The MTU Athletics Track Night in Cork took place recently, 8th June and provided Clonmel AC athletes with the ideal opportunity of displaying how well they are running early season.
In the Mens 5,000m A race, we had three participants in David Mansfield, Evan Fitzgerald and William Maunsell competing for honours. Each of these three athletes took turns at leading the race over the initial early laps. Then at around 2 miles into it, David Mansfield moved to the front and gradually open a lead on the chasing pack that he held all the way to the line to win very impressively in 14 mins 52.05 secs. This was a massive improvement by David as his previous best was 15 mins 3.63 secs achieved in 2019. The tussle for the minor placings developed into a great race between Evan Fitzgerald and Ger Forde of Kilkenny City Harriers. It was only inside the final km that Evan began to edge in front and he kept it going all the way to record a very impressive PB of 15 mins 0.35 secs. Going into this race Evan previous best was 15 mins 12.35 secs. Then we had William Maunsell was also running strongly in the poor conditions and was rewarded with finishing 5th in a solid 15.20.20 secs. Well done to all.
In the second Mens 5 000m of the night, Nigel O’Flaherty more accustomed to the road, ran a very brave race in what was his first track race for quite some time. He too should be delighted with his performance when finishing 5th in 17 mins to finish an excellent 5th in 17.07. Overall then it was a tremendous night for Clonmel AC with athletes showing just how strong the club is at senior level. Now it is over to Sean Tobin in Nice on Saturday night to maintain the club’s international obligations in his ongoing efforts at Olympic qualification.