Dec 02 The Waterford Half
The Waterford half marathon has proved popular with many of our club members for many years now. This year, despite the bitter cold, was no exception as some forty club members challenged themselves over the distance and hoping to achieve a better time this year. The first of the men home was Denis Vasiljevs, an M40, in 1.20.04. Clare Dermody, an F40, was our first lady finisher. Her time was 1.27.31. Full results are available on my run results.
Dec 01 The Medieval Mile
Despite the frosty night large numbers turned out for the annual Medieval Mile to be part of Kilkenny’s Yulefest. The race course from the military barracks to the Parade is now a well recognised course. KCH had in excess of thirty athletes in the competitive section with none more competitive than Cathal O’Reilly who was first across the finish line in 4.30. Not far behind him were James Ledingham (4.33) and Padraig Ruane (4.52) in 4th and 9th places respectively. Clodagh O’Callagan (5.38) was our first female home and she also scored second place in the junior female section. Our first junior male home was Conor Ryan in 5.28 followed by Daire O’Flaherty in 5.53. Many thanks to all who contributed to the event – popupraces for entries and results, the runners, the volunteers, the committee, the sponsors and especially Trust Mtinsi and Jim Langton.
Nov 26 B Counties etc in Graiguenamanagh
KCH were well represented by the younger juveniles at the B Even Counties cross country in Graiguenamanagh today. There were team medals for both boys and girls under 10 teams – Gold for the girls and silver for the boys. Nancy Lyons Teehan led the girls home in second place. Winter Rose Molloy 4th and Evie Behan 11th brought the team score to a winning 17 points. Massive backup was provided by Caoimhe Malone, Molly Clarke, Robyn Lyons Teehan, Ellie Costelloe, Issabelle Hoyne, Emma Walsh, Esme Croft, Ava McGrath, Cliodhna NcKenna, Molly Reynolds. The boys had Dylan Guilfoyle winning individual bronze and with Charlie Norris 6th and Issac Burns 7th the team score of 16 points earned them team silver, just one point ahead of Thomastown.
The under 12 girls were very unlucky. Finishing on 45 points and tied with Barrow Harriers also on 45 KCH lost out on countback. Team scorers were Casey Cleere, Aoibhe Walsh and Ellie Millea. Tom Hardiman placed 6th in boys under 12.
At under 14 there were more individual medal winners with Amelia O’Brien taking the silver in the girls race and Aidan Malone winning bronze in the boys race.
In the adult races it was a case of one, two in the Novice B with gold for Meghan McCarty and silver for Oonagh Guilfoyle. In the men’s O/45 Graeme Bourne took individual gold and led the team into second place. Other scorers were Andy Hanrahan and Alan Mahon. Well done all.
Nov 25 Harriers on the Waterfront
A hardy group of KCH athletes made their way to Clonakilty today. The reason was to sample the Clonakilty Waterfront 10K. Among the group taking part were Andrew Smith, Mary Harrington, Statia O’Carroll, Hilda Comerford, Angela Lalor and Martina McGrath.
Nov 18 Grace Leads them Home
Grace Richardson wrapped up her cross country season with a fab run in the NCAA Division 111 cross country championships held in Newville, Pennsylvania today. Representing her college, New York University, she placed 9th to lead the college team into second place.
Nov 19 Senior and Junior GOLD in Gowran
A fine chapter in our club’s history was written in mud covered Gowran today. Our junior ladies led by Maebh Richardson in 4th place and Hannah Kehoe in 6th place won the junior championship. Both girls had been running in California last weekend so this was quite a contrasting event. They were supported on the team by Pia Langton 25th, Isabella Burke 41, Hazel Coogan 103 and Ruth Cody 141. Pia, Hazel and Ruth placed 11th, 66th and 99th respectively in the u18 race. Our junior men despite their best efforts didn’t do as well as the ladies. No great shame in finishing 7th. Scorers were Billy Coogan 11th, Myles Hewlett 23rd, Ruairi McEvoy 61 and Matthew McCarthy 141. Ruairi was also 26th in the U18 race.
Our senior men, with ten on the team, were superb. Peter Lynch returned from Oklahoma on Thursday for the race and had hoped to replicate a podium finish as he had done in Donegal in 2022. To his disappointment that wasn’t to be. After a tough battle up front with the opposition and the under foot conditions he had to settle for 8th. The consolation was leading the team to gold. Outstanding “Master” performances form Eoin Everard 15th and Brian Maher 25th pushed the team forward. Cathal O’Reilly 1n 24th (4th in the U23 race) brought the score to 72 points – tied with North Belfast Harriers. KCH won on countback to the delight of the large support. The rest of the team finished as follows:- Gerry Forde 34, Jamie Gahan 54, James Ledingham 96, Padraig Ruane 148. Eamon O’Connor 160 and Graham Bourne 177. There was further call for celebration as the County Kilkenny team, comprised of the first six KCH men, won the bronze medals.
Both teams, Junior ladies and Senior men, as a result of their victories today qualify for the European Club Championships in Portugal next February.
Our under 12 girls placed 15th. First home was Kate Kelly in 10th place. As second scorer on the second placed Leinster team she won an all Ireland silver medal. Other team members were Ella O’Flaherty 99, Eva Arslan 116, Mealla Crowley 127 and Casey Cleere 128. The u12 boys were represented by three boys. Daniel Greene went to the front from the start and after a fine race finished a comfortable second. Eoin Hoyne and Tom Hardiman finished in 104 and 140 respectively.
The never say die efforts of the under 14 girls brought them bronze All-Ireland medals. Sinead Cormack was relentless as she picked off runners to finish 16th. She had Katie Byrne 46th, Emma Kelly 63rd, Ellen Cormack 98 and Hannah Devine 164th in support. Sinead collected a silver with Leinster. Daire O’Flaherty 122 and Fiach Crowley 134 gave a good account of themselves in the boys u14 race.
Clodagh O’Callaghan 17th won silver with the under 16 Leinster team. Eimear Cormack and Evelyn McEvoy placed 121 and 138 respectively.
Having completed this testing course none of these athletes may fear cross country in the future.