The County Kilkenny track and field championships continued in Scanlon Park on Friday night with an entirely adult programme of events. While the experiment did not work in that the hope for increased turnout did not materialise, the resulting competition suggests it is an experiment worth continuing for at least another year.
Junior ladies Emma Butler Gowran, and Sally Forristal, St Joseph’s, both had double victories. Emma won both junior and senior 100m hurdles while Sally took the gold in the junior 3,000m and the senior walk. Experienced road runner, Irene Henebry, Kilkenny City Harriers, made a successful debut on the track with victories in the novice 800m and veterans’ 3,000m. Irene together with Caoimhe Foley and Joan Martin won the senior 3,000m team event with St Joseph’s in second place.
In the men’s events Robbie Brennan, Aughavillar, had a good competition winning both junior and senior 110m hurdles. Jimmy Barcoe, Gowran, enjoyed his victory in the novice 800m having held off the challenge of KCH man Eddie Hawe. It was good to see former high jump Olympian Adrian O’Dwyer back in action. Comfortably winning the javelin event from standing throws, there was evidence of much of his former power and flair. Hopefully it will continue through the season. The race of the night was the men’s 3,000m. Willie Hoyne, Thomastown, was the early front runner with Mick Kelly, Gowran, Ciaran Phelan, Aughavillar, and KCH duo Mick Dore and David McPherson completing the top five. By the half way stage the race for gold was between Hoyne and Dore with the Thomastown man in the lead. Dore took to the front with 800m to go but coming down the final straight Hoyne closed the gap and seemed to have the legs on his rival. However Dore found that extra bit and held on for victory. Mick Kelly finished third and with team-mates Denis Cormack seventh and David Farrell eighth, Gowran AC were first team on 18 points. St Joseph’s took the silver with 25 points.
Fit4life club progresses
The Kilkenny Fit4life Club continues to meet its objectives by promoting the fitness level of participants. By monitoring members’ performances in a 3K timing session every three weeks each member of the club can see his or her own progression. Thirty members of the club completed the most recent timing on May 5 on the athletic track in Scanlon Park. On a very blustery night, not conducive to good times, just six registered slightly slower times than on the previous timing. For the ladies Irene Henebry continues to turn in the fastest times, with Deirdre Scott and Catriona Muldowney making good progress. Donal Cadogan has taken over the leadership role for the men following the departure of David McPherson to competitive athletics. While the focus of the club, as the name suggests, is on improving fitness rather than being competitive, many club members have gained sufficient confidence to get involved in somewhat more demanding action. This can be seen in the number taking part in this year’s Kilkenny Road series and also in the various charity runs and mini marathons. Some like Catriona Muldowney, Sheila O’Callaghan, and Joan Martin have tasted success with Kilkenny City Harriers in the recent Four County League and also in the Leinster Novice Road Race.
Fixtures
May 15 County Kilkenny Novice Road Races. These will be held on the road between Gowran and Dungarvan, starting at 7.30pm.
May 17 AAI Games and Track Relays, Athlone.
