Olympic Links within the club
This Friday July 26th sees the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, France. It also marks the 100th Anniversary that JJ Ryan represented Ireland in Cross Country in Paris in 1924 in what would be the last time cross country running would be an event at the Games. JJ was also selected to run in the 10,000m on the track where he ran alongside race winner Ville Ritola of Finland who set a world record at the time of 30:23, JJ himself was in the running in third place until the 8th lap where he got accidently spiked by another athletes shoe and had to withdraw from the race, the injury also prevented him from competing in the steeplechase. JJ 'Jack' Ryan who was born in Ballyglasheen, Kilfeacle, County Tipperary on the 23rd of February 1893 was remembered by his grandchild Catriona Sheehan and her son & great grandson Sean who ran our annual 5k road race in Littleton in memory of him and his achievements. His daughter Eileen lives in Two Mile Borris where his memory is kept alive in Corcoran's Pub owned by her son Vincent & daughter in law Elaine where his picture and achievement in 1924 is adorned on the wall never to be forgotten.
Wins for Sean & David at AAI Games
The AAI Games took place in Dublin last Weekend July 13th & 14th. Sean Mockler added another Gold medal to his collection with a fine win in the Men's Hammer Throw in 68.09m. David Ryan gave a very good performance too winning his 400m race and the fastest time of the weekend in 46.98 seconds Well done David and Sean great stuff.
Hard Luck
Commiserations to Dáire O'Donnell Nenagh Olympic AC, the former Coolcroo athlete & Ballytarsna native who was due to run for Ireland in the European U18s Athletics Championships in Slovakia last Friday in the 800m but could not compete on the day due to illness, disappointing for him but these things happen in sport and i'm sure he would have learned a great deal just being in and around the Ireland squad at a major championships which will stand to him in time, he's Still only 17 & i'm sure Dáire will be back again to wear the green jersey at some point in the future.
Coolcroo to Defend title at County 10 Mile Road This Sunday
The Tipperary 10 Mile road championships take place in Fethard early this Sunday morning July 28th at 9am. Moycarkey Coolcroo are the defending champions having won Gold in both the A and the B team standings as-well as the individual race winner in Mossy Bracken who'll be doing all he can to replicate the success of 2023 by leading the club from the front on Sunday, We have an 8 man squad entered for this event the very best of luck to them who will face strong competition from the host club Fethard AC, with Dundrum AC, Moore-Abbey Milers AC, Carrick-On-Suir AC, Clonmel AC, Thurles Croke AC, Templemore AC, Newport AC ,Nenagh Olympic AC & Moyne AC also potentially in the running. Best of Luck and safe running to all competitors.