ALL ROADS THIS SUNDAY LEAD TO COLLIGAN WOOD FOR THE 35th ANNUAL KIELY MONUMENTAL COLLIGAN CUP.
This coming Sunday the 14th January we will host the 35th Annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup. The Juvenile race starts at 11 am. The senior race has a 12 noon start and is over the usual 5 miles Colligan wood circuit and Juveniles will have a single 1-mile circuit to run. The Colligan cup is a unique event in that it is run on a handicap basis where you simply predict your finishing time over a 5 mile run, with the winner being the person who is nearest to that predicted time. This makes the race open to all no matter what your standard is, everyone has the same chance of taking the title. Now in its 34th year we would like to thank sincerely our sponsor for all of those 35 years David and Margaret Kiely of Kiely Monumental for their on-going support for the local running club West Waterford AC. So for a great fun event on the yearly running calendar Colligan is where you need to be come next Sunday 14th January
HOW COLLIGAN CUP TIMING SYSTEM WORKS.
The race timing system itself will remain the same as the one Victor Mullins devised 35 years ago. The following is how the handicap timing system works, the run begins when the clock starts with the time of the slowest predicted runner’s time, say 60 minutes. As the clock counts backwards down to zero every runner begins when his or her predicted time shows up on the clock. The runner with the fastest predicted time will be the last runner to start the race. The winner of the Colligan Cup is the runner who is the first person to cross the finish line after the clock reaches zero-it is that simple. All you have to do is get your prediction right. Remember, no watches allowed or music head phones. So if you would like to become part of local athletics history and have your name inscribed on the now famous Colligan plaque which was erected in the wood some years ago by the race sponsor David Kiely of Kiely Monumental come along next Sunday. We must also mention and thank Coillte for their permission and help in letting us hold the race. We urge all going to Colligan on Sunday to please allow plenty of time as parking will be restricted on the road to one side. Please do not park where your car might obstruct the flow of traffic or interfere with the runners. This is a great family event with something for everyone. The Colligan Cup itself will be awarded to the winner of the senior race, while the Shield will be awarded to the first lady finisher. The Victor Mullins cup will be awarded to the 1st runner on the right side of the clock who is running the event for the very first time. The Juvenile Shield will be presented to the Juvenile winner. The junior race is organized by the club’s juvenile section over one lap of the Colligan circuit and it gets under way at 11AM sharp and this too is a guess your time handicap event. The senior race will start at 12 noon. All are welcome to participate.
ROLL OF HONOUR
COLLIGAN CUP WINNERS (1989-2023).
1989 Willie Henry
1990 Nicky Sheehan
1991 Richie Moore
1992 Martin Geoghegan
1993 Liam Rossiter
1994 Gerry Cantwell
1995 John Lyons
1996 Tom Meehan
1997 Colin Lyons
1998 Kathleen O’Connell
1999 Tom Fitzgerald
2000 John Whelan
2001 Ray Dwyer
2002 Ann Cronin
2003 Tony Shalloe
2004 Michael Dwyer
2005 Mark Langford
2006 Brian Collins
2007 Maurice Boland
2008 Michael Tutty
2009 Ger Wyley
2010 Kelly Cantwell
2011 Liam Sandford
2012 Conor Blackwell
2013 Michael Dwyer
2014 Ray Hahesy
2015 Dermot Dwyer
2016 J.P Curtin
2017 Patrycja Daly
2018 Brigid Coffey
2019 Martin Hayes
2020 Paula Collins (RIP)
2021 ( postponed covid)
2022 Anthony Dwyer
2023 James Ryan
LADIES SHIELD WINNERS (1994-2023).
1994-Monica Power
1995 Paula Keohan
1996 Paula Keohan
1997 Frankie Devlin (RIP)
1998 Kathleen O’ Connell
1999 June Twomey
2000 Ann Cronin
2001 Martina Budds
2002 Ann Cronin
2003 Kathleen O Connell
2004 Helene Hayes
2005 Annette Long
2006 Josie Uí Chuirrin
2007 Catriona Mulcahy
2008 Diane Behan
2009 Brigid Coffey
2010 Kelly Cantwell
2011 Aine Lombard
2012 Anne Whelan
2013 Karen Ryan
2014 Diane Behan
2015 Mary Harney
2016 Mary Harney
2017 Patrycja Daly
2018 Brigid Coffey
2019 Nicola Cunniffe
2020 Paula Collins (RIP)
2021 (posponed)
2022 Edel Curry
2023 Grainne Dwyer
Mc GRATH NEWSAGENTS JUVENILE SHIELD WINNERS (1993-2023).
1993 Alan Moore
1994 Darren Harty
1995 Ronan Dennehy
1996 Rosemarie Curran
1997 Dervla O’ Connor
1998 Rosemarie Curran
1999 Brian Kelleher
2000 David Buckley
2001 Natasha Behan
2002 Mary Ryan
2003 Lorraine McCarthy
2004 Sarah Flavin
2005 Michelle Norris
2006 Lughaidh 0’Mahony
2007 Rachel French
2008 Aaron Whelan
2009 Bobby Landers
2010 Sean Patmore
2011 Eoin Dwyer
2012 Gillian Whelan
2013 Tony Dwyer
2014 Mary Kate Prendergast
2015 Ronan Mansfield
2016 David Butler
2017 Aimee Ryan
2018 Kevin Butler
2019 Natalie Barry
2020 Kyla Flavin
2021 (posponed)
2022 Sebastian Byrne
2023 Eoin Tobin
THE VICTOR MULLINS CUP WINNERS (2009-2023)
2009 Michael Moloney
2010 Mark Cliffe
2011 Aine Lombard
2012 Tony Ferncombe
2013 Brendan Foran
2014 Keith O’Driscoll
2015 Claire Fitzpatrick
2016 Paddy Gilhooley
2017 Colm Ryan
2018 David Traynor
2019 Alan Hogan
2020 Tom Nyhan
2021 (posponed)
2022 Thomas Finn
2023 Jamie Hynes
32nd ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 MILE ROAD RACE
Were on full steam ahead now for the upcoming race of the year, the 32nd annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10. With registration completely full with over 3.750 places filled we are now nicely assembling a really top class field of elite athletes which will make for the biggest and best race to date. The race is on Sunday February 4th at the starting time of 11.00 a.m. All finishers of The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 will receive the now famous West Waterford AC goody bag, plus a Nike dry fit running top will be awarded to all runners as they cross the finishing line. The top ladies and men’s finishers will be awarded their prizes at the finish line all other prizes will be sent out by post following the race. This year’s race once again will see substantial cash prizes for the top runners and bonus cash to the first athlete to break either course record. Substantial cash prizes will follow down throughout the categories. The club committee have been working hard to ensure that the day will go off without a hitch and our hope now is the man above will do his bit by giving us a good day weather wise for the race of the year.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED FOR JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
It’s that time of year again when we take on the mammoth task of organising the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile. We have been fortunate in the past to have had help from club members and also from many outside of the club circle who come along each year to give a few hours of their time. This year we are in need of that same help again, with a large field assembled this year we will be trying to make sure these visitors to our town leave with a good experience of what Dungarvan has to offer and we hope such will be the impression we will make on them that they will want to come back again to visit the town for maybe a longer stay. We will need stewards on the course so if you have a few hours on Sunday February 4th please contact stewarding coordinator Karen Ryan on 086-8245683.Support your local athletics club-Many hands make light work!!!!
FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
VALERIE FLYNN AND RONAN CROTTY SHOW THE WAY IN GUESS YOUR TIME RUN.
We started back with the second half of the Fordes daybreak winter league last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre with great enthusiasm after the Christmas break and it was great to see such a good turnout for round 6,conditions were Ideal as the runners headed off on the 2.5 mile run and the 5.2 mile run simultaneously. With a total of 480 already registered for the league ,there’s still time for you to come along and join in the fun. There was a great number out again last Wednesday when 100 runners completed the short course on our traditional guess your time run where all runners guess their time for the distance and the runner who crosses the finish line when the clock strikes zero is the winner .This year the laurels went to Valerie Flynn, the Ballinacourty lady got her time spot on and was declared the winner as she cross the finish line in Quanns, well done Valerie, Neasa Ní Mhurchadha was just 1 second off winning and Michele Durand was 3 seconds with Gerry Cummins 4 seconds and Karen Tubbritt was 5 off, on the too fast side of the clock was Kelly Campbell 7seconds Sarah Breen was only 8 seconds out and Joey Miller 9 and Micheal Moynihan was 10 seconds too fast.Now the big question is can any of you repeat this on Sunday at the Colligan cup and bring home the big prize, time will tell. On the long course where we had a brilliant number of 190 runners the nearest to his predicted time was Ronan Crotty who cross the finish line as the clock struck zero to be deemed the winner and the runner who was nearest his time. Ronan a native of Rathgormack the home of the current county football champions can obviously also produce the odd good runner as well, so congratulations to Ronan, second on the night was Kate Higgins and Carol Gaffney both just 1 second off the time and Tasha Lanigan was 2 seconds out and David Donnelly was 3 seconds off, Just a seconds to fast was Tomas Mahony while Geraldine Lacey was 2 seconds to fast and Owen Power 3 seconds. A Fordes Daybreak long sleeved tee shirt will be awarded to all participants at the end of the league this year so just complete 7 out of the 10 possible rounds, so make sure to get your quote in.
FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
SHORT ROUTE TABLES REVEALED.
The tables are now taking shape on the short course and the current leader is Grainne Moore with 560 points from second on 524 Gerry Cummins and 3rd is Valerie Flynn with 509 points and 4th is Michelle Durand on 506 points , Kellie Shalloe and James Meagher are both on 502 points sharing 5th place. The 11 divisions are far from sorted at this stage with very little between many of the contenders so plenty more running to be done yet folks.
The current top 6 is:
1 Grainne Moore 560
2 Gerry Cummins 524
3 Valerie Flynn 509
4 Michele Durand 506
5 Kelly Shalloe 502
6 James Meagher 502
Division 2 Pat Frisby 438 Jj Fitzgerald 435 Niall Power 435
Division 3 Carmel O Donovan 399 Aoife Bradley 397 Eileen Campbell 397
Division 4 Dave Campbell 367 Emma Queally 367 Olivia Curran 365
Division 5 Linda O Neill 338 Rosemary Curran 338 Raymond Darcy 334 Ruth Flynn 334
Division 6 Tadhg Prendergast 317 Martin Collender 317 Zoey Barry Fernconbe 314
Division 7 Niamh Murphy 297 Nessa Foley 297 Clare Crotty 292
Division 8 Kevin Joyce 265 Alan Kinsella 263Pascal Hosford 262 Moylan Brunnock 262
Division 9 Claire Cosgrave 240 Eilis Walsh 237 Caroline Ryan 237 Ita Byrne 237
Division 10 Pauline Drohan 199 Sinead Hehir 199 Leah Crotty 197
Division 11 Patrick Cumiskey 166 Claire Fennell 166 Michelle Mullaney 163
ALL TO PLAY FOR-BETWEEN RUNNERS ON LONG COURSE.
It was back to the battle grounds on the 1st night back and 6th in all of the Fordes Daybreak winter league last Wednesday after our Christmas break when190 completed the long course. The league tables are really starting to take shape now with 6 rounds completed and 4 rounds left. Many of the divisions are far from certain with little or nothing between runner’s points wise in most divisional tables. So with 12 divisions in total there’s plenty of battling to go on yet around the streets of our town for the next 4 Wednesday evenings, best of luck to all. Don’t forget to make your way to Colligan next Sunday for the Kiely Monumental Colligan cup , it could be you this year you’d never know.
The current top 5 is:
Conor Hennebry 1009
Colm O Connell 996
Carol Gaffney 969
David Donnelly 949
Cathal Dwane 935
div 2. Eoin Walsh 832 Cárthach Shalloe 827 Linda Bradfield 826 Donall Mc Grath 826
div 3. Joe Grant 781 Tj Crotty 781 James Connors 780
div 4. Mark Cliffe734 James Whelan733 Richie Walsh (74) 732
div 5. Cara Mullaney 695 Michael Hayes 694 Martina Carver 694
div 6. Micheál O Chuirrin 666 Paul Murray 664 Fiona Ormonde 661
div 7. Owen Young 619 Josie Uì Chuirrìn 617 Robert Shaw Hamilton 617
div 8. Angela Bree 596 Ian Cliffe 595 Michelle Finnegan 595
div 9. Colin Crotty 567 Sean Ryan 566 Helen Ryan 565
div 10. Alan Toff 518 Rosie Mansfield 518 David Morrissey 517 Paddy Mulhearne 517
div 11. Martina Holmes 482 Eamonn Curran 479 Dervla Duhig 475
div 12. Brendan Kent 406 Mary Riordan 401 Brian Mc Menamin 388
BESPOKE TEE FOR PARTICIPANTS OF WINTER LEAGUE.
A bespoke long sleeved Tee Shirt will be awarded to all winter league participants who complete 7 of the possible 10 rounds of the Fordes Daybreak winter league.
2024 WEST WATERFORD AC FIXTURES
14th January 2024-Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup
4th February 204-John Treacy 10 Mile
3rd April to 1st May 2024-Mason Colligan Hill League for 5 Wednesdays
1st April 2024-Aglish Fun Run
10th May 2024-AHS Tuning Ballinroad 5k
24th May 2024-Round Tower Hotel Ardmore 5 Mile
7th June 2024-Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 Mile
28th June 2024-Oriel Bar Ballymac 5 Mile
5th July 2024-Deise College 10 k
19th July 2024-Ballinameala 5k
31st August 2024-Eurofins Greenway Half Marathon
17th November 2024-Murrays Pharmacy Brickey 5k
08th December 2024-Turkey Trot
TOGHER AC 5K.
The final race around these parts for 2023 was held on new year’s eve morning when the Togher AC 5k was held in the city. On a wet and windy day a field of 664 competed with the overall victory going to local man John Durcan Togher AC with a time of 15.21 with the Ladies victory going to Lizzie Lee Leevale AC in 17.19,Lizziefinished 25th overall in the race. West Waterford AC had 3 athletes who made the trip to Cork Joe Gough finished 111th to win the over 70 category in a time of 19.36 which was a new Irish record for the age category. Michael Coakley came in in 334th place with a time of 25.16 and our only Lady competing was Martina Beechinor in a time of 27:08 was 424th . Well done to all.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Tom Riordan Ballintlea, Leamybrien, and Nicholas Kennedy ,Ballygunner, Waterford who passed to their eternal reward recently, may they rest in peace.
