory developed between Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC and Clonmel AC athlete Evan Fitzgerald. Both men exchanged the lead a number of times in the final kilometre before Somba got the decisive edge in the closing straight, winning in a very competitive time for the course of 15.22 with Fitzgerald one second behind.

They were joined on the podium by Killian Lynch of West Limerick AC in 16.05.

The women’s race was won by Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC in her usual commanding fashion in an excellent time for this course of 17.23, followed strongly by the ever consistent Kealey Tideswell Clonmel A.C in 18.03 while the third  women to emerge for a very good women’s race was Eileen McCullagh of Thurles Crokes. 

Great to have Jerry Ford win his category in the wheelchair section. 

Big well done to all the category prize winners and to all who ran and walked in this years race.

Fethard AC finishers

For the Fethard AC members the first athlete home was one of our race committee members, Louis Rice, who’s finished in a time of 16.56 a great return for his hard work in training, he was followed home by James Maher clocking 18.14, we then had our race committee chairman Fintan Rice in 18.24 and John Needham finished in a time of 19.17. 

Our first woman home was Edel Roche who placed as 1st local woman finisher in 20.35. Kevin O’ Meara was home in 21.28 followed by Billy Prout in 23.26, Billy who is no stranger to road racing and great to see him back. We then had more of our newest members competing for the Club with Paula Hendriksen home in 24.40, Carol Molloy in 25.37 , Tina Phelan 29.33, Margaux Vanbelle 30.27 , Mary Maher and Teresa Hurley ran 30.29 and 30.35 respectively and also brought lovely treats for the runners to enjoy thank you for that ladies. We were also well represented by Barbara Gunn in a time of 34.48.

We were thrilled to see so many of our past members also take part in the race. 

Race committee members led by our Run Director John, Lorraine, Ed, Owen, Tony and Susan ensured the smooth running  of the event on the night while our fellow race committee members ran. Thanks again to all who made it such a successful event. We are already looking forward to 2024 where we hope to grow this event further. 

We are always open and welcoming to new members or if you are a lapsed member and  need to renew your membership you can contact Lorraine fethardac@gmail.com