ST. KILLIAN’SA.C.

The athletic year kicked off in style on Sunday when St. Killian’s hosted the annual Ferrycarrig 5 Mile race in aid of the local Crossabeg community field.

The race has gone from strength to strength over the years with this year’s being the best ever. It showed the best of what running can offer, with over 400 competitors registered from Olympians to walkers, all getting out and tackling the course.

It shows what a community can do when they pull together, from the fantastic stewards to people who helped out with the famous spread after the event. The race is the brainchild of clubman Pádraig Moriarty who, along with his super team, ensured the success of a great day for all involved.

Ferrycarrig Park was a hive of activity for the annual race which got under way at 12 noon. Conditions were ideal for this popular but tough race which turned left on exit from the grounds, down to Newcastle cross, through Killowen, out to Kitestown cross, up the long hard pull to Kyle cross before heading back home to the grounds of Ferrycarrig Park.

There were some very high-profile runners competing and they came from near and far, including Kilkenny, Wicklow, Waterford, Meath, Carlow, Dublin and Laois to mention but a few, as well as the marvellous support from within the county.

Over the years the race has become synonymous with being extremely competitive, and it was great to see Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrocks coming back to claim the title he last won two years ago and also breaking the course record.

Mick, having competed last summer in the marathon in Rio, was competing in Edinburgh on Saturday having got the call up to compete with Team Europe in this prestigious event. He was not going to have an easy run on Sunday, with Brian Maher of Kilkenny City Harriers making him work hard for his win.

Mick and Brian were together for the first two miles, at which stage Mick picked up the pace to finish the race in 24 minutes dead, just three seconds off his record.

Brian Maher was not too far behind to take second. It was great to see our own athlete, Niall Sheil, having a great race to make the podium by finishing in third place.

St. Killian’s were well represented with Brian O’Shaughnessy showing no ill effects from the new year celebrations to finish in 17th place in a P.B. time.

Gerry Moran and Deirdre O’Grady were also in flying form with both finishing together.

Gerry finished in 193rd place and Deirdre was 192nd. Máire Browne-Carley also ran really well, finishing in 239th place.