Laois Senior Road Championships Ballyroan 25.2.24

Ballyroan/ Abbeyleix and District hosted the Laois Senior Road Championships in Ballyroan on Sunday with athletes undertaking a challenging course from the village towards Abbeyleix. The addition of a stiff breeze on the day made for testing conditions for each of the athletes. In the Women’s event St Abbans had only two competitors meaning we could not impact on the team event. Nonetheless Siobhan Burke and Claire Phelan had excellent runs around the 4000m course. Siobhan was first home for the club in 5th place with Claire just behind in 7th place. In the Men’s event, the club fielded a strong team with Laois Senior Cross Country Champion Jack Fenlon leading the charge. He was joined on the start line by Cian Kelly who won the silver medal in the Cross Country as well as Brian Kelly and Stephen Hunter. Ballyroan also fielded a strong team and it was clear that very little would divide the teams on the day. As the men made their way around Jack and Cian McDonald of Balyroan had bridged a gap from the rest of the field. Cian Kelly and Barry McEvoy were battling for 3rd and 4th place with another battle taking place for 5th and 6th between Brian Kelly and Jack McMahon. When they came back in along the main road, Jack Fenlon had made a significant move to take victory. Cian McDonald was 2nd with Barry McEvoy just getting the better of Cian Kelly with a sprint. Jack McMahon was next and then Brian Kelly in 6th place. Stephen Hunter completed the team in 8th place which meant St Abbans claimed victory over Ballyroan/ Abbeyleix by 6 points. Well done to each of the athletes and their coaches involved. Many thanks to Ballyroan/ Abbeyleix and District for their hosting of the event and the refreshments served afterwards.