Mick Murphy Memorial race set for Ferns Saturday
ON SATURDAY, September 8, at 5 p.m., Sliabh Buidhe Rovers in Ferns is hosting the 14th annual Mick Murphy Memorial four-mile road race.
The event is named for the late Mick Murphy who was the original driving force behind the club. He was a founding member from 1947 and was the Chairman and coach for 58 years until his death in 2005.
Mick was a very good athlete and a great organiser and administrator, creating the foundations for the club that continue to flourish today.
Mick organised many road races, county championships and track and field events, and the club played host to many county and Leinster championships.
Mick was also Chairman of the Wexford County Board from 1975 to 1978.
As Chairman of S.B.R. he oversaw many championship winning teams and just before his death in 2005 he said he wanted to host a four-mile road race in Ferns. From those beginnings, the Mick Murphy Memorial four-mile began in 2005.
The race takes in a lap of the town in Ferns followed by the Stump Lane course which brings runners back in the N11 into Ferns, finishing at Ferns Castle. This is an up and down course and the fields each year are top class.
Top men’s winners of the race include five-time victor Brian Maher of Kilkenny A.C. (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011), Olympian Seán Hehir in 2012, Olympian Mark Kenneally in 2013 (course record 18:52), Olympian Mick Clohisey in 2015, and Freddy Keron Stuk in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Top women’s winners have included Sinéad Cummins of St. Joseph’s in 2006, five-time winner Jackie Carthy of Kilmore A.C. in 2007, 2013-2016, Deirdre Byrne of Slí Cualinn in 2008 and 2009, Aoife Byrne in 2010, Aoife Culhane of D.S.D. in 2011, Olympian Maria McCambridge in an outstanding course record of 21:11 in 2012 with fellow Olympian Fionnuala Britton second in 21:21, and Sarah MacMahon of D.S.D. in 2017.
Long-time club Chairman Lukie Kehoe and club Secretary Louise Kehoe continue the tradition of the race through all their hard work organising the event.
Louise is a grand-daughter of Mick Murphy and the race marks the biggest day out for the club each year with most members running or volunteering.
The race would not be possible without the hard work of the organising committee and countless volunteers.
Special thanks as well to all of the sponsors: Ray’s Panel Beaters of Craanford, Amber Springs Hotel, Ashdown Hotel, O’Neill’s Bacon, Bolger Brothers Hardware, Gibbons Florist, The Thatch Bar, Courtyard Ferns, Willie Breen Construction, Kehoe Building Services, Seán Leacy Construction, Cooney’s of Craanford, Redmond Precast, C&R Print, Ferns Engineering and the Gorey Tesco. Spot prize donations include Jamie and Dawn Dunbar, Peak Fitness and Mag O’Leary amongst others.
You can register in Ferns Community on Saturday, September 8, from 3 p.m. or online at www.popupraces.ie.
The 2018 race features newly-designed medals for all finishers and the club invites everyone to join for a great day out.
There will be prize-giving and refreshments in the Courtyard Ferns immediately after the race and a night out with music in the Thatch Bar. Please join us to celebrate this year’s Mick Murphy Memorial four-mile road race.