Athletics Gallery- Great running at Gowran four miler last weekend

The county four mile novice road race, hosted by Gowran AC, was held in Gowran village on Friday. With 79 athletes lined up at the start, the race route took the runners on the flat but windy Kyle Road from Gowran to Connolly’s of Dunbell.

Evan Fitzgerald (West Waterford AC) and Adele Walsh (St Senan’s) were the first male and female home in the open four mile race. Evan, who won the event last year in a time of 19:48, went even better this year to finish in 19:06, a superb run for four miles. Adele, who is no stranger to winning many of the local and county road races over the years, was 18th overall and first woman home in 24:19 on the night.

Thirty-nine athletes from Kilkenny clubs were eligible to run on the night for the county four mile novice. Elaine O’Donovan (St Joseph’s) was the first woman home in 26:21. Laura Walpole (Thomastown) was second in 27:24, with Ann-Marie Donoghue (Nuenna) taking third place in 28:53 for the women’s novice race. Elaine also led the St Joseph’s women’s team to a first place finish, with Maggie Helen O’Connor, Susan Lanigan and Tracey Malone making up the team.

In the men’s race it was a one, two, three for Gowran as they took the top spots with Martin Desgrandchamps first home in 21:33. Joe Keohane was second in 21:35 while Kyran O’Sullivan was third in 22:32.

Gowran were also the first men’s team home with James Kelsey the fourth athlete home to see the team getting gold. St Senan’s took home both the second and third places in the men’s team.

Well done to Gowran AC for hosting another great evening for the four mile road race. The full list of competing Kilkenny athletes:

Women - Adele Walsh (St Senan’s), Elaine O’Donovan (St Joseph’s), Laura Walpole (Thomastown), Ann-Marie Donohue (Nuenna), Maria Griffin (SJ), Rhoda Griffin (Kilkenny City Harriers), Elaine Gamble (NU), Maggie Helen O’Connor (SJ), Susan Lanigan (SJ), Liz Brennan (Barrow Harriers), Nicola Flynn (KCH), Tracey Malone (SJ).

Men - Martin Desgrandchamps (Gowran), Joe Keohane (G), Kyran O’Sullivan (G), Evan Aylward (SS), Evan Walsh (SJ), Patrick Aylward (SS), James Kelsey (G), Denis Vasilijevs (KCH), Johan Muller (G), Paul Moran (TT), Danny Shanahan (TT), Patrick Galvin (SS), Joao Horta (SS), Conor Hartley (SS), Keith Coady (SS), David Lanigan (SJ), Martin Grace (KCH), Len Galvin (SS), Neill Lyons (KCH), Matt Ryan (G), Bill Carroll (TT), David McKenna (TT), Anthony Ryan (SS), Pat Hayden (G), Tom Ahearn (G), Pat Lennon (G), Billy Culleton (KCH), Kevin O’Connell (G), John Hayes (G), JohnJoe Lawlor (SJ).

Kilkenny South Run

Ballyhale held the annual South Kilkenny 5k and 10km run in between the showers and bursts of sunshine recently. An annual fundraiser that showcases the hard work and true testament of their great community spirit, so many were involved in running the event. Just under 50 runners in each distance lined up at the start line, with many more running, walking and pushing buggies in the non-chipped family friendly 5km. A great morning was had by all. Congrats to all who volunteered, cheered and supported the runners and stewards.

Results, women’s 5km: 1 Tina Walsh (Carrick-on-Suir AC), 2 Lucy Lee O’Donnell (Ferrybank AC), 3 Josephine Killeen.

Women’s 10k: 1 Adele Walsh (St Senan’s), 2 Elaine O’Donovan (St Joseph’s), 3 Brid Kirwan.

Men’s 5k: 1 Eugene O’Keeffe, 2 Stephen Walsh (Kilkenny City Harriers), 3 Ross Connolly.

Men’s 10k: 1 Karl Tobin, 2 Neil Shanahan (Thomastown), 3 Paddy O’Keeffe (Gowran).

Other Kilkenny athletes who competed were Eoin Molloy (KCH), Caitriona Kenneally (KCH) 5km; Dean Finn (King’s River), Thomas Lanigan (Tullaroan), Ellen Brennan (Barrow Harriers), Tom McGrath (Graigue-Ballycallan), Billy Culleton (KCH), Declan Bryan (KCH) 10km.

Dingle

The Dingle half and full marathons were held on Saturday with a number of Kilkenny athletes running in both distances. There were four St Senan’s athletes running in the half - Patricia Foskin (1:45:45), David Rockett (01:59:32), Liam Rockett (2:09:30) and Jo Rockett (2:14:39). John Walsh was running in yet another marathon to add to his vast collection of medals and marathon finishes. Kilkenny City Harriers had three athletes compete in the half event - Leanne Butler (1:31:12), Paul Larkins (1:48:53) and Jackie Varley (2:15:22). Simon Maher was the sole athlete running for Gowran in the full distance, finishing in 04:14:25.

Limerick Games

Kang O’Gorman was back competing for Brow Rangers in the Limerick Games recently. Kang, competing the javelin and shot put, came away with two medals along with a personal best in each discipline - great rewards for great effort and hard work throughout the season.