26th ANNUAL EASON DUNGARVAN 10K.
ZAKIS AND SWEENEY TRIUMPH.
Last Sunday the 26th Annual Eason Dungarvan 10k was held in ideal weather conditions. The treating rain held off and just before the start the sun came out to make running conditions ideal if not even a bit warm for the big field of runners assembled for this year event. We had a good turn out of 153 runners which included many Ladies who were celebrating mothering Sunday by taking part in the10k event. The race set off from the N25 taking in the Brickey Valley, Canal circuit and back in the Cork road to the finish line. The race was the final race in this years very successful Michael Roche Carpets spring series and a full report will be carried in next week’s notes of this.
Turning back to last Sunday’s race where the Seamus Power memorial trophy was won by the inform Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC who in recent weeks has also won the Dunhill 5 two weeks ago and last week the Bausch and Lomb Kilmacthomas 5.Raivis had previously won the Eason Dungarvan 10k some four years ago for the first time and Sunday was his second success over this course. Having finished second in this race the previous two years when victory went on both occasions to club mate Sandis Bralitis but unfortunately he is currently on the injured list and was unable to attempt to win his third Eason Dungarvan 10k in a row, This saw Raivis installed as the hot favourite for Sunday’s event and he duly lead from the gun to tape, covering the first mile in a blistering 5.01 with no other athlete able to match him it soon become a one man show with the rest of the field all of 200 meters behind from early on, This fast start from Raivis soon became a race against the clock as it increasingly came apparent that he could be on for a personal best time for the distance, as he went through 2 miles in 5.07,3 in 5.04, 4 in 5.08 and was clocked at 25.31 at 5 miles, covering the 5th mile in 5.09 with no other athlete in sight at this stage he finished a somewhat easy winner in a splendid 31.34 after a 5.03 6th mile, and this was indeed good enough for a personal best time by a whopping 39 seconds and he did it all alone which make’s it even more pleasing. Visitor Kevin Murphy of Slaney Olympic Wexford was the second athlete to cross the line in a time of 32.53.Kevin took the over 40 prize on the day, second Senior and finishing in third place overall was Danny Smith of Ballynonty AC in Tipperary with a time of 33.41,finishing 4th overall and third Senior was Philip Harty West Waterford AC 33.47.How pleasing for us all to see Philip back in the winners enclosure again,He’s been far too long side lined and we know Philip is making great strides to get back to full fitness and he knows as well as anyone that it’s a hard to achieve the level of fitness he once held without hard work ,but its obvious from Sundays performance that the work is being done, All at the club and all involved in athletes wish him back to where he belongs at the helm of the sport he once mastered at, keep up the good work Philip age is on your side.
THE BATTLING MASTERS.
The Masters titles were keenly fought for last Sunday in the Eason Dungarvan 10k, The over 40 race award with a fine run finishing 2nd overall was Kevin Murphy of Slaney Olympic AC with a time of 32.53,the over 45 title went to Larry Kennedy Waterford AC who headed up a huge number of Waterford AC runners on the day, The over 50 win was claimed by Gerry Cantwell West Waterford AC with a time of 36.50,Winning the over 50 section last year Joe Gough has now slipped into the over 55 category and he duly obliged with another fine win with a time of 37.52 in thst catagory.The over 60 section was won by Pat Connaughton West Waterford in 46.07.The team award for Senior men was won by host club West Waterford with 31 points Declan McGrath, Patrick O’ Riordan and P.J.Guinan.West Waterford also took a clean sweep of the other team prizes over 45 and 50.
ONLY SECONDS SEPARATE TOP LADIES.
St.Finbarrs AC provided our Ladies winner last Sunday in the guise of the popular Mary Sweeney with a time of 38.55 the V 45 year old is a lady who has done it all from the road to cross country, track and field, indoors and outdoors, she is without doubt in this scribes opinion anyway, one of the best all-round if not the best all-round Female athlete in the country spanning a career of some 30 years or more Mary has won almost every Irish title in the book and her next challenge is the Marathon as she prepares for the upcoming Paris event in April, Mary finished second in this race last year to then winner Jackie Carty Kilmore.Mary was a deserving winner last Sunday with a time of 38.55 however the Ladies race wasn’t all as one sided as the Men’s race was with 5 Ladies all within 26 seconds of each other at the finish line to give us one of the best ever Ladies races witnessed in this event. Taking second place in a time of 39.02 was the improving with every outing Corinna Walsh of the race host club West Waterford just 7 seconds behind Mary, Corinna gave it her all on the day but was just of the pace as the leading Ladies sprinted for home, but without doubt her day is quickly approaching and she is now knocking on the winners door once again, Corinna’s club mate and winner last weekend in the Kilmac 5 Diane Behan was just another 5 seconds behind her in third place 39.08.As you can see from the results nothing between any of the Ladies last Sunday all of them capable of taking the win, It all came down to that little bit of luck on the day. Angela McCann Clonmel AC won the over 35 section in 39.16 with the over 40 winner coming from Sports World AC Dublin Helen White 39.21,Eibhlis Ni hAodha West Waterford AC took the over 45 section 41.51 and Waterford’s Anne Fitzgerald the over 50 title in 41.59.Terri Gough was first over 55 59.57 and Waterford won the Ladies team Mary Burke, Brea Cooke and Joan Mahoney with 138 points.
CORINNA WALSH WINS MIKEY ROCHE MEMORIAL TROPHY AND GERRY CANTWELL THE DUNABBEY TROPHY.
The Mikey Roche memorial trophy presented by the Power family Mitchell St, in memory of their late uncle was won this year for the third time by Corinna Walsh who finished 2nd Senior Lady overall. Corinna last won this trophy in 2002 and 2003 so after a laps of 5 years she has managed to get her name once more inscribed on this club trophy.Also up for grabs was the friends of West Waterford Dunabbey trophy for the first local Master to finish the race, and for the very first time the old warrior of road racing Gerry Cantwell was our victor Gerry finished 12th overall ina time of 36.50.well done to both Corinna and Gerry
RACE ORGANISATION.
West Waterford athletic club wishes to thank the Whyte family and there staff at Eason’s Dungarvan which is located at The Shopping Centre for their kind sponsorship of the Dungarvan 10k last Sunday, Special thanks to Mary Foley and Catherine O’Sullivan who were on hand on behalf of Eason’s to present all the winners with there prizes this was much appreciated by the club, To Garry Power on behalf of the Power family Mitchell St for presenting the Mickey Roche and the Seamus Power memorial trophies for this race, Thanks also to the Dungarvan G.A.A, for affording us the use of your fine facility for the race this was very much appreciated, To Conor Norris who co-ordinated all traffic movement on the day much thanks for your help and a very special thank you to Garda Declan Walsh on motor bike many thanks for all your help once again Declan. To all the stewards, time keepers, results, race registration, a system, thanks to all the ladies who looked after the sandwiches and refreshments after the race especially Eileen, Norma, Triona, Breda etc. Our very special thanks to Dunnes Stores Dungarvan who supplied the race with all the ingredients for the sandwiches this gesture was much appreciated by the club. Thanks to Gerry Cantwell who was the driving force behind the wheel of yet again another very successful road race in West Waterford, Finally thanks to Ann Dunford who looked after the prizes for the race.
EASON DUNGARVAN 10 K RESULTS
Men Senior.
1st Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 31.34. (PB)
2nd Danny Smith Ballynonty AC 33.41
3rd Philip Harty West Waterford AC 33.47
Over 40 Kevin Murphy Slaney Olympic AC 32.53
Over 45 Larry Kennedy Waterford AC 35.15
Over 50 Gerry Cantwell West Waterford AC 36.50
Over 55 Joe Gough West Waterford AC 37.52
Over 60 Pat Connaughton West Waterford AC 46.07
1st Senior Mens Team West Waterford AC
Declan McGrath- 6 Patrick O’Riordan 11-P.J.Guinan 13 = 30 points
1st over 40 West Waterford AC
Michael Dunford 14th –Martin Hayes 19th – Conor Murray 32nd =65 points
1st over 45 West Waterford AC
Eamon Phelan 36th – Liam Kavanagh 44th-Tom Moroney 68th = 148 ponits.
1st over 50 West Waterford AC
Colin Lyons 29th-Anthony Dwyer 51st-Michael Hennessey 90th = 170 points
Senior Ladies.
1st Mary Sweeney St.Finbars AC 38.55
2nd Corinna Walsh West Waterford AC 39.02
3rd Diane Behan West Waterford AC 39.08
1st Over 35 Angela McCann Clonmel AC 39.16
1st Over 40 Helen White Sports World AC 39.21
1st Over 45 Eibhlis Ní hAodha West Waterford AC 41.51
1st Over 50 Anne Fitzgerald Waterford AC 41.59
1st Over 55 Terri Gough West Waterford AC 59.57
Ladies Team 1st Waterford AC
Mary Burke 45th-Brea Cooke 46th –Joan Mahony 47th =138 points.
NEXT BIG LOCAL EVENT.
MASON MORTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.
The clubs next big local event is the four week Mason Mortgages and financial services Colligan running league for beginners and regular runners and all are welcome once they are over 16 years of age, We would especially encourage newcomers to come along and join in the fun at Colligan , The overall winner of the league will receive the Veale family perpetual shield, The league will continue for four Wednesday March 19th -26th April 2nd and finishing on 09th.See you on the hill.!!!
RUNNING QUOTE.
If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It’s raining? That doesn’t matter. I am tired? That’s beside the point. It’s simply that I just have to. Michael Hennessey.
90 WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES ON BALLYCOTTON 10-STARTING LINE.
All roads lead to the Ballycotton this Sunday March 9th for race number 3 in these years John Buckley Sports Munster 10 mile classic series. The clubs yearly trip to the East Cork fishing village for arguably the countries best 10 mile road race see’s again this year a huge contingent of West Waterford AC athletes face Dan McCarthy’s starters pistol. The race has a 1.30 PM starting time. All runners should now have received their race number if not a help desk will be open on race day from 10 AM at the Primary School in Ballycotton.under no circumstances are you allowed to transfer a race number, a very dim view is taken of this by the race organisers at Ballycotton running promotions and we urge our members to adhere to their rules on this point,
The race promoters appeal to runners not to line up at the very front of the field if your not going to run under the 1 hour mark, give the elite runners plenty of space, we will have time to make our way through the field over the 10 mile course. There will be a marquee at the school grounds for changing on the day but please note no showers. With a field of 2.500 runners expected all is set for a bumper turn out to one of the country’s best loved events, West Waterford AC have played a big part in the success of this race over the past 30 years from the huge number of runners from our club who make the trip each year to those who travel up to work behind the scenes on race day organisation, along side our friends in Ballycotton running promotions.
Ballycotton is as we said race number 3 in the 6th Annual John Buckley Sports Spring classic series with the Mallow 10 held in January and the very successful Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10 earlier this month the Kilnaboy 10 in Co. Clare will be held on Sunday April 13th at 2 PM to round of this year series.
All runners who completed the four races will receive long sleeve t-shirt complements of the sponsor. All travelling to Ballycotton please note that the park and ride system will be in operation so give yourself plenty of time to get to the race start. We also ask our entire club runners to wear their club vest for this race and all races and always wear your number on the front.
BUS.
Please note any athletes travelling on the club bus to Ballycotton on Sunday that it will leave the Park Hotel at 10.30 Am sharp.
PADDY JOE DELANEY MEMORIAL SHIELD.
As previous years all West Waterford runners are reminded that the official club get together after the race will be held at the Gold Post Bar Shanagarry on our way home, Showers by kind permission of the G.A.A.club are available to West Waterford AC runners for a small fee which will be covered by the club. Plenty of discussion will take place on the days proceedings, of course a very special function will also take place that’s the presentation of the Paddy Joe Delaney memorial shield to the first West Waterford runner to finish the Ballycotton 10,We will also raffle our annual pair of running shoes among all in attendance .The winner of the Paddy Joe Delaney shield last year was Sandis Bralitis and the shield was won at the Dublin City Marathon in October by Brendan Whelan. However the shield will find a new home after Sunday at least for the Ballycotton section of the competition as Sandis Bralitis is currently on the injury list and this duly installs Raivis Zakis as a clear favourite too add to his tally of wins in this club competition. Best of luck to all in Ballycotton waddle on friends.
List of West Waterford AC entries for Sundays Ballycotton 10.
352 O’BRIEN, Catriona West Waterford AC F35
355 MCGRATH, Declan West Waterford AC M
356 RYAN, Karen West Waterford AC F
357 RYAN, Dermot West Waterford AC M
801 O’RIORDAN, Patrick West Waterford AC M
854 REGAN, David West Waterford AC M
883 DRENNAN, Angeline West Waterford AC F
884 WALSH, Clare West Waterford AC F
885 WALSH, Martina West Waterford AC F
894 FENNELL, John West Waterford AC M
1279 KELLEHER, Con West Waterford AC M55
1326 LANNEN, Paddy West Waterford AC M65
1327 BRADFIELD, Linda West Waterford AC F35
1374 WADE, David West Waterford AC M45
1484 MURRAY, Conor West Waterford AC M40
1485 BUDDS, Liam West Waterford AC M
1486 BUDDS, Niamh West Waterford AC F
1564 MURRAY, Ray West Waterford AC M55
1569 FLEMING, Jim West Waterford AC M40
1570 DUNFORD, Michael West Waterford AC M40
1571 DUNFORD, Joanne West Waterford AC F35
1573 GUINAN, PJ West Waterford AC M
1609 MCCARTHY, Michael West Waterford AC M50
1655 BARRETT, Brian West Waterford AC M
1717 CURRAN, Raymond West Waterford AC M40
1749 DUHIG, Jim West Waterford AC M40
1757 GOUGH, Terri West Waterford AC F60
1793 HAYES, Helene West Waterford AC F50
1922 O’ BRIEN, Thomas West Waterford AC M40
1943 SHEIL, Don West Waterford AC M50
1944 SHEIL, Jacinta West Waterford AC F45
1947 WALL, Norma West Waterford AC F
1948 WALL, Triona West Waterford AC F
1961 HUNT, Brenda West Waterford AC F
2054 COONEY, Michael West Waterford AC M
2104 DELANEY, Maria West Waterford AC F
2105 MULLARKEY, Martin West Waterford AC M
2164 FRAHER, Gerard West Waterford AC M40
2254 SHANLEY, Alice West Waterford AC F40
2257 SCANLAN, Thomas West Waterford AC M50
2258 UI CHUIRRIN, Josie West Waterford AC F45
2261 MULCAHY, Catriona West Waterford AC F
2262 CONNORS, David West Waterford AC M
2263 O DROMA, Seamus West Waterford AC M50
2351 BYRNE, Regina West Waterford AC F
2435 HANNON, Susan West Waterford AC F
2481 FINNEGAN, Richard West Waterford AC M
2554 TUTTY, Vincent West Waterford AC M40
2566 WADE, Michael West Waterford AC M45
2582 DEEGAN, Michael West Waterford AC M50
2602 NAVIN, Earl West Waterford AC M
2627 POWER, Margaret West Waterford AC F45
2633 HEFFERNAN, John West Waterford AC M45
2680 DWYER, Sean West Waterford AC M
2681 DWYER, Dermot West Waterford AC M
2682 MORRISSEY, Patrick West Waterford AC M
2683 RYAN, Martina West Waterford AC F35
2727 VERLING, Mick West Waterford AC M
2728 KEALY, Rosarie West Waterford AC F35
2734 COLLINS, Brian West Waterford AC M40
2758 FLAVIN, Eamonn West Waterford AC M
2759 TUTTY, Michael West Waterford AC M45
2773 MORONEY, Ann West Waterford AC F50
2774 DUNFORD, Patrick West Waterford AC M40
2775 DUNFORD, Ann West Waterford AC F40
2781 MCMANUS, Paul West Waterford AC M40
2812 LEARY, Andrew West Waterford AC M40
2817 DWYER, Ray West Waterford AC M40
2857 BRUNNOCK, Paul West Waterford AC M40
2861 NOLAN, Padraig West Waterford AC M
2874 MASON, Trevor West Waterford AC M
2875 O’DONNELL, Kenneth West Waterford AC M
2899 ROCHE, Michael West Waterford AC M55
2901 PROCTOR, Paschal West Waterford AC M55
2903 CAMPBELL, David West Waterford AC M40
2904 DURAND, Michele West Waterford AC F35
2927 HEFFERNAN, Geraldine West Waterford AC F
2930 HAYES, Martin West Waterford AC M40
2933 COLEMAN, Billy West Waterford AC M40
2946 HENNESSY, Michael West Waterford AC M55
2950 DEE, Jason West Waterford AC M
2956 COONAN, Justin West Waterford AC M
2965 O’CONNOR, Johnny West Waterford AC M
3001 TUTTY, George West Waterford AC M55
3041 CANTWELL, Gerard West Waterford AC M50
3055 O’RIORDAN, Eoin West Waterford AC M
3072 KAVANAGH, Liam West Waterford AC M45
ZAKIS Raivis West Waterfod AC M
MC CARTHY Martin West Waterford AC M
BEHAN Diane West Waterford AC F35
BALLYCOTTON ’10’ .
CORK CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE DESIGNATED OFFICIAL RACE CHARITY
With only a few days to go before the famous Ballycotton ’10’ takes to the
roads around the scenic East Cork village, this year’s designated charity,
the Cork Cancer Research Centre (CCRC), is appealing to all those who have
entered in the race to run on their behalf. This year’s race takes place on Sunday next 9th March and has attracted 2,500 runners from all over Ireland as well as the UK, the USA, Germany, and Belgium. At this stage the 2,500 runners who have gained entry into the race should have received their race packs,’ said a spokesperson from the
CCRC. ‘Each race pack contains a sponsorship card for the Cork Cancer
Research Centre Therefore, we would appeal to runners to possibly consider donating what ever they can to The CCRC who will have a stand in the Community Hall in Ballycotton on the day of the race and sponsorship money raised for the CCRC can be handed in to the stand on the day.
Bernice Glavin will also be attending the event and selling her book ‘The
Journey’ at the CCRC stand. Bernice was diagnosed with cancer in November
2005 and the book tells of her own story of her battle with cancer. There
are difficult moments as well amusing moments, however the book highlights
that life goes on after cancer diagnosis and can, in fact, be enhanced by
the experience. Join the fight against cancer and make a difference today – help us to influence the future. For further information, please contact Fiona or Orlaon 021 463 6612 or visit www.ccrc.ie
TWO WEST WEATERFORD ATHLETES ON IRISH TEAM FOR FRANCE.
Current Irish champions Brendan Moran and Joe Gough from West Waterford AC have received the good news that they have been selected to represent Ireland at the 3rd World Masters Athletic Indoor Championships in Clermont- Ferrand in France from the 17th -23th March. Moran will compete in the 60 and 200 metres over 50 years and Gough in the 800 over 55.Both athletes have their opening heats on the 17 march and lets hope our national saint will guide them through to the next rounds safely! 3625 athletes from 59 countries have entered and will participate in a total of 6781 events when all the age categories are included making this the biggest World Masters Championships ever. The host country, France, will send 1267 athletes, Germany 383, Spain 334, Italy319, Great Britain 285, USA 132, Africa 56, South America 26, Asia 32.Brendan Moran will be up against some of the finest master sprinters in the world but is confident he will proceed through the various rounds as he is running very well at the moment evidenced by his fine victories at the national championships recently. Joe Gough having recently broken the Irish record for his event and beaten the best in the British championships in London last week must stand a good chance of reaching the final of the 800 which will beheld on Tuesday the 18 march. Competing against him will be the likes of the current world 1500 champion Nolan Shaheed, USA, and the European 1500 champion and 800 silver medallists West Waterford club mates will be up against. We, in the club wish them every success and there progress can be followed in the comfort of your home or office by logging on to the web site www.world-masters-athletics.org. Remember the dates 17-23 March.
BUDAPEST MARATHON 2008.
Jacinta has asked us to remind all those travelling to The Budapest Marathon which is on Sunday 5th October, 2008.That your deposit has to be paid pronto to Court Travel Mary St.The flight departs Dublin on Friday 3/10/08 at 3.15 p.m.returning on Monday or Tuesday 6(7)/10/08 – 8.15 p.m.3 or 4 nights. Get your deposit to Court Travel today.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the Hehir family on the passing of Mrs Betty Hehir Shandon St.Dungarvan.May she rest in peace.
EMERALD FINANCIAL CLUB ANNUAL.
This week in our remembering other days slot we take another insert from our upcoming club Annual of an event which happened all of 30 years ago this year, It was 1978 a year which was to go down in the annals of Irish athletics history as John Treacy was in Glasgow in March become the world cross country champions for the first time, A subject which we will return to in a couple of weeks time, our piece this week take a look back at another very important event in Waterford, It was our Senior Men’s team who were going for 3 All Ireland title in a row which they duly did in fine style, also on that a scoring member on that famous team was our own Tony Ryan along with Michael Roche and Joe Sheehan who also played their part in a famous date for Waterford cross country running.
REMEMBERING OTHER DAYS.
30 YERARS AGO.
December 23rd 1978- John Treacy Leads Waterford to Four in A Row
John Treacy of Villierstown isn’t the world cross-country champion for nothing. This win last march in Glasgow will always be remembered in the history books of athletes and further evidence that he will made a bold bid to retain his crown was there for all to see in Kilbarry on Sunday last. It was over the same course last year that John Treacy gave one of the best individual performances ever seen in this country when he led Waterford to their third in a row cross country championships. If anything last Sunday’s solo performance by the Villierstown athlete surpassed that of the previous year when he won by fifthy one seconds from Ger Deegan and Danny McDaid of Donegal. The fact that he had been beaten in his two cross country outings in Paris and London in the past few weeks was seen in certain quarters as a bad sign that the world cross country champion wasn’t going so well. What should be remembered is that March is still a bit off and that is the time when John Treacy really wants to be in top form.
Last Sunday’s run gave plenty of encouragement that his plans are well in hand and the manner in which he left the rest of the field behind at such an early stage of the race speaks volumes for his ability. To throw down such a daunting challenge to the rest of the field as if asking them what they intended to do about it was what one would expect of a real champion and this is what John Treacy is. At no stage did it look like anything but a facile win for him but the margin of his success was not expected as many predicted that Ger Deegan would repeat his performance of the week before. This time however there was going to be no photo finish and John Treacy saw to that.
Ger Deegan was the first to admit after the race that there was no living with his friend and rival on the day and the largest crowds ever seen at the cross country meeting in the country were generous in their applause as they rose to cheer home the world cross country champion as he came to the finishing line. John Treacy was a happy man after the race as he had proved himself in a very definite fashion and he returned to America on Monday morning knowing that his would be a happy Christmas as he continues his build up for the big race in limerick on march 25th. Ger Deegan can also be well pleased with his run even though he was hoping to be first but last Sunday wasn’t his day with John Treacy in such devastating form. Ger is well on the road back to his old form and he will continue to improve as his win in crystal palace did his confidence the world of good and he has settled down well at home again after his year in providence university.
It was a happy return home for Ray Treacy and he more than anyone else played a vital role in winning the inter-county title for the fourth year in a row. Few realized that the tail of the Waterford team was wagging more that expected and after halfway of the race every place was vital if Waterford were to beat a Dublin team led by Eamon Coghlan and also including imports from Kerry and Roscommon in the person of Jerry Kiernan and Padraig Keane. Ray drifted to eight places at one stage but he recovered and on the last lap was disputing with Donie Walsh of cork for fourth place. Amid great excitement up the finishing straight, Ray sprinted past the cork athlete and this in itself was the deciding factor as it meant that Waterford had three athletes home for a mere seven point and so were well on their way to victory or so it seemed. Later events were to show that just one point made up the difference between victory and defeat and the other three scoring athletes all played their part although they cause many a heart to beat loudly before the issue was resolved in their favour. Tony Ryan led the tail home in twenty first place and while this was not as good as his performance last year he gave it all he had and made the vital few extra places on the last two rounds.
Brendan Quinn was feeling the effects of the journey home from America as he only come with Ray Treacy on Friday morning. Still he stuck to the task with great determination to finish three places behind Tony Ryan and once again it was left to Roger Barron to put the seal on victory and to his eternal credit he did so although under a fair amount of distress on the last lap.
The after race inquests revealed the fact that if Waterford hope to retain their title for a record breaking five in a row next year then much more preparation and effort will need to be put in as the other counties are hell bent on lowering the colours of Waterford team. For last Sundays race the Dublin team had some squad training sessions together and it nearly paid dividends. Waterford will have to do likewise and more than likely the venue will be some place outside the county.
Bouquets all round, however to the all conquering Waterford ream that thrilled the hearts of their supporters on Sunday last and even though it was expected to have been easier to win the records will always show that Waterford did it. A word of praise also for the rest of the team who were David Browne, Liam Nolan, Pat Halley, Mick Cullen, Michael Roche and a gallant Joe Sheehan who stood in at the last minute for John Barry who was the most disappointed athlete present on Sunday last when he couldn’t run due to illness.
The junior race gave some hope for the future especially the performances of Derek grant who was eleventh and Sean Foley who was twenty sixth in his first race over this distance. The other members of the team were Tim Foley, Alfie Burns, Derek Tebay and Thomas Power and they all gave of their best. One of the greatest days ever for Waterford athletes when the crowds turned out to greet the world cross-country champion on his home ground and saw Waterford make it four in a row.
