Double delight for Croghan AC
County Novice road races
CROGHAN A.C. dominated Sunday’s Mr Oil Wexford Novice road race championships held in mild and muggy conditions in Rathgarogue.
The course was relatively flat with just the occasional low-grade incline to test the athletes. The women’s one-lap 3km race attracted a field of 47, while there were 64 in the men’s 6km race.
The women’s race was an interesting affair. Leading from the front was Croghan A.C. athlete Clodagh Kelly.
In close pursuit from the start, and showing serious intent, was clubmate Suzanne Keane. These were followed by Ruth O’Connell of Wexford Marathon Club and Katie Gregan of Slaney Olympic.
As the race progressed it became clear that there was only going to be one winner as Clodagh lengthened her stride and pulled clear.
She went on to win in 11.41 minutes, 30 seconds clear of Ruth (12.08 minutes).
Twenty seconds further back, Slaney Olympic’s Katie Gregan crossed the line to take the bronze.
Croghan took gold in the team event with Clodagh joined by Suzanne Keane (fourth), Shelly Atkins (eleventh) and Ailish O’Connor (18th). S.B.R. took the silver while the bronze went to host club United Striders.
The men’s race was definitely a more cagey and tactical affair. For the best part of the first of the two-lap race, there was a five-man group at the head of affairs.
This group contained two Juniors (Under-20s): D.M.P’s Liam Turner and James Boland of United Striders.
By the time they reached the halfway stage, Alex Williams of Croghan A.C. and Dara Cloake of S.B.R. A.C. had broken clear.
Slaney Olympic’s Will Doyle was in the chasing pack, with Liam Turner and James Boland joining him.
With a number of clubs packing well, the battle for team honours had minders and coaches exhorting their athletes to ever greater efforts.
Early in the final lap, Alex pulled ahead, going on to win by a margin of about 80 metres in a time of 20:27 minutes.
Dara stayed on to take the silver medal, with Will Doyle showing great determination to stay ahead of Liam Turner and take the bronze.
Slaney Olympic took the team gold back to Enniscorthy, with Will Doyle joined by Jessie O’Connor (seventh), Billy Reck (eighth) and Pádraig Coone (13th). S.B.R. took the team silver and Croghan won the bronze.
There was general praise for the smooth organisation provided by host club, United Striders. The road race season continues on March 24 with Slaney Olympic hosting the Mr Oil Wexford Intermediate championships.