THE E.S.B.IRISH NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUE FINALS 2007.
WEST WATERFORD ARE IRISH CHAMPIONS.
ABSORBING CONTEST GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE.
Our Senior Men’s team lit up our Track and Field season big time in a flooded Tullamore Harriers Stadium last Saturday when winning the National division one title for the first time since 1995.The final result could not have been closer with our greater number of individual win’s bringing us this much coveted trophy at the end of a long wet and tiring day.
TEAM EFFORT.
As the saying goes there is no “i” in “team” and this was borne out in true fashion last Saturday, Hats off to out thirteen (lucky for some) heroes who fought tooth and nail for each available point which saw us finish on even scores, 110 pts each, with St.Abbans AC Co.Laois.The victory went to our squad as we recorded seven
Individual wins compared to five for the O’Moore Men.
SCORING SYSTEM.
There are a total of 21 events in this league and a team’s best 15 events count on the day. There are eight teams in the final and the winner of each event scores 9 points, 2nd scores 7,3rd 6,and so on down to 8th position 1 pt. We brought 9 points into the final as we lead the table’s after two days of pre finals competition.St.Abbans brought in 6 pts and it was this extra bonus for us plus some nail biting results on the day that swung the issue in our favour. The temptation throughout this league is to bring in guest athletes from other clubs in your county to boost your chances. This is a debatable point as it creates an uneven playing pitch last Sundays runners up did this for the final but our club relied rightly so on our own members as it is the development of athletes within the West Waterford club that is our only priority, In the leagues an athlete can take part in two Track events and one field event or vica verse plus both relays.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS.
We got our days competition off to as bright start with team captain Liam Houlihan winning the Pole Vault with a vault of 3.60 meters and he also finished third in the 110 Meters Hurdles in 17.72.At the same time Donnie Rockett was doing the business in the Hammer event winning by a huge margin with a throw of 46.04 Meters.Padraig Healy scored a very valuable six points with a well paced effort in the 3 k walk. Padraig’s time 15 minutes and 37 secs, which earned him third spot. At the same time Frank O’Brien was throwing the Discus and this was the closest contest of the day. Both Frank and Kieran McConnell Finn Valley Donegal threw 38.54 but Frank secured victory as his next best throw was over a Meter longer than his Donegal Opponent. On such results Irish titles are won and lost. Frank is the only remaining link with the 1995 winning team and he was the captain on that occasion. In true team spirit Mark Shalloe took on the challenge of the 400 Meters Hurdles where he clocked 66.44.Not bad for a 400 lads including many high hurdles in front of you.
MIDDLE DISTANCE WINS.
The club enjoyed four wins in the middle distance events. First up was Dzintars Klava who ran an excellent race from the front in the 1,500 Meters. He fought off a challenge on the back straight in the last lap to come home a clear winner in 4 mins and 10 secs. Dzintars has concentrated more on the Track than the road-racing scene this summer and has been rewarded with a sweet victory in the National final. Well-done Des.Raivis Zakis secured all nine points in the 3.000 Meters Steeplechase. This race had more than one water jump as then race was run in a deluge which made the jumping of the barriers very dangerous, However, Raivis won easily in a time of 10.02.Our 800 Meters man James Ledingham also enjoyed a win in a National final when he ran a super race to clock 1 min 59 secs. James has always made himself available to represent the club be it road, Cross Country or Track which is an example to all club members, This was another vital nine points in our quest for victory. Our banker this year and last year for nine points in the 5k has been Sandis Bralitis and he didn’t disappoint on this occasion either, Ran in terrible conditions Sandis won again in easy fashion and we were now definitely in with a shout for a top three placing. Just back from Injury club member Alan O’Brien finished fourth in the 400 Meters in 52.12.Though not fully right he epitomised the sprit of this team by later lining out in the 4×400 relay. He has proved to be a valuable club member this year.
FIELD EVENTS.
Back to the field events and here we were fortunate to have talented Men to secure valuable points, Stephen Dunne despite injury, threw the Javelin 40.47 Mtrs which gave him third spot, Michael Morrissey produced the goods to finish third in the Shot Putt with a mark of 10.69 Mtrs.Liam Houlihan secured fifth place in the High Jump with a leap of 1.80 Mtrs as did James Ledingham in the Triple Jump with a leap of 11.07 Mtrs while Donnie Rockett moved from fifth to fourth place with his last throw in the 56 lbs weight which gave us an extra point!
RELAYS.
Our 4x400Mtrs relay team of James Ledingham, Alan O’Brien. Dzintars Klava and Mark Shalloe secured five badly needed points when finishing fourth, Our 4×100 Mtrs team of James Ledingham, Sean Stilwell, Liam Houlihan and Mark Shalloe finished 6th.The team sprit of this team is to commended. It ensured we had a relay team on the day, Regarding the relays, Spare a thought for Joe Gough and Brendan Moran, both present on the day but unable to compete due to injury which J.J.Devine and Patrick Palmer competed in the previous rounds of the league. Also in previous rounds, Tony Shalloe (Walk), and Seán Stilwell (Steeplechase) ensuring we were represented.
KNIFE EDGE.
There were numerous occasions when a point or two could have gone either way turning victory into defeat or vica versa. At the end of the day the effort put in by each and every team member was the ultimate difference and this important win for us in Track and Field was fully deserved, secondly the efforts being put in behind the scene’s by the mentors involved in putting the team together, Tony Ryan team manager, Br.Patrick Lennon, Tony Shalloe, Michael Tutty, and many more who helped in various way’s. A huge congratulations to all it was a magnificent achievement, The club can now stand proud among the best clubs in the country, weather it’s on the road, Track and Field or Cross Country. (Of course we have unfinished business in the latter and no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to rectify this matter.) Enjoy the win lads ye deserve the accolades.
FINAL RESULTS.
1.West Waterford 110
2.St.Abbans Laois 110
3.County Galway 104
4.FinnValley Donegal 89
5.City Of Derry 79
6.Ballymena and Antrim 73
7.Tír Chonnaill Donegal 68
8.City of Lisburn 62
RACE 9 GER WYLEY/NIKE SUMMER SERIES
DOOCEY’S ORIEL BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5.
Race number nine in this years Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series, the Doocey’s Oriel Bar Ballymacarbry 5 took place on a damp wet bank holiday Monday last, Despite the weather one of the largest turn out of runners seen in years took part in the race when a field of 156 runners faced the undulating road-wood 5 mile circuit. All proceeds from the race was donated to the Nire Parish council fund, This race like many in the series couldn’t take place with out the goodwill of the local community and the small committee involved in the Ballymacarbry area who stage this event are to be congratulated on their efforts, much of the thanks must go to Paddy Walsh, Tom Wall, Tony McCarthy, Pat Condon, Matty Whelan who stewarded the course and looked after the wood area of the course which needs to be cleaned up for the race each year, They also look after marking out the course which is all work many take for granted, But work which someone has to do. Special mention must go the Ladies of the Parish committee who looked after the refreshments for the runners. I can tell you the Ladies of the Nire can bake a cake.!! Congratulations to all once again for organising a super event and the large turn out of runners and walkers on the night was as much as they deserved for all their efforts. Thanks to all who looked after the entries and results Anslem, Helene, Ann, Shannon, Kate, and of course Megan on computer. Thanks to Emer on timing, and from our Juvenile committee thanks to Helen and Grace for their help at the finish line this was much appreciated, our announcer on the mike Tony, And to Ann who did her usual terrific job looking after the prizes for the race. Our gratitude also to the race sponsors Doocey’s Oriel Bar, Ballymacarbry.and especially Tony Doocey who was on hand to present the prizes to the various winners. Michael Wall spoke on behalf of the parish committee thanking all involved with the race and Megan Hayes and Emer Scanlon presented him with the proceeds from the night’s race for the Nire Parish Fund.
SANDIS SET FOR 10 FROM 10.
The men’s senior race was again a somewhat easy victory for Sandis Bralitis West Waterford AC who recorded his 9th win from 9 starts in the current Ger Wyley/Nike Summer series with a time of 26.55.Sandis to be truthful just did enough to win after his tiring return the previous day from his triumph at the Latvian national’s Track and Field championships in Riga where he won a gold and silver medal. With just the Ardmore race Friday next Sandis looks likely to make it 10 from 10,what an achievement that would be, with no other athlete ever attaining this feat and non likely to do so in the future. Second place went to another household name on the road running circuit Raivis Zakis 26.57 who like his team mate was also in Latvia at the national championships where he claimed two bronze medals for his collection. Third in Ballymac was Grange/Fermoy athlete Michael Lyons in a time of 27.34.Our Man of the match for the race has to be Rory Moloney West Waterford who despite a very bad injury some weeks ago while competing in a Steeplechase race ran a superb time of 28.51 and finished 8th overall in the race. Rory took the Junior Men’s prize for his efforts, and certainly proved that he is over his unfortunate injury worry, He can now look forward to a rewarding cross-country season ahead.
SINEAD RECORDS ANOTHER VICTORY.
The ladies race saw another win for West Waterford’s Sineád Crotty who recorded one of the fastest times ever recorded over this course by a Lady. Sineád is of course the inform female athlete at the moment and she is set to take the ladies overall title in the Ger Wyley/Nike Summer Series. Making it a West Waterford Men’s and Ladies double. Second was Waterford’s Mary Burke who posted a time of 33.23,good running from the city athlete and third was another West Waterford Athlete Maria Delaney 33.55.Maria is also an excellent athlete who trains in the beautiful Phoenix Park but has had her injury worries this past year. We hope now that she will have put all those worries behind her for the start of the Cross Country season ahead.
As with our Men’s selection we also must pick a Woman of the match award and for this scribe the run by Brigid Coffey was top drawer, Bridget posted an excellent 37.40 to claim the over 35 section first prize. Very good running from Bridget who is a regular at all the clubs leagues and races. Keep up the steady improvements.
Next and final race in series is An Tobar Ardmore 5 this Friday 17th August next at 7.30 PM.
DOOCEYS ORIEL BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5 RESULTS.
Senior Men.
1st Sandis Bralitis West Waterford AC 26.55
2nd Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 26.57
3rd Michael Lyons Grange/Fermoy AC 27.34
4th Vhlera Turchn Clonmel AC 28.46
5th Paddy Murphy Bandon AC 28.53
1st Over 40 Pat O’Sullivan Carrick AC 27.59
2nd Over 40 Noel Curtin Youghal AC 28.21
1st Over 45 Stanis Byczek Midleton AC 29.21
2nd Over 45 Martin McCarthy West Waterford AC 29.29
1st Over 50 Larry Lacey St.Josephs AC 28.41
2nd Over 50 P.J.Dwyer St.Senans AC 30.17
1st Over 55 Maurice Tobin Grange Fermoy AC 31.46
2nd Over 55 Con Kelleher West Waterford AC 33.56
1st Over 60 William O’Gorman Tipperary 33.56
2nd Over 60 Mick Neville Tullamore Harriers 37.10
1st Junior Rory Moloney West Waterford AC 28.51
1st Local Male Brendan McCarthy 30.03
Wheelchair Gerry Forde Blarney 47.10
Senior Women.
1st Sineád Crotty West Waterford AC 29.50
2nd Mary Burke Waterford AC 33.23
3rd Maria Delaney West Waterford AC 33.55
4th Brenda Lowe Waterford AC 34.02
5th Mary Doolan St.Josephs AC 34.13
1st Over 35 Brigid Coffey West Waterford AC 37.40
2nd Over 35 Miriam O’Gorman Clonmel AC 37.47
1st Over 40 Ann Dunford West Waterford AC 35.37
2nd Over 40 Onra Power West Waterford AC 42.53
1st Over 45 Josie Uí Chuirrin West Waterford AC 39.03
2nd Over 45 Ann Cronin Carrick AC 39.06
1st Over 50 Mary Ryan Jennings Waterford AC 37.51
1st Over 55 Hillary Collins Coolquill AC 41.01
1st Over 60 Kathleen O’Brien East Cork AC 39.57
1st Over 60 Terri Gough West Waterford AC 50.01
1st Junior Elma Nugent West Waterford AC 34.23
1st Local Lady Regina Byrne 36.04
GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.10.
11TH ANNUAL “AN TOBAR” ARDMORE 5 TO ATTRACT BIG TURN OUT THIS FRIDAY EVENING.
As the Curtin draws on yet another summer series of road races we look forward to the 10th and final race in this years Ger Wyley / Nike summer series this coming Friday night when we travel to Ardmore for the “An Tobar” sponsored 5 mile road race. Please note the race gets under way at 7.30 pm. This will be the 11th running of this event and a large turn out is expected for the final summer series race of the year. Ardmore is regarded as a fast 5 miler and this could be your last opportunity this year to attain that p.b. Over this distance, Michael Hennessey and his team in Ardmore have all the ground work done for what we hope will be a fitting end to what has been a most successful summer series. Race entries will be taken at the Ardmore G.A.A.club grounds (by kind permission). The race presentation of prizes will take place in the premises of our sponsor An Tobar and the overall series presentation will follow this, so a great night is assured and not to be missed. We appeal to all who have prizes to collect to honour our sponsors by being present. The Veronica Ryan and The Noel Faherty memorial cups will be awarded to the first Man and Woman in the race.
PRIZE CATAGORIES.
As with many of our race’s we try to do something different to spread around the prizes as much as possible. With this in mind the race in Ardmore will have a different element to the prizes on offer along with awards for the first 3 senior Men and Women, the organisers will award prizes to the first Man and First Women in each of the twelve Zodiac star signs, you must declare your star sign when entering the race which is 7 Euro. This creates some interesting duels between athletes on the night. The presentation of the Ger Wyley/Nike summer series prizes will also be distributed .See you around the Tower.!!
TQS LEAGUE
MICHAEL TUTTY MOTORS ON
The 6th stage of the TQS League at St Augustine’s College last week was held in glorious sunshine. After a very enjoyable four laps of the Friary, last week’s runner up Michael Tutty moved into a higher gear to finish just two seconds outside his predicted time and claim the sixth stage of this very enjoyable league. Twenty-three participants finished faster than their predicted time and a further twenty-six runners finished on the right side of the clock. Ursula Browne finished just one second behind the winner with Paddy Street a further two seconds adrift in third spot.
On the unlucky side of the clock, Michael Deegan was just two seconds too fast but he received a 20 pt consolation on the TQS Champions League Table. Also very close to victory were Patrick O Riordan (-0.05), Liam Budds and Paul Brunnock (-0.06) and Eamonn Phelan and Pat Dunford both on –0.07 secs.
SEE SAW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE
The only certainty about the top of the Champions League Table at the moment is its uncertainty. Last week Pat Morrissey was on top but this week he is relegated to third spot behind the leaders of two weeks ago Onra Power and Brid Veale. The Champions league record is 115 pts and that looks set to be eclipsed shortly. There are currently four participants on the three-digit mark as follows 1. Onra Power (113pts) 2. Brid Veale (107pts). 3.Pat Morrissey (106pts). 4.Brigid Coffey (100pts).
HEROES AND HEROINES
LADIES-The Power sisters Sarah and Anita completed two laps of the Friary last week. Their fitness is improving weekly and they are really enjoying their running at present.
MEN-John Joe Henley’s fitness from regular running stood him in good stead as a member of the winning Moorings team in the recent Abbeyside A.F.C. Pub League Final. John Joe had a great run last week finishing just ten seconds outside his predicted time.
TWO NIGHTS TO GO
There’s just one run left in the TQS League next Tuesday 21st August. Presentation of prizes will take place on Friday August 24th. Thanks once again to Tom and Maura Quilty for sponsoring this year’s league.
THE GREEN MILE LEAGUE
The fourth and final stage of our Green Mile League produced three category records, and a number of personal best times and, the icing on the cake, a dead heat in the sub 8-minute race.
Sub 6 Minute Milers
Juvenile
Daniel Mc Carthy recorded his third league win here with a good time of 5 minutes and 14 seconds. His combined two-mile time reads an impressive 10.27. Des Sheehan beat his P.B. by five seconds when he crossed the line in 5.21 while Joe Conway was just two seconds outside his best time in 5.33. Daniel won overall here.
Adult
Sean Stillwell claimed top spot here when he ran a league P.B. of 5.01. Sean was out the break the 5 minutes and he was very close after a fine effort. His combined time was 10.04. Second place went to Johnny O Connor with a combined time of 10.29. Corrina Walsh ran all four nights and she was under the six minutes on all occasions.
Sub 7 Minute Milers
Juvenile
Despite weather conditions not being suitable for the night’s running, our first league record came courtesy of David Early in the juvenile club category when he brought his mile time down to 5.46, super running for a thirteen year old. For good measure, David won this category with a combined two stage or two-mile time of 11.37. P.B.’s were also recorded by Kate Veale (6.02) and Elma Nugent (6.05).
Adult
League newcomer Paul Brunnock set a new record of 6.07 with a fine run in this category. Overall winner here was Liam Kavanagh who ran 6.23 on the night and he finished with a combined total of 12.51.
Sub 8 Minute Milers
The race of the night was in this section when Emer Scanlon and Inese Melne dead heated at 7.07 apiece. This was a terrific race and it was only right that it ended in a draw. Emer won this category overall with a combined time of 14.18
8 Minute Plus Milers
Carol Whelan finished this category in style when she defeated her own league record of 7.44 by one second. Close on her heels was Onra Power in 7.48. Carol won the overall by eight seconds with a combined two-mile time of 15.27.
RESULTS GREEN MILE LEAGUE DAY 4
Sub 6-minute milers
Juvenile club-1.Daniel Mc Carthy (5.14). 2.Des Sheehan (5.21). 3. Joe Conway (5.33)
Adult club- 1.Sean Stillwell (5.01) 2.Johnny O Connor (5.16). 3.Corrina Walsh (5.57).
Sub 7 minute milers
Juvenile club-1. David Early (5.46). 2.Kate Veale (6.02). 3.Elma Nugent. (6.05).
Adult club-1. Paul Brunnock (6.07). 2.Liam Kavanagh (6.23). 3.Tony Shalloe (6.36). 4 Ann Whelan (6.48). 5. Brid Veale (6.51). 6.Brigid Coffey (6.53).
Sub 8minute milers
Emer Scanlon and Inese Melne (7.07)
8 minute plus milers
1.Carol Whelan (7.43). 2.Onra Power (7.48). 3. Aoife Connors (8.06). 4. Tommy Lenihan (8.16).
Thanks to everyone who took part in this league and to St Augustine’s for the availability of their facilities once again.
West Waterford A.C. Club Championship.
At the beginning of this year’s Summer Series, it was decided to hold a club championship amongst all the West Waterford athletes in the ten races. All athletes, both male and female were put in to their relevant categories, i.e Senior, over 35, over 40, over 45, over 50, over 55 and over 60. After each race you were credited with the points you got on the night. If you were first you got one point and if you were 10th you got ten points. You could only score for the races that you participated in and in order to qualify for the championship each athlete must run a minimum of seven races out of ten. If you were to do more than seven races, then your best seven nights would count.
At the end of the series, the person with the lowest score in each category will be crowned club champion. Another stipulation of the series was that you must have been a club member at the start of the series.
Each athlete’s score has been recorded and the tables drawn up and in some categories we have some likely winners and in others it will be down to the wire. In fact, a person may not even be in the top five in his/her table but the Ardmore race could change all that and move you right up to the top.
The following are the top two in each category at present. This score is the total for all the races you have done. Some may have eight or nine races done and others may have only done six, which is why the final results may differ from the present results.
Men’s
Senior: Sandis Bralitis 9
Raivis Zakis 17
Over 35: Joe Kelly 116
John Flynn 306
Over 40: Martin Hayes 114
Gary McCormack 124
Over 45: Billy McGuire 221
Eamon Phelan 236
Over 50: Colin Lyons 259
Anthony Dwyer 421
Over 55: Paschal Proctor 851
Liamy Sandford 1138
Ladies
Senior: Sinead Crotty 208
Triona Wall 794
Over 35: Michelle Durand 954
Brigid Coffey 1039
Over 40: Ann Dunford 483
Anne Whelan 576
Over 45: Josie Uì Chuirrìn 1046
Margaret Power 1093
Over 50: Ann Moroney 1043
Over 60: Terri Gough 1312
Junior: Elma Nugent` 266
RUNNING QUOTE.
Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.West Waterford Mens Track and Field team.
RAIVIS WINS SHANAGARRY 5K.
Raivis Zakis was quickly back to winning ways on the road racing scene after his trip to Latvia for the national championships, When on Friday evening he won the Shanagarry 5k road race in a time of 15.36 from local man running with East Cork Seán Mc Crath 15.53 and third was Roy Fahy also of East Cork 16.31.West Waterford’s Micahel McCarthy also competed here finishing 31st in 22.20.47 runners finished the course. As we go press we has also just got word that Rivis also won the Deadmans 5 in The Carrick series on Sunday. We will carry a report on this race and series in next weeks note as we also understand there were other West Waterford club members among the prizewinners.
