MC GRATH NEWSAGENTS BRICKEY 5.
RAIVIS ZAKIS WINS MARTIN CURRAN MEMORIAL CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME.
The 14th Annual McGrath’s Newsagents Brickey 5 mile and 3-mile event were held last Sunday in excellent conditions. Unlike last year when we experienced heavy rain and wind last Sunday was like a spring day and was ideal for the occasion, The race was got under way at 11 AM by race time keeper’s Noel O’Doherty for the 5 miler and Liam Crowe for the 3 mile run, both race’s starting together. Conor Norris had his usual handle on traffic control so the road was clear as the runners made their way from Bush Park towards Clashmore .A notable absentee from the field was three times winner of the 5 mile event Sandis Bralitis and this left the door open for Raivis Zakis to be installed as hot favourite to take his first title in the Valley. The Abbeyside man didn’t disappoint and indeed went on to claim his first win over the famous Brickey Valley race route. Raivis had been runner up in this event many times so it was rewarding to see him finally take the Martin Curran memorial cup and added to his win on Sunday was the fact that he ran a faster time than his time of last year when clocking a very good 27.12.Raivis recently had a superb run in the Amsterdam Marathon when finishing with a time of 2.30 and after this display last Sunday he seems to be back to full fitness already with the National Novice Cross country championships on December 16th in St.Augustines College now high in his agenda,Raivis finished 2 minutes ahead of the field last Sunday and lead from gun to tape to take a deserving victory. In second place was Declan Mc Grath West Waterford AC 29.11 another who is coming back from Marathon duty Declan ran his first Marathon recently in Dublin recording an excellent time of 2.53,This young Man’s name will be regularly featured in these notes over the coming months have no doubt. Our third finisher was St.Josephs athlete Larry Lacey 29.31 the top three runners were the only athletes in the field to break the 30-minute barrier on the day. Between the 5 miler and the 3-mile run, a total of 122 took part and this the sponsor and organiser were very pleased with as this was a good increase on last year’s number. The race organising committee on behalf of our sponsor McGrath’s Newsagents Mitchell St.were delighted to be able to hand over a substantial cheque to this year’s race funds recipients the Dungarvan Hockey Club, and their Chairman Sarah Power along with many of the members of the Hockey club were present at the prize giving in Bridie Dee’s Bar, Mary St.The presentation of the cheque was made by Albert McGrath race sponsor. Sarah on behalf of the Hockey Club thanked everyone for their participation and for the monies collected, which will be put to good use in the club. From a West Waterford point of view we thank the Hockey club for their participation in the race and high profile presence with so many taking part from the club, we hope to be involved with the Hockey club again in the near future. All in all road racing coordinator Gerry Cantwell can be well pleased with another successful club event.
DIANE BEHAN RETAINS THE JIM LYONS MEMORIAL SHIELD FOR THE FOURTH TIME.
West Waterford’s Diane Behan is certainly back to her best and with the Munster masters cross country looming ever so close she will be aiming to have a good run in the event in Kerry on December 2nd next, Diane was in complete control last Sunday at the Brickey 5 and won the race for the fourth time a remarkable achievement by the Portlaw Woman, Indeed she finished 18th overall in the race with a time of 33.09 Diane has now won this race in the years 2002, 2004,2006,and now 2007.From the gun Diane went into a commanding lead and was never troubled as she pilled on the pressure through the Canal section of the course to draw well away and have her name once again inscribed on the beautiful Jim Lyons memorial shield. In second place was West Waterford’s Ann Dunford 35.51,Ann knocker off almost a minute off her time from last year’s race so this is an indication of how well she is running presently also, A recent double Munster silver medal winner on our Ladies team for Novice and Intermediate cross country, Ann too will have her sights set on the Masters in Kerry and will play a huge part in what we hope will be a another successful day for the club over the muck. Maria Delaney gave our club a one two three for the Ladies race when she was third with a time of 37.02 another talented Lady Maria is Dublin based and is showing improving with every outing and we hope she will be an enormous asset to our Ladies squad also in times ahead. The top ten finishers and prizewinners in the Ladies race were all West Waterford athletes and all recorded good times.
18th Diane Behan, 33.09
31st Ann Dunford 35.51
38th Maria Delaney 37.02
43rd Anne Whelan 38.30
49th Brenda Hunt 38.50
51st Brigid Coffey 39.03
55th Bríd Breathnach 39.56
58th Judy Hanrahan 41.38
65th Andrea Gaffney 46.03
67th Catriona O’Brien 47.14
WEIGHT CATAGORIES.
As is our club policy West Waterford AC always try and have as many participants involved in prize categories as possible in all our events and the Brickey race is no exception with the fun idea put in place some years ago called The weight categories which beings many runners into the winners frame. The weight event is solely for the Men’s race for obvious reasons with the Ladies receiving prizes for the top 10 finishers. When registering all the men have to weigh in for the weight categories and the following were the winner’s for this years race: 60 kg Johnny O’Connor (for the 5th time), 70 kg Dennis McCarthy, 80 kg Kieran Phipps, 90 kg Pat Dunford, and 100kg Kieran Russell. A large amount of spots were drawn among all the down the field finishers also at the presentation of prizes in Bridie Dee’s Bar, Mary St..
BRIAN BYRNE AND CORINNA WALSH BREAK COURSE RECORDS.
The 3-mile run saw the best turn out ever for the event with 50 taking part this increase was in no small way due to the huge influx of Dungarvan Hockey club members who came along to take part on the day. Both the Men’s and Ladies races saw two new course records set when Brian Byrne set the Men’s with a time of 16.52 and recent winner of Waterford Senior cross country champion Corinna Walsh set the new Ladies course record with her time of 18.22 Well done to Brian and Corinna Its not ever day some one sets a new course record at a road race never mind two in the same race.2nd home in the Men’s race was Joe Gough with a time of 17.12 and 3rd was Ray Moore 20.51.In the Ladies our second finisher was Triona Wall just back training again after her exploits at the Amsterdam Marathon she recorded a time of 21.42 and Stacey Lyons was 3rd with a time of 22.19,Well done to all who came along to support the 3 mile race especially our friends in Dungarvan Hockey club.
THANKS.
The club wishes to express sincere thanks to Albert and Patricia Mc Grath of McGrath’s Newsagents Mitchell St. who were sponsors of the event last Sunday. Our thanks also to the Brickey G.A.A.club for the use of their facilities at Bushy Park and to the management and staff at Bridie Dee’s Bar Mary St. for their hospitality and for looking after all the food etc for the athletes.
Much thanks to our great team of registers, timekeepers, recorders and stewards out on the course. Especially Denise Regan, Megan Hayes, Tracey Tutty, Liam Crowe, Noel O’Doherty, Tony Ryan, Michael Tutty, Conor Norris, Jamie Mills, John Brunnock and all our stewards. Ann Dunford for looking after the prizes, Our thanks to P.J.Mary, Louise, and Jack Curran who looked after signs and water station and Jack who came along to present the Martin Curran Cup to race winner Raivis Zakis.Thanks to the members of the Lyons family who presented the Jim Lyons memorial shield to the first lady finisher Diane Behan.
ALL ROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE.
WHO PUT THE LIGHTS OUT.
As a popular song once went “who let “or was it put” the dogs out”, Anyway at last Wednesday nights All rounder Sports winter league at Dungarvan sports center it was more a case of “who put the lights out”, As unfortunately the league organisers had to make a late call to cancel the nights league because many of the street lights on both the 2.6 and the 5.6 mile courses were without lighting. Full electric power wasn’t restored after the big town black out the previous night and it was unsafe to have people running in such conditions, so it was a wise decision to call off the league. On the less its back full steam ahead tonight as we resume with round three, first runners off at 7.20 and if it’s your first night we ask you to come along a littler earlier so as to collect your number and resister for the league.
SUNDAY MORNING.
The Sunday morning run which is open to all is presently covering about the 10-mile mark, leaving St.Augustines College at 9.30 AM each Sunday morning. All are welcome. “Handyish” pace. Well that is if Paddy keep’s his mystery tours to himself.
ALBERT’S GANG BEGINNERS AND REGULARS TRAINING.
Albert’s gang are now back in training after their recent exploits in Amsterdam. As well as the winter league run on Wednesday nights the group are meeting on Monday and Friday nights at Dungarvan Crystal sports centre, There are two runs organised one starts at 5.30 and the second group run is off at 6.30, these runs are organised with beginners in mind but of course all are welcome, and all will be catered for with a pace and distance to suit.
BE SAFE BE SEEN
I know I keep harping on about it but from what I can see many don’t seem to be getting the message. So once again we remind all whom are walking or running at night the importance of wearing reflective bibs and if possible to wear some form of reflective clothing. We cannot stress it enough the importance of wearing a running bib remember, you can see that car but can that car driver see you?
Please, please when going out on the streets of the town for a run put on your reflective top; West Waterford A.C. says, "It’s cool to wear a bib". Follow the trend.
RUNNING QUOTE.
The important thing is the attitude of the athlete, the desire to get to the top. Dermot Ryan.
JUVENILES IN PARIS.
Congratulations to all concerned with last weekends Juvenile trip to Paris, we understand all ran well in a very competitive event and did themselves and their club proud, and of course most important a great weekend was had by all. May it be the first of many trips for our young Juvenile’s .
BABY BOY.
Congratulations form all at the club to member Des and Sarah Feeney on the birth of a baby boy. Health and happiness to all.
MASTER’S TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR MUNSTER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Club cross-country coordinator Tony Ryan has announced the team for the upcoming Masters Munster cross-country championships in Kerry on Sunday November 2nd next and they are as follows.
Ladies.
Diane Behan, Ann Dunford, Anne Whelan, Brigid Coffey, Brid Veale, Judy Hanrahan, Ann Moroney, Terri Gough, Helene Hayes, Margaret Power, Eibhlis Ní hAodha, Josie Uí Chuirrin and Jacinta Sheil.
Men’s.
Joe Kelly, Jim Fleming, Johnny O’Connor, Brendan Whelan, Conor Murray, Vincent Tutty, Pat Dunford, Con Kelleher, Paddy Power, Joe Gough, Colin Lyons, Ron Fawkes and Michael Deegan
