Cheers as Cathal O'Reilly is crowned king of the Streets of Kilkenny!

Cathal O’Reilly was the pride of the Marble City as he raced to victory in the Streets of Kilkenny 5k.

After a tense battle with defending champion and course record holder Pierre Murchan, the young Kilkenny City Harriers athlete kicked for the line in the closing stages, coming home first in front of Kilkenny Castle in a time of 14 minutes and 15 seconds. The win was a huge achievement for O’Reilly, who last year became only the second Kilkenny athlete to run a sub-four minute mile.

READ MORE: O'Reilly breaks four minute barrier

The women’s race also saw a new winner and new course record set as American Olympian Emily Sisson blitzed the course in 14:58, finishing a minute ahead of the second placed Ide Nic Dhomhnaill, a former Streets winner.

The event was another great success for host club Kilkenny City Harriers. With over 1,000 entries, sold out signs went up well in advance as the crowds flocked to tackle the two-lap city centre course. Personal bests and new milestones were set as people of all ages took on the Streets, which is part of the Peugeot Road Race Series.

American Olympian Emily Sisson, winner of the women's title and new course record holder PICTURE: HARRY REID

“The race was a huge success,” said Race Director, Nicholas Dunphy. “We’re over the moon with the reaction - we were sold out two months in advance, which is unheard of for a 5km race. Having started with 400 entries in our first year to hitting the 1,000 figure for the last three years, it has grown and grown, attracting Olympians like David Gillick and Emily (Sisson) and former winners among the field. And afterwards everyone has come back to Langton’s for the after-party, sharing stories after a great night.”

And Dunphy was also to celebrate a local winner.

“Cathal meant business there tonight,” he said. “He was right there from the start and, sitting on the shoulder coming down John Street, he found his moment and made his move. It was a phenomenal run.”

MEN’S TOP TEN

1 Cathal O’Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers), 14:15

2 Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers), 14:20

3 David Mansfield (Clonmel), 14:30

4 Anthony O’Brien (Raheny Shamrock), 14:34

5 Kevin Kelly (St Coca’s), 14:39

6 Gavin O’Rourke (Leevale), 14:41

7 Matteo Mary (Waterford), 14:51

8 Stephen Cashin (Clonliffe Harriers), 14:54

9 Jamie Gahan (Kilkenny City Harriers), 15:00

10 Cian McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District), 15:03

WOMEN’S TOP TEN

1 Emily Sisson (14:57)

2 Ide Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick), 15:58

3 Orla Duffy (Dublin City Harriers), 16:35

4 Niamh Markham (Ennis Track), 16:49

5 Evelyn Coughlan (Tullamore Harriers), 16:51

6 Alexandra Murphy (Suncroft), 16:56

7 Ciara O’Neill (Clonmel), 17:12

8 Kate McDonald, 17:16

9 Lucy Barrett (Raheny Shamrock), 17:18

10 Breffini Kelly (Clane), 17:21

For full results click here