2015-07-22

  Denis Shanahan, Kevin Maunsell & Tony Fogarty

Maunsell & O’Doherty Break Course Records

On a perfect night for running, a huge crowd swelled the roads of Borrisoleigh while competing in the second annual Marion Hall Borrisoleigh 5km. 312 participants completed the fast course with many producing Personal Best times in the process.
Despite competing in the 3000 metres at the Cork City Sports on the previous night, Clonmel’s Kevin Maunsell took an early lead and set a blistering pace throughout to come home in a new course record of 15:28, a brilliant 34 seconds faster than the previous best. Borrisokane’s Siobhan O’Doherty was as equally brilliant on the night as she shaved a massive 20 seconds off her previous best on the course to claim the women’s title in an impressive time of 17:07 and in doing so securing fifth place overall also.

Last year’s victor, Tony Fogarty of the Templemore Club had to settle for the runner up spot this year when clocking 16:30 with Thurles Crokes athlete Denis Shanahan finishing in third spot overall thanks to an impressive showing in 16:47. Templemore also secured the runner up spot in the women’s race with Margaret Danagher ducking under the 18 minute barrier in a time of 17:58. The third spot was claimed by Clonmel’s Laura Tobin in a time of 19:19.
 

Siobhán O’Doherty, Margaret Danagher & Laura Tobin

We also had prizes for the participants who finished in every twenty fifth position and the following were the winners; Peter Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Michael O’Brien (Borrisoleigh), Sinead O’Meara (Drom), Sharon Cantwell (Moyne), Trish Lee (Thurles), Razuk Atik (Borrisoleigh), Deirdre Collins (Borrisoleigh T/A), Siobhan O’Shea (Cork), Olivia Lawlor (Thurles), Attracta Cahill (Drom), Luke Cooney (Borrisoleigh) and Mairead Bradshaw (Borrisoleigh). The spot prizes were won by Regina Carroll (Touraneena), Paddy Kennedy (Templederry), Owen Ryan (Templemore), Natasha Kennedy (Borrisoleigh) and Andy Quinlan (Kilcommon). If any of the above were not at the race presentation and didn’t receive their prize, just send a message to Borrisoleigh Track Attack on Facebook or contact 087 6380649.

In the battle of the locals, Peter Madden was first home in a time of 17:51 followed by Austin Ryan in 18:36 with last year’s winner Ailbe Cummins coming home in third in a time of 18:51. Helen Kiely was the winner of the women’s title clocking 23:40. Trish Ryan ran an impressive 24:09 to take second spot while Mary Collins returned to her roots to claim the third spot in 24:46.

The event proved to be a huge success which was made possible by a huge team of people. Thanks to the local GAA club, Town Park and the Parish Centre for the use of their facilities on the night. Thanks to the team of people who looked after the registration of participants and the finishing times. Thanks to the Gardaí who were out in force on the night to help with the traffic control. A huge thanks to Tom Mason and his team of stewards for the brilliant job of stewarding the course and ensuring the safety of all participants. Thanks to Mark Bourke and his team of people who controlled the parking on the night.

Thanks also to Tara, Aisling and the Order of Malta who attended on the night. Thanks to Teresa Murray and her team of caterers who did a superb job with the catering at the post-race presentation on the night. A huge thanks to everyone who brought sandwiches/confectionary etc. on the night, it was hugely appreciated. Thanks to the Borrisoleigh Cycling Club and to Tom Tynan for escorting the leading athletes around the course. Thanks to Seamus Kennedy for supplying the amplification on the night and to Eddie Martin and Christy Slattery for erecting the finish gantry for the event. Finally thanks to all the participants who came on the night and made the event the success that it was. Hopefully we’ll see you all back again next year when we intend to make the event even bigger and better.

Thanks to our Sponsor

Track-Attack would like to sincerely thank the Marian Hall for coming on board with us this year and becoming our main race sponsor. Their generous sponsorship ensured that we could host a top class event that catered for everyone.

Jacqueline Minogue, Kate Minogue & Caroline Murray

Family Hat-trick Completed

In the weeks leading up to the Borrisoleigh 5km, the pressure was on both Jacqueline Minogue and Caroline Murray to follow Kate Minogue’s footsteps and claim one of the league titles in the Track-Attack Marathon Series. Kate proved to be the star of the entire series en-route to claiming the Puma’s title with 2 weeks to go. Kate’s mother Jacqueline made superb progress in recent weeks and in doing so, she moved in on the leaders of the Lions group and eventually claimed the pole position. In the 5km, she smashed her previous best to run home in 27:49 which in turn guaranteed her the title with a total of 14 points. Finishing second in the group was Marie Carr with 30 points while Betty Slattery finished third with 41 points.

It was down to Kate’s aunt Caroline then to complete the family treble and following an excellent run in the 5km in a time of 29:16, she guaranteed herself the top spot in the Cheetahs group with a total of 15 points. Grainne Moore finished second with 36 points while Deirdre Collins on 45 points finished in third place.
 

The Shop Tug O’ War Team

Despite the best efforts of the chasing women, they left it too late to reign in Martin Fahy’s lead at the summit of the Falcons grouping. It was a superbly competitive group right throughout the Series and with a total of 28 points, it was Martin who claimed the top prize. Kathleen O’Meara finished in second spot with 35 points while in joint third were Trish Ryan and Mary Ryan who both clocked up 37 points each. Rena Ryan was the run-away leader of the Bears group and with a total of 26 points, she was the deservedly victor of the title. Her closest rival was Anne McCormack who finished second on 58 points with Suzanne Whyte another point behind in third place.

A superb time of 19:17 in the 5km lay down a serious marker to his closest challengers in the Sharks group as long-time leader John F Kennedy secured the title in impressive fashion thanks to a Series total of 27 points. Closest to the leader proved to be Christy Slattery with 38 points with Tom Shanahan holding off Noel Kennedy by a single point to take third spot with 40 points.

The Dolphins group went right to the wire. In the end it wasn’t possible to split the duo of John Vahey and Richie Tynan with both completing a brilliant series with a total of 45 points each so fittingly they will share the top honours. In third spot was Tom Stapleton with a total of 55 points. The other 2 titles were already claimed before the 5km showdown. Mary Stapleton clinched the Jaguars title while Drom young speedster Conor Gleeson brought the Tigers title across the parish divide.
The presentation of prizes for the Marathon Series will be organised soon. We are taking a break from Track-Attack activities for a couple of weeks but in the meantime, we will be putting together a 10 week series which will start in late September/early October where we will be hoping to lay down a challenge for participants of all ages and ability using the newly extended 1.3km track.

 

Borrisoleigh Active Social Group

 

We had our first outing last Tuesday. We left Borrisoleigh shortly after 9am and headed off to the Nicholas Mosse Pottery Factory. Some enjoyed watching the pottery being made & painted while others shopped and got good bargains. After about 2 hrs there we headed off to Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven. This was very impressive from the time we got off the bus until we got back on again. We were all amazed by the variety of flowers and shrubs and again purchases were made. This place is well worth a visit.

On our way home we stopped off in Hotel Kilkenny to have a cuppa. The hospitality we received throughout the day was top class. We were back in Borrisoleigh at about 7.30pm. Overall this was a great day out and we were joined by some friends from Kilcommon. We look forward to our next venture. New members are always welcome.
 

Community Centre

 

 

 Candles of Hope
 

Teams entered for this year’s Relay for Life Tipperary are busily making preparing for the event which takes place in St. Michael’s GAA Grounds in Toomevara on the weekend of 15/16 August.

Chairperson Relay for Life Tipperary, Lorna King says that Relay for Life is all about HOPE – the hope that one day we will have a world without cancer, that we will find a cure for cancer, and that patients who are diagnosed with cancer will have better treatments and outcomes. There has been significant progress in this regard and the work of Relay for Life is helping to make such a world possible, with cancer sufferers nowadays having a much better chance of surviving the disease than was the case in years gone by.

One of the most poignant events at every Relay for Life is the Candle of Hope ceremony which takes place as darkness begins to fall. As the evening approaches, the lighted candles are set around the track, and remain there lighting all night as the event continues. Once the candles are placed around the track, the short ceremony takes place.

Rose Cleary Chairperson – Candle of Hope Sub-Committee, says “for many people, this is when the true meaning of Relay hits home. Some of the candles are to celebrate a friend or loved one who has survived cancer, others are to remember someone who did not, while still others are dedicated to family and carers who helped in the fight against the disease. All candles are numbered, and people can easily locate their own candle and message around the track".
Candles are available from any member of any participating Relay team, or email relayforlifetipperary@gmail.com or call 087-4463631. 
 

Borrisoleigh Festival

 

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