THE 11th ANNUAL AHS TUNING IRELAND BALLINROAD 5K .
The clubs summer road racing programme for 2026 got off to the proverbial flyer last Friday evening with the staging of 11th annual AHS TUNING IRELAND sponsored Ballinroad 5k, on a night when both course records tumbled. A huge thank you to John and all the Coleman family for their kind sponsorship of this race again this year. The weather was ideal for the runners and walkers and all were in good spirits and a great Ballinroad community night was had by all who came along. The club were delighted to be back again this year and to be involved in this event with proceeds going towards the local Ballinroad FC who are always working to put improvements in place at their fine grounds which in turn will always benefit the community in the Ballinroad area for the generations to come. Both clubs put in a great amount of work pre-race for the event and this paid dividends as a great field of 277 runners and a large group of walkers took part .The prize structure for the race saw prizes awarded to the top 5 men and women and 1st juniors in both categories and we were delight this year to be including a wheelchair category also along with lots of spots to everyone else in the race its encouraging for us to see that the athletes are supporting our efforts as we always try to give good value races which cater for all levels, a well marshalled safe course, results and photos posted ASAP. Our sincere thanks to all who helped with the race especially our race sponsor John Coleman of AHS tuning Ireland for supporting our club event. We wish John all the best for the future as he recently moved to new premises. In Ballyvoile in the past few weeks.To all our stewards who once again did a terrific job on the night, To Conor, Jamie,,John and crew on traffic management duty another splendid job, to our registrars and timing personnel, finishing area team a great job done with the usual efficiency . To Liam O Donnell on van duty, Thanks to the Beresford family crooked bridge for their help with the event, To all at Ballinroad soccer club especially the Ladies who had a lovely cuppa for all after the race a big thanks and well done to you on your efforts, keep up the great work the club is doing for the Ballinroad community. Thanks to the parish for the use of St Laurence’s hall. Finally a special mention to those runners who were completing their first 5k Friday evening keep up the good work and we hope to see you throughout the Summer running more of the clubs summer races.
MICHEÁL POWER TAKES OPENING SUMMER RACE VICTORY WITH A NEW COURSE RECORD.
An inform Micheál Power West Waterford AC was on the start line last Friday evening and all were delighted to have an athlete of his calibre taking part. Once Micheál made his intentions know of his participation the word around was would he go for the course record which was held by club mate Evan Fitzgerald who set it 12 months ago when he ran a blistering 14.49.It was clear from the gun that this record was going to be in jeopardy as Micheál raced away from the pack at the gun and by the1st kilometre he had a substantial gap opened on the chasers. A record he came to break and a record he broke as he crossed the finish line after a completely solo effort stopping the clock at 14.28 clipping a nice 21 seconds off of Evan’s effort.Adam O’Connor United Striders AC Wexford came home best of the chasing pack in a time of 15.46 for 2nd with West Waterford’s Naoise Mac Murchadha putting in a great effort to snatch 3rd spot in 16.01 with only 4 seconds to spear over team mate Damien Murphy who was 4th in 16.05.Michael O’Loughlin IND was 5th man home in 16.07, so a great battle between the 3 lads here. The junior prize was won by Daniel Murphy Waterford AC in 16.14, very nice running for a junior athlete. Well done to all who ran with many super performances and pbs recorded on this fast flat course.
MENS RESULTS.
1 Micheál Power West Waterford A.C. 14.28 (course record)
2 Adam O’Connor United Striders AC 15.46
3 Naoise Mac Murchadha West Waterford AC 16.01
4 Damien Murphy West Waterford AC 16:05
5 Michael O’Loughlin IND 16.07
Junior Daniel Murphy Waterford AC 16.14
KEALY TIDESWELL WINS LADIES RACE WITH A NEW COURSE RECORD.
It was a night of tumbling course records as both were broken on the night having already mentioned Micheál Powers exploits, Our ladies winner was on the same wave length when Clonmel’s Kealy Tideswell running for the first time in this race broke Kate Veale’s course record by the slightest of margins 2 seconds. Kate had set the standard in 2023 when she ran a time of 17.46, but records are there to be broken and Kealy clocked a time of 17.44 last Friday evening to become our new course record holder for the event. The winner of this race 12 months ago was Laura Behan and Laura had to settle for the runner up spot this year when she ran a time of 18.27 for 2nd.Hardly out of a podium position these days is West Waterford’s Angela Tobin and again last Friday she was in 3rd place 19.50 with Clonmel’s Kate Wall filling 4th position in 20.02 and it was great to see Sandra Flynn back among the prize winners when she finished 5th in 20.12. Our Junior prize this year went to Jessica Grigor West Waterford ASC with a time of 24.20.We were absolutely delight to have a wheelchair athlete among the participants this year and a super well done to Aoire Keane Glanmire AC who completed the course in a time of 33.35.Well done to all our female competitors in Ballinroad we hope to see you throughout the summer running more of our clubs summer races.
LADIES RESULTS.
1 Kealy Tideswell Clonmel AC 17.44 ( course record)
2 Laura Behan IND 18.27
3 Angela Tobin West Waterford A.C. 19.50
4 Kate Wall Clonmel AC 20.02
5 Sandra Flynn West Waterford A.C. 20.12
Junior Jessica Grigor West Waterford AC 24.20
Wheelchair Aoire Keane Glanmire AC 33.35
29th ANNUAL ROUND TOWER HOTEL ARDMORE 5 .
After a terrific race last Friday evening at race 1 in the clubs summer race programme the Ballinroad 5k our focus now will turn to race 2 the 29th Annual Round Tower Ardmore 5 mile. We are delighted that Aidan Quirke of Round Tower Hotel Ardmore with continue his sponsorship of this race again this year. The race will take place on Friday evening May 22nd next. Aidan runs the very good family run Round Tower Hotel located in the beautiful village of Ardmore. Round Tower Hotel is a Fáilte Ireland approved 3 star hotel. The hotel offers guests and visitors the opportunity to enjoy their break in one of Ireland’s oldest Christian settlement villages. Richie Stilwell and his team in Ardmore have all pre-race work in place and we are all looking forward to our annual trip to the beautiful part of our county once again to meet many of our old friends and hopefully many new ones as well. The course will remain the same as previous years with the 2 lap circuit. Registration and changing will be at the Ardmore GAA club pavilion ( by kind permission ) and we sincerely thank Ardmore GAA for the use of their fine facility as they have done for us now for many years. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female athletes and after that prizes will be awarded to the following age race categories.Men-Junior,40,50,60 Women-Junior,35,40,50.Entry to this race is only 12 Euro if you enter online., or 15 on the night See ye at the round tower guys.!!
ENTER ARDMORE 5 ONLINE NOW.
Online entry for the 29th Annual Round Tower Hotel Ardmore 5 is now open on Eventmaster and the Cost is only €12.00. Numbers can be collected on the evening of race. It is of great help to us the race organisers if you can please enter online and it will save you time queuing on the night.
YOU CAN STILL ENTER THE SUMMER RACE EVENTS.
We are delighted to have our summer race programme up and running last Friday evening with a highly successful Ballinroad 5km which was race number one in the clubs 6 race events over the summer months ,now if you haven’t entered the event yet you can still do so by logging on to the link below. You can still enter the remaining 5 of the races individually for 12 euro per race online, which includes the really nice running Gilet for all who enter the summer race programme of races .Individual race entries will open two weeks before each race. If you come along on the night of any race it will be 15 euro so get your online entry is the answer here. See you in Ardmore on Friday 22nd May.
Ardmore 5 Miles 22nd May
Dromana 5 Miles 5th June
Ballymacarby 5 Miles 26th June
Ballinameela 5K 03th July
Dungarvan 10K 17th July
THE BRENDAN KINANE 5KM.
The annual BK 5k hosted by Dundrum AC was held last Wednesday evening in Co. Tipperary and a field of 372 took part on an ideal evening for the event.The race overall winner this year was Jamie Gahan Kilkenny City Harriers AC ina tiem fo 15.06 and the Ladies winner was Dymphna Ray from the host club Dundrum AC in 17.05.The club had 3 athletes who ran and all performed very well, Joe Gough took the over 70 prize in a time of 19.55 and running in the club colours for the first time is new member John Morrisson who clocked a time of 26.43 with Michael Coakley next home in 27.08. Well done to all 3 athletes.
MIDLETON 5
The annual Midleton 5 mile road was held last Thursday evening in ideal weather conditions for 381 athletes who took part. The event was hosted by Midleton AC and race winner was Ryan Creech Leevale AC in a time of 23.44 and his team mate Niamh Allen won the ladies race in 25.10 finishing 3rd overall in the race. West Waterford AC was represented by 6 athletes and putting a sterling performance was our first athlete home Aidan Connell in an excellent time of 26.08 for 4th overall. Mossie Keogh was next home in 31.26 followed by Mick Concannon who broke the 40 minute barrier in 39.43 with Eamon Phelan next clocking a time of 41.27 and our one of two Lady participants Martina Beechinor was timed at 41.49 and next was Melanie Kelly ran a time of 44.27. Well done to all.
MICK RUNS THE BLUEWAY.
Club member Mick Concannon ran last Sunday’s Marathon club of Ireland organised Blueway marathon which used the Blueway starting in Clonmel and running to Carrick On Suir and then back again to Clonmel. Mick completed the marathon in a time of 4.07.
CLONMEL 1 MILE RACE.
Clonmel AC held a 1 mile race last Saturday and a field of 121 competed in ideal conditions, The race winner came from the host club Clonmel AC when Sean Tobin clocked time of 4.08.the fastest Lady was Dymphna Ryan Dundrum AC 5.03.Two club members participated with Gary Cantwell crossing the finish line in 4.48 to finish 5th overall. Onra Power in the over 60 was the other club member to run and she proved to be the fastest athlete in the category running a time of 8.28. Well done to both.
WEST WATERFORD AC IN THE KINGDOM.
The annual Run Killarney 10k and half marathon was held last Saturday and the club was well represented at the annual event. The two races had similar numbers with 1207 in the 10k and 1211 finishers in the half marathon. Race winners were in the 10k race local athlete Richard Clifford Killarney Valley AC in a time of 32.50 was the winner and the Ladies race was won by Carol Finn Leevale AC in 37.27 while the half went to Tadhg O’Sullivan Glanmire AC in 1.10.49 Eilís Ryan Newport AC won the Ladies in 1.24.48.From the club in the half marathon Simone Power was our only participant and she had a very good time of 1.48.12 recorded .In the 10k Patrick Power was our first athlete home in a time of 46.51 with Martina Beechinor leading the Ladies in 52.58. Well done to all.
10K.
Patrick Power 46.51
Martina Beechinor 52.58
Melanie Kelly 56.57
Patrycja Eichelmann 56.58
Anthony Dwyer 57.13
Raymond Curran 64.27
HALF MARATHON
Simone Power 1.48.12
COUNTY TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
MEDALS FOR ANGELA,MOSSIE AND YEV.
Day 2 of the county track and field championship were held last Sundays at the RSC track Waterford city on quite a breezy but dry day. As well as a packed Juvenile programme where our young athletes did very well, full report in our Juvenile notes this week. In the Adults events we had 3 athletes taking part and all brought home silver wear. Angela Tobin our only Lady competitor won 3 gold, medals in the 200-800 and 3.000 meters and likewise Mossie Keogh won all the 3 same events with Yev taking the silver medal also in the same distances. We done to our athletes who compete for this club in their county track and field championships.
AIDAN 2ND IN BWEENG TRAIL BLAZERS 5K.
A field of 385 completed last Sundays Bweeng Trail Blazers 5k race near Mallow Co. Cork The overall race winners were Aidan Noone, Glanmire AC (15:31) and Sinead O’Connor, Leevale AC who finished14th –overall in a time of 16:41.West Waterford AC had 2 athletes in the field with Aidan Connell showing once again he can mix it with the best when taking the runners up spot only 15.36 just 5 seconds behind the winner. Aidan is in a true vain of top road running form recently having finished 4th in the Midleton 5 a few days previously.Patricja Daly also took part here and she ran a time of 26.45,Patricja is a prolific competitor and hardly would miss a road race anywhere in the Cork, Waterford region. We done to both.
SYMPATHY
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Brid Harney The Grove Abbeyside and Muiris Walsh Mill House Killrosanty who passed to there eternal reward recently, may they rest in peace
