5 March 2025

Brilliant Kilometre Races

On Friday night last, we were treated to four fantastic races at the inaugural Borrisoleigh Kilometres which were held at the track under lights. The Primary school girls race which was sponsored by Tom McInerney Plant Hire kickstarted proceedings and this certainly set the tone for a hugely entertaining evening of running endeavours.

Right from the start, the young running prodigies reddened the track with a blistering pace led by the talented Holly Cummins. Once taking the lead, Holly refused to relinquish it and went to break the tape in a superb time of 3:36. Another fantastic prospect for the future Aisling Carr soon followed in 3:43 while the podium placings were completed by a first cousin of the winner, Ally Cummins in a time of 3:49.

Michael Small (principal SNC), Aisling Carr, Holly Cummins, Tom McInerney (sponsor), Ally Cummins 

The pre-race favourite for the Primary school boy’s title was Cian Cowan but we didn’t foresee the challenge he faced from non-other than his first cousin to claim that title. Sponsored by Donal Hurley GALA, Cian entered the finish straight with Cillian Butler grinding it out in a bid to close the gap but Cian’s class shun through to take the title in 3:45, a mere 3 seconds to the good. Cillian’s battle not only came in front of him as he chased the victory, in his rear he had to fight off the efforts of Emiles Putnins who ran a superb race to finish in 3:49 to claim third spot overall.

Running on her home training ground, Caroline Hassett’s running pedigree was there for all to see as she swapped her preferred longer distances to impressively crave out a win here in a time of 3:23. From gun to tape, she kept the pace at a high tempo which ensured that any form of upset wasn’t on the cards.

Denis Ryan (sponsor) Caroline Hassett, Aoibhinn Keane, Sinéad Cowan,  Michael Small (principal SNC)

The other podium placings of the Denis Ryan Garage sponsored event were made up by two Borrisoleigh young guns who impressed greatly over the distance. Aoibhinn Keane clipped home in a time of 3:44 to take second place while the third podium step was occupied by Sinéad Cowan following an impressive outing that saw her record a 4:04 finishing time.

Sean Stapleton (sponsor), Denis McCullagh, Peter Maher, Andy Kinane, Michael Small (principal SNC)

Sponsored by Sean Stapleton Car Sales, the men’s race was a cracker. Right from the off, a group formed with all having aspirations of overall victory. Unfortunately we lost pre-race favourite Peter Madden due to injury when entering the downhill straight but that didn’t slow down the juggernaut that was accompanying him.

Mutterings of pre-race predictions of a sub 3:20 finish were soon recalculated as the train entered the finish straight. Denis McCullagh was the driver in control and crossed the line in an impressive 3:05 with in form Track-Attacker Peter Maher hot on his heels in 3:08. Upperchurch’s Andy Kinane’s surge to overtake the Thurles man just fell short, claiming third place overall in a time of 3:09.

The kilometre walk was sponsored by Eamon Ryan Car Sales and he spot prizes were won by Áine Stapleton, Trevor Groome and Niamh O’Toole.

Cashel to Cualán’s 32km Run

We were greeted in Cashel on Friday morning by glorious sunshine for the start of Baiba Vilande’s 32km run where she was raising funds for Scoil Naomh Cualán. Baiba was joined along the way by some of her running friends who accompanied her in her endeavours.

Vilande family – Armands, Baiba, Ralfs & Elizabete

She also witnessed some unexpected surprises along the way. Her pupils of Muddy Puddles Country Pre-school had gathered in Boherlahan to cheer her on where they were joined by pupils of the Boherlahan school to help with the “Go Baiba” chant.

After just over three hours of running, Baiba was greeted back in Borrisoleigh to a rapturous applause by the children of Scoil Naomh Cualán, flying flags from her native Latvia, Ireland, Scoil Naomh Cualán and Track-Attack.