GER WYLEY SPORTS / NIKE SUMMER SERIES.
SANDIS AND SINEAD THE BEST BY SOME DISTANCE.
Our 10-race programme which made up this year’s summer series the clubs premier series event starting with the Marine Climb last April, came to a fitting end last Friday week with the An Tobar Ardmore 5. The overall series was as usual sponsored very kindly by Ger Wyley Sports and Nike and hosted by West Waterford athletic club, The series this year again saw a significant increase in the numbers taking part over the ten race programme keeping the event up there as one of the premier road racing series in the country and the incidentally the only one with a ten race program. It is a credit to all concerned from the club and our overall sponsor’s plus of course our individual race sponsors. Thanks to all involved under the guidance of road racing co-ordinator Gerry Cantwell.Those who looked after entries, results, timing, marking out the various courses putting out the race signs for each race, on lead van and P.A. etc, all the steward’s for stewarding the various race courses without them we would have no series, Thanks once again to the Garda for their help and cooperation at all ten races, and of course the man who had the difficult task after each race of sorting the tables and divisions Dermot Dwyer, without the help of all of the above the series would not have been the success that it was.
OUR SPONSORS.
The success of any event organised by a voluntary organisation depends mainly on the sponsorship attained, West Waterford A.C. has been more than fortunate to have the best sponsors any organisation could wish for and non more so than our sponsors of the summer series Ger Wyley Sports and Nike. The club are indebted to both our sponsors of this series for the huge contribution to the success of the series, our thanks also to Ger Wyley for his attendance at the final race in Ardmore to present all the various category winners with their prizes. At the presentation Ger spoke of the great friendships made over the years at the various races and of course the various down the field battles which take place at each event. He congratulated all the participants and congratulated all the winners. Of course we mustn’t forget also that we have superb sponsors of each of the ten individual races and with out them the series couldn’t take place either, to anyone who sponsored any kind of prize during the course of the series much thanks.
TEN FROM TEN AS SANDIS BRALITIS RATAINS MÍCEAL O’HOGAIN CUP.
The recipient of the Míceal O’Hogain cup for the 2007 series was West Waterford’s Sandis Bralitis.Sandis was retaining the cup he won in 2006 when on that occasion he ran eight of the ten race series programme and he attained a 100% record when he won all eight races, Well this year he even went two better when he recorded ten wins from ten starts an achievement never before reached and unlikely to be achieved by anyone else in the near future. A very important player on the recent club’s Track and Field team national success Sandis has been a revelation for our club since joining us two years ago and we are delighted to have such a talented athlete among our large membership. Retaining this prestigious title for another year is richly deserved and he will be an odds on favourite even at this early stage to hold on to his title in 2008.For the third year in a row host club West Waterford have provided the overall Men’s winner of the series as in 2005 Raivis Zakis took the honours, having to settle for third in the series last year Raivis has gone one better this year as he finished a very good second to his Latvian team mate Sandis.
Sandis finished with a total of just 6 points, bearing in mind that it’s your best six races to count from ten starts. In second place was Raivis with 12 points and third went to two times winner previous of the series and the only athlete not running with West Waterford to finish in the premier division Peter Duggan St.Joseph’s Kilkenny with 23 points. Fourth was another West Waterford Man Seán Stilwell who had some terrific runs this year in the series, Sean finished with 23 points also, Trevor Mason kept the auld flag flying for Cappoquin when finishing 5th overall with 63 points, and Joe Kelly was in the top ten when taking 6th overall with 72 points. Points. The final four placing’s in the premier division were seventh was Martin Hayes 93 points Liam Budds 93 points was eight, Patrick O’Riordan with 119 points ninth and Garry McCormack with a tally of 140 points filled the final top ten opposition.
West Waterford AC filled nine of the top 10 placings in the premier division this year.
DIVISIONAL HONOURS.
Their were five separate over 40 divisions and three under 40 divisions in the Men’s categories outside of the premier division, Here West Waterford figured greatly among the winners taking seven of the eight titles on offer. In the men’s under 40 it was a clean sweep by the host club taking all divisional titles on offer. Division one the winner was young Alan Lyons who finished with 225 points with Martin Mullarkey a good second with 298 points closely followed by John Flynn with 306 points in third. In division 2 for Men under 40 we go to one of our city members Liam Cuddihy who won easily with a tally of 398 points, second was Pat Morrissey 551 points and third went to Seán Dwyer who finished on 565 points. The final under 40 divisions was won by the living legend Albert McGrath who took the top slot with 903 points from Liam Crowe who was second with 1088 points well done to both.
In the Men’s over 40 section it was almost a clean sweep for West Waterford AC again bar one division. In division 1 Billy Maguire was the winner on 125 points from club mate Michael Dunford who finished with 134 points while St.Josephs athlete Jack Duggan took third spot with 137 points. The division two winner was Pat Coffey Clonmel AC and Pat has the distinction of being the only divisional winner not from West Waterford in this year’s entire series, so well done to Pat. He won with 223 points with Seán Flynn Waterford second with 270 points and Andy Dollard St.Senans AC was third on 278 points. The third division winner was Liam Kavanagh again from host club West Waterford with 403 points. Liam has the distinction of being the only person to take a divisional win tow years in a row as he also won this division last year. (You can’t bate local knowledge.) second here was Con Kelleher who finished with 407 points and third went to Jim Duhig on 450 points. Division 4 saw Ray Moore came out on top of what was a very close division for most of the series Ray finished up with 678 points winning from Michael Wade 696 points and third here was Clonmel’s Tom Halley 714 points. The final division but by no means the least was won by Liam Sandford with 880 points from Clonmel’s Michael Brannigan 976 points. A total of 74 Men completed 6 or more races to each claim a 25 Euro Ger Wyley/Nike voucher. Well done to all.
SINEAD CROTTY QUEEN OF THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS.
Their were seven separate ladies divisions in the series this year and West Waterford’s Sineád Crotty took overall honours, indeed it’s fair to say that she was the Ladies sensation of this years series and won six of the ten race programme over the summer months. Many of the series events are held around the highways and byways of Dungarvan and County Waterford and no matter what type of terrain came the Abbeyside woman’s way she took them all in her stride. We must not forget also that Sineád took the series win from the grasp of a great champion Kilmore’s Jackie Carty who had won this title the last Four years in succession, Jackie was and is a great champion and was the first to congratulate the young pretender Sineád Crotty on her super achievements on the road racing circuit this past summer. Jackie was to finish up 3rd overall this year with 17 points. Two positions in the Ladies premier table was filled by two Waterford city athletes who are both very much improved and improving runners on the road racing circuit this past year both are now regulars at all our races up the West. In 3rd place was Mary Burke with 19 points and in 4th place went to Brenda Lowe with 26 points. Another young lady making a big impact on the running scene this year is West Waterford’s Marie Delaney. Marie was rewarded for her efforts when finishing 5th overall in the Ladies premier division recording 36 points. Well done to her.
LADIES DIVISIONAL TITLES.
In the other Ladies divisions West Waterford’s provide four separate divisional winner and Waterford AC two. In division 1 Ann Fitzgerald did the business for the City Ladies when she finished on 52 points just two clear of Ann Dunford 54 with Anne Whelan third with 64 points. Like wise in Division 2 it was Waterford’s Suzanne Rath with a tally of 84 points filling the top slot from Josie Ui Chuirrin 91 points and Brigid Coffey third on 104 points. The youngest divisional winner was Stacey Lyons West Waterford who took the division 3 title with 123 points from Angeline Drennan `141, Carrick’s Ger Houlihan finished 3rd here with 146 points. In division 4 it was another West Waterford 1-2-3- with the winner Judy Hanrahan finishing on 154 points from club mate Margaret Power 165 and third was Martina Ryan 173.Michele Durand recorded a famous victory in division 5 with a tally of 199 points from Tracy Dwyer second 210 and Gemma Dewberry Waterford third 213.Our final Ladies divisional winner was Andrea Gaffney who claimed division 6 in a close contest. Andréa finished on 238 points from Clare Walsh 244 points and Ann Moroney was third 261 points. A total of 36 Ladies completed 6 or more races to claim the Ger Wyley/Nike 25 Euro voucher. Well done to all.
NEXT BIG LOCAL EVENT.
ELITE PAINTBALL ONE LAP LEAGUE
The next big local event on the local athletics calendar is the popular one lap challenge for beginners, improvers and regulars. This league starts on Tuesday September 11th.at St.Augustines College.Duckspool. (By kind permission). We are also delighted to announce this week that we now have a new sponsor for this league in the guise of Elite Paintball. The League will know be known as the Elite Paintball 1 lap challenge. On behalf of the club we sincerely thank Marie and Jeff Allan of Elite Paintball for their kind sponsorship of this league, which will continue each Tuesday evening for six weeks. Starting time each week will be 7 pm.
Now that you have established yourself into a routine running wise, the upcoming leagues are the perfect way to maintain this routine and increase your stamina and fitness into the bargain Precisely what the name suggests, it is a running league whereby all participants run a lap of the Friary. You do not have to be able to run the full lap, you are most welcome to come along and walk and to try running a little bit each week and before the league concludes we guarantee that you will be running the lap without stopping. Entry fee is just €2 each night. As well as the one lap challenge on Tuesday nights we also have the ever popular Autumn League on Thursday nights beginning at 6.30 p.m. This league begins on Thursday, September 13th and will consist of one, two, three or four laps of the Friary. If you are a newcomer beginning the one lap challenge on the Tuesday nights, the Autumn League on Thursday nights will be perfect to help you get some extra practice in to achieve that goal of running one lap without stopping.
So don’t hang up the runners just yet, there is plenty going on to get you fit and healthy throughout the autumn. The entry fee is also €2 per night.
JAMIE COSTIN TO COMPETE AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OSAKA.
All at his club West Waterford AC extend best wishes to Jamie Costin who competes in Osaka Japan in the World Track and Field championships. The championships will got under way last Friday August 24th and continue until this Sunday September 2nd. Jamie will contest his favourite 50k distance and the race gets under way on Saturday next September 1st and has an early 7am starting time, which is ideal for such an energy-sapping event such as the 50k walk. Jamie qualified for the championships and indeed next year Olympic games in Beijing by way of his terrific performance on 20th May last in Lemington Spa England when he was well inside the 4 hour qualifying mark with his time on the day clocked at 3.53.30.It is somewhat of a heroic tale that Jamie is walking never mind his determination of getting back to the sports of race walking after his horrific car accident which shattered his Olympic dream in Athens three years ago days before he was due to compete. However that’s all behind the Ring man now and he has trained like never before for these upcoming championships and is in the shape of his life. All at his club wish him the very best on Saturday next.
CORK TO COBH ENTRIES.
Our annual pilgrimage Lee side for the Annual Cork to Cobh 15 miler is drawing ever so nearer and of course when we start to talk about this race we know that Autumn marathon time is also looming as traditionally all those doing an Autumn marathon always participate in this race. Sunday 30th September is this years date for the B.H.A.A.organised event with Goodie bags and T-Shirt to all finishers. The race gets under way at 9.30 am Entries forms are now available from Ger Wyley Sports so don’t let it until the last minute; get your entry in early. Entry fee is 15 euro and 20 if you wait till race day.
MUNSTER HALF MARATHION CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The St.Finbarrs AC organised Cork Half Marathon will be held again this year in Barney and will as it has in previous years host the Munster Half Marathon championships as part of the race on the day. Club road racing co-ordinator Gerry Cantwell is currently putting his teams together for the championship and if you’re running please let Gerry know. Race day is Sunday September 9th at 11 AM and Mizuno are the main sponsor for the event. The club will be submitting entries for the championship side of the race but its up to each individual to enter the race proper him or herself, Entry forms can be collected at Ger Wyley Sports or on line at St Finbarrs AC web site.
11TH ANNUAL MUNSTER EXPRESS/WLR FM FUN RUN TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH.
The Munster Express/WLR fm 10 kilometres Fun Run, an event that attracted 1,000 entrants last year, will be held in Waterford city on Sunday, September 09th. The course which runners and walkers have become familiar with in recent years has been retained for this year’s run, starting and finishing at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre. The wheelchair competition will get underway at 11.50 am while runners and walkers will be up and running/walking once the starter’s gun fires at noon. The entry fee for this year’s Fun Run is €10. Entry forms will be published weekly in the Munster Express and will also be available at its offices on the Quay. Forms can also be picked up at WLR fm from both the Broadcast Centre in Ardkeen and its Dungarvan studios. Each Fun Run pack will include a race number, safety pins to affix the number onto your running vest as well as a copy of our rules. The forms will also be available online on www.munster-express.ie and www.wlrfm.com. Local charities will benefit from monies raised through entries as well as the individual tallies raised by runners and walkers supporting charities and good causes of their own choice. Entry closing date is August 31st and don’t forget if your not pre entered you can’t run.
RUNNING QUOTE.
Things, which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things, which matter least. Michael Wade.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR UPDATE.
With the table below showing the top 20 contenders for this years athlete of the year club competition last years winner is odds on favourite to retain his crown, his closest contender is Seán Stilwell who is 7 points behind with 44.This table of course shows the points up to the end of July and have the month of August to be added, which it must be said was a very bust month of Raivis. Currently in third place is Liam Budds who has also put in a huge effort this past 7 months Liam is still well in the frame just one point behind Seán with 43 points. The leading Lady’s include former winner of the award Ann Dunford who has 42 points along with Triona Wall who also has 42 points. So the question is who can catch Raivis at this stage of the competition or more to the point can he break the magic 100 points mark. Me thinks his up for it. The competition rules are simple, one point every time you represent the club in an event. And a bonus point will be awarded if it is in championship competition.
January February March April May June July Total
Zakis, Raivis 7 7 4 7 10 7 9 51
Stilwell, Sean 5 7 6 5 10 6 5 44
Budds, Liam 6 6 4 4 8 7 8 43
Dunford, Ann 9 5 2 4 8 7 7 42
Wall, Triona 7 5 6 4 6 5 9 42
Kelly, Richard 7 4 4 4 9 6 6 40
Morrissey, Pat 6 5 4 5 7 7 6 40
Tutty Michael 9 3 6 4 7 3 8 40
Crotty Sinead 7 7 4 3 8 7 3 39
Uì Chuirrìn, Josie 6 4 3 4 8 6 8 39
Wall, Norma 7 6 6 4 5 6 4 38
Hanrahan, Judy 6 8 4 3 5 5 6 37
Whelan, Anne 7 4 5 3 7 4 6 36
Colman Tomas 6 5 4 3 7 6 5 36
Ryan, Martina 5 5 4 5 6 6 4 35
Deegan, Michael 9 6 4 5 3 3 5 35
Bralitis, Sandis 1 3 2 5 5 8 10 34
Power, Paddy 8 4 1 2 5 7 6 33
Power, Onra 7 3 3 4 4 3 9 33
Dunford, Pat 5 1 0 2 8 8 9 33
COMMITTEE MEETING.
All committee members please note our monthly meeting is on Thursday night September 6th at 8.30 pm in Minnie’s Bar.Abbeyside.
