Wins for Fitzmaurice and O’Connor at Coillte 10k

Last Wednesday, 2nd July, saw a record entry of 475 athletes for the 40th annual Coillte 10k Road Race in Dundrum.

With the sun shining, the picturesque village was set for a great evening of racing for the large crowd in attendance.

Starter Dominic Moore, who finished third in the very first race back in 1986, blew the whistle to set the large field on their way. Soon, a group of seven athletes all from different clubs were gone clear at the front. This group of Karl Fitzmaurice (Shannon), Kenneth Rogers (St John’s), Declan Moore (Bilboa), Cathal Lombard (Leevale), Brendan Neary (Moycarkey/Coolcroo), Tadgh O’Sullivan (Bweeng Trail Blazers) and Joshua Burgess (Lewes AC) who finished third last year making his second trip from the south of England.

Back into the village after one lap of the two-lap course and all the above were still grouped together and working off each other. In the women’s race at this stage, former winner Sinead O’Connor from the Leevale club in Cork was running a great race out in front followed by local athlete Dymphna Ryan, Dee Grady (Ennis) and last year’s winner Niamh O’Mahony from the An Riocht club in Kerry.

The pace was relentless out on the second lap and then coming into the last kilometre Karl Fitzmaurice made a decisive move to get away and Joshua Burgess tried to go with him, but the Clare man got clear for a great win and a new winners name in a cracking time of 30:57.

Burgess held off the chasing pack for second place in a time of 31:03. Next, we had two former winners Kenneth Rogers (3rd) and Declan Moore (4th) with Cathal Lombard fifth and Brendan Neary sixth, just missing out on the prizes but he had the honour of winning the Tim Crowe Trophy for the first Tipperary athlete to finish. The trophy presented to him by its instigator Dominic Moore.

The women’s race was also a battle to the line with Sinead O’Connor’s relentless running out the second lap bringing her home for a super victory in a great time of 34:40 with Dymphna Ryan just fifteen seconds behind in a personal best of 34:55.

Dee Grady and Niamh O’Mahony took 3rd and 4th positions respectively while the final fifth prize was won by Sharon Rynne (Leevale).

The master’s prizes as always were keenly contested across most of the categories. In the men’s section, Dermot O’Gorman (Carrick-on-Suir) was a clear winner in the Over 40 category in an impressive time of 32:33 from Gareth Murran (Sportsworld). Paul Cashman (Watergrasshill 34:38) took first Over 45 from Derek Kiely (Limerick). Kieran McKeown (Grange Fermoy 35:30) took first Over 50 from Coillte main sponsor employee Stephen Moore from the An Riocht club. Eugene O’Keeffe (Carrick-on-Suir) 37:12 was also an impressive winner of the Over 55 category. Fintan Rice (Fethard) knocked a whopping 55 seconds off the Over 60 record to set a record time of 37:17. Sam O’Meara (Templemore 43:29) was first Over 65 while James O’Sullivan (Tipperary Town 46:18) a great supporter of the race over the years was first Over 70.

In the Women category prizes; Caroline Hassett (Templemore 38:50) was first Over 40 from Pamela Kirby (Bilboa). Two St Finbarr’s athletes dominated the Over 45 category with Niamh Cronin 39:56 first from her clubmate Katie Hickson. Marcella McGrath (Dooneen 43:25) was first Over 50 from Michelle Doherty (Clonmel). Denise Compton (Dundrum 47:56) kept the home colours flying when first Over 55. Kathleen Cronin (Mallow 49:54) was first Over 60 while Martina Donnelly (Templemore 70:49) battled around the course to win the Over 65 category.

The junior 5k race one lap ran with the senior race had a youthful field of 19 athletes. Last year’s runner’s up, local club athlete 14-year-old Albert Maher (17:06 Dundrum) was first, knocking 50 seconds off his time. Jack Browne (Knockcarron 17:38) was second while in the girl’s race Neasa Moloney (Mooreabbey Milers 20:37) was first from Katelyn Shanahan (Dundrum).

The main sponsor of the race, Coillte, were represented by area manager Kevin Keogh who presented all the prizes to the winners after the race.