MUNSTER MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.
LADIES WIN INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM MEDALS.
The Munster Masters and Juvenile B’s cross country championships were held last Sunday on Tralee racecourse Co.Kerry.On a day when you wouldn’t even put out a milk bottle, despite the inclement weather we were on the road early for the Kerry venue with Conor’s Sat Nav guiding us most of the way, well until we got lost that was, However we were soon back on track and arrived in plenty of time for the first race the Master Men’s. The club were well represented in this race as we had an over 35 and an over 50 team participating. Competition was of a high standard and both teams finished in 4th place on the day. The club team here were Michael Tutty, Vincent Tutty, Conor Murray, Con Kelleher, and Michael Wade. Joe Gough, Pat Dunford and Colin Lyons
The club did see some success in the Ladies race, returning home with Munster medals. In the over 35 race Diane Behan gave another very good performance when taking a deserved bronze medal in the over 35 section, Diane also lead her team to silver medals with a tally of 47 points behind winners St.Finbars who won with 20 points and Ennis Track were third on 52 points. The West Waterford team were Diane Behan, Ann Dunford, Anne Whelan, Brigid Coffey and Judy Hanrahan.Turning to the over 45 Ladies the club also took a good silver her behind St.Finbars AC who won on 36 points. West Waterford’s tally was 83 points. The team were Eibhlis Ní hAodha, Josie Uí Chuirrin and Margaret Power (winning her first Munster cross country medal). Well done Girls and Boys and congratulations to all and to cross Country coordinator Tony Ryan for all his work in ensuring the club fielded teams in all categories of the championships.
ALL ROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE.
CHRISTY POWER LEADS HOME THE 2.7 MILERS.
While Dan and Shane were doing their bit out stewarding at Duckspool last Wednesday night another of the Power clan Christy was doing his bit also when leading home the 2.7-mile league runner’s. It was quite a showery night but the runners were lucky enough as we more or less got both leagues completed between the showers. Christy was clocked at 19.45 on his first league run, Tom Leahy was next with a time of 20.07 and our first Lady finisher on the night was in third place Grainne Ní Cheirin 23.19.While husband Liam was winding his way round the 5.7 mile course Niamh Budds was well up the pecking order in the 2.7 mile course finishing 5th with a time of 24.12.Pat Keane opted for the 2.7 league this year and came home 6th in a time of 24.50 while his wife Marian is having a go at the longer distance, and indeed is now completing the 5.7 with ease.Vinnny McCarthy and Eunice Power had a ding dong battle last week with just 10 seconds separating them at the finish Vinny ran 27.26 and Eunice ran a time of 27.36.Pat O’Connell ran a good time of 22.03,while Martin Quinlan is now knocking on the sub 20 minute mark after running a time of 20.54 last week, Anne Ledingham is keeping that great Ledingham tradition going in West Waterford AC and she is enjoying the league this year, Anne completed the course in a time of 24.36.Keeping the flag flying for Waterford County Council is Karolina Mazur with a great run last week of 20.48.Up and coming promising Dungarvan Juvenile G.A.A.player Kenneth Moore and Tagdh O’Cuirrin crossed the line together clocking a time of 15.56.while the two Flynn’s Shirley and Caroline did likewise both recording the same time of 23.51.well done girls. Fastest runner on the night last week was Joe Gough with a time of 14.38.Joe is currently preparing for the upcoming indoor Track season.
O’HARTAIGH LIKE A DUCK TO WATER.
Ballygunner school teacher and Ring native Padraig O’Hartaigh a new comer to the league this year was in sparkling form last Wednesday evening at the 5.7-mile league when he covered the distance in a very fast 37.37 to lead home the 122 participants on the night. Padraig who has taken to the running scene like as the saying goes a duck to water was followed home by Michael Whelan 42.19.Michael a Winter league regular was making his first appearance in this year league. Showing no ill effects from the Amsterdam Marathon Liam Budds finished third with a time of 37.18.Gerry O’Connor was another competing for the first time last week and he was next across the line with a time of 40.45,Gerry recently has taken up a new position as manager of the fine new shopping centre in Tipperary and we wish him well with his new venture. The first Lady finisher last week was Norma Wall 39.47 who is running well presently with her target race the National Novice looming at St.Augustine’s on Sunday December 16th next a day not to be missed by any sports enthusiasts, When Norma and indeed all local runners participating would be thankful of your support on the day. Its noticeable to see that many of the times are improving already in this years league last week we had fine performances form Darren Healy 40.13 your knocking on the sub 40 Darren keep up the good work, Catriona Mulcahy 45.18 good running from her, also Noel Drohan 42.50,Stradballys G.A.A.star George Walsh 45.43 is keeping himself fit over the winter months by running the league, Donagh Cummins 46.44,Eamon Flavin 47.57,Marie O’Gorman 47.32.Tony O’Mahony is getting himself back into good shape after his epic row around Ireland some time ago he clocked a time of 38.55,The Lannen family are out in force at this years league while father Paddy is running the 2.7 miler, son and daughter Patrick and Linda are keeping the good name to the fore in the 5.7 mile league Patrick clocked a time of 47.07 and Linda 53.01.Keep up the good work. The fastest on the night, No your wrong it wasn’t Mr Zakis it was no other than Junior Rory Moloney with a superb run of 31.54.Rory is one of the hottest properties around on the Junior scene at the moment and has a great future in the sport. Moloney- Rory remember the name. This time was the second fastest time recorded on the course this year.
HANDICAP SYSTEM STARTING TO PLAY ITS PART.
The handicap system put in place by the league organisers to provide all runners no matter what standard the same chance of winning the league, or at least a division within the league is starting to take effect after three nights, A very noticeable feature last week at the All-rounder Sports Winter league was the fact that most runners now in both the 6 mile and the 2.6 mile leagues are finishing within a couple of minutes of each other as the league Handicap system kicks in proper with the runners in both distances coming in to finish in large groups as they congregate over the last 800 meters of each of the two course. This is what makes the league great fun as no matter what your pace or ability the slower and the faster runners are finishing together. We still have plenty of room at the league for anyone interested in coming down to the sports centre any Wednesday evening first runners off at 7.20 PM.
UPCOMING CHARITY FUNDRAISERS.
West Waterford Athletic Club is glad to be associated with a number of charity fundraisers over the Christmas period. We encourage all our members to support these events where possible.
WINTER LEAGUE CHARITY NIGHT.
As per tradition the final night of our winter league prior to Christmas will be dedicated to a worthy cause and this year we are glad to announce that the worthy recipients will be the Abbeyside/Ballinroad/Garranbane Senior Citizens group who do valuable work all year round in the community. Our final league night prior to Christmas will be Wednesday December 19th and all entry monies taken in that night will be donated to the Senior Citizens group. Fell free to give an extra few euro and all donations will be much appreciated. On the night, the presentation will be held in Crotty’s Bar.Abbeyside at 9 30 PM onwards. All are welcome to this special evening on our last night before the Christmas break.
ST.STEPHENS DAY CHARITY RUN/WALK.
In association with Dungarvan G.A.A.club our Annual St.Stephens day walk and run will take place from the G.A.A.club house at 11.30 AM The distance’s are two miles and five miles, so depending on your Christmas, you can choose which distance is suitable for you on the day, This years Benefactors is the Sesame Pre School for children with disabilities and here again is a group of people who are doing very valuable work in the community. Entry fee is at your own discretion. A number of spot prizes will be presented and the traditional soup and sandwiches will be served thanks to Dungarvan G.A.A ladies committee.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP.
The club membership is now coming due and is great value at only €25. Membership money can be paid at registration any Wednesday night at the Winter League or at any club event to registrar Michael Tutty.
SENIOR CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The senior clubs Annual general meeting will be held this Thursday evening at 8.30 PM in Minnie’s Bar.Abbeyside.
RUNNING QUOTE.
Jogging is very beneficial. It’s good for your legs and your feet. It’s also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.P.J.Curran.
NATIONAL NOVICE AND UNEVEN AGES CROSS COUNTRY AT ST.AUGUSTINES COLLEGE SUNDAY DECEMBER 16TH NEXT.
As announced some weeks ago West Waterford Athletic Club is to host this years National Juvenile uneven ages and Men’s and Ladies cross country championships. St Augustine’s College (by kind permission) is the venue on Sunday December 16th next. The Juvenile races will start at 12 noon and many of our young Juveniles have qualified for the event. We are expecting a huge crowd on the day and there will be parking restrictions in place. Conor Norris and his team are heading up the traffic control and I’m sure Conor will have his usual smooth operation in place. The senior club will also field a Men’s and Ladies team in the Novice event, Many of our Senior members have been training with this race in mind over the past few months and we wish them well in both the Men’s and Ladies races, They will as usual give of their best on the day, Our support would be much appreciated also, so we ask all club members to comer along and give your fellow club members your support on home turf as they take on the rest of the country. This event takes a big effort from all to organise and with this in mind we ask anyone who might be available on the day to give a hand to contact any committee member of the Juvenile or Senior club.
DUNPHY VIVAS HEALTH DUNGARVAN 10.
The T’s are all crossed and the eyes dotted now for our upcoming Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10 which is on Sunday February 3rd 2008,It sounds like a long way time away but its only a short nine weeks from this Sunday. Many of our regular members are training away for the event plus we are delighted to see Albert’s Training group out training with all gearing themselves towards the event with their training schedule now in place covering the time from now to race date. Remember you still have time to start this schedule, all the help and encouragement will be provided. The group meet Monday and Friday evening’s with two runs one at 5.30 pm and the other 6.30 pm all are welcome as these training runs are geared towards improvers and beginners. Yes you can do it if you stick to the schedule in place you can run that Dunphy Vivas Health 10 miler in February now that would be some achievement wouldn’t it. Race entry forms are now available at any of the clubs events or you can do it the fancy way with Entry forms available on line at www.westwaterfordathletic.org we appeal to all local participants to get their entry’s in early to race entries officer Denise Regan Ballinamuck Dungarvan. As always we recommend to our members to support all our sponsors when appropriate. Through the generosity of our sponsor Dunphy Vivas Health we have planned a great day in the town for this race. There will be something in the event for all levels as is our clubs policy.
DAVID MC CARTHY COMPETES THIS SUNDAY IN EUROPEAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.
All at West Waterford extends best wishes to club member and Providence College scholarship student David McCarthy who is flying to Spain this coming weekend for the European Cross Country championships. David will be competing in the Junior Men’s race having been pre selected by the Athletics Ireland off the back of some terrific performances this past while for his college. It will be a unique occasion for the McCarthy’s as David’s sister Lorraine is also on the Ladies Junior team. The race is in Toro. Spain and competition will be of the highest standard.
ANTHONY DWYER 40 UNDER THE BELT.
While many of us mortals were on the wet cold plains of Tralee race course last Su day, five of our athletes were in a more humane climate like Memphis U.S.A. taking part in the marathon and half marathon there. Pride of place for the event goes to Anthony Dwyer who not alone was running his third Marathon this year but the occasion had a special importance for the genial Anthony, it was the occasion of his 40th run over the full marathon distance. Having run both the Cork Marathon in the spring and more recently the Dublin Marathon Anthony clocked a superb 2.26 for his effort last Sunday. A prolific Marathon runner no one knows the ins and outs and ups and down of marathon running like he does. Congratulations my man and well done on a milestone achievement.heres to the next ten at least. We also had least we forget four other runners taking part in the half marathon which was held in conjunction with the full marathon distance and here Martin Hayes and Michael Dwyer ran together both finishing in 1.26,Marie Dwyer also completed the half and she will be well pleased with her time of 1.45.and last but not least Pascal Proctor despite a recent injury which curtailed his preparations for the race finished in a good 1.50.Well done to all.
BRENDA PROVES BEST.
Our Colligan Cup speed work run at the Friary last Saturday morning was won by Brenda Hunt who was just eleven seconds slower that the time she predicted. In second place was Onra Power (+ 24 secs) and in third place was Kevin Kenneally (+ 1 min 16 secs) The first three on the wrong side of the clock were Jim Barry (- 20secs) Norma Wall (-21 secs) and Corinna Walsh (-22secs) Thanks to everybody who supported the run.
BALLYCOTTON 10 ENTRIES.
Entrty forms for the Ballycotton 10 are now available at Ger Wyley Sports.Dungarvan Shopping center.
