TRACK AND FIELD NEWS.
NATIONAL E.S.B.TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUE ROUND TWO.
FINE PERFORMANCE FROM WEST WATERFORD MENS TEAM.
The second round of the National Track and Field E.S.B. sponsored league’s took place last Sunday at Cork IT. Going into round two our Men’s team were in a very healthy 1st position but a big day was need to consolidate this position last Sunday and that’s exactly what our team produced with some fine top drawer performances resulting in the team qualifying for the National finals in Tullamore on Saturday August 19th next. As we go to press we don’t have official confirmation of this as we await the full result but we are odds on to be in Tullamore.The points totals from Cork were as follows West Waterford 115; Riocht 110; Galway 110; St. Abban’s 108.Of course we don’t have the full results from pool 2 either which were held in Santry on the same day. However we recorded some good wins and inded some doubles were also recorded with Sandis Bralitis clocking up one of these with a win in the 5.000 meters in a time of 15.18 and he also was first in the Steeplechase in a fine 9.47,James Ledingham was also in terriffic form treating himself to a double in the 400 in 53 seconds and the 800 meters 2 minutes even.James also toook valuable points in the Triple Jump when finishing third with a jump of 10.96.Dzintars Klava put in a battling performance to win the 1.500 meters in a solid time of 4 minutes and 10 seconds.Donnie Rockett was first in the Hammer with a throw of 47.32 which was well clear of the oppossition on the day,Donnie also took a good second in the 56lb weight with a throw of 5.05.Frank O’Brien is back with a bang and he recorded a second placing behind the All Irealnd champion in the Discus event with a throw of 38.69.Stephen Dunne another making great progress on his return to competition was second in the Javelin with a throw of 40.86.Young Patrick Palmer took his place among the Senior athletes in the Pole Vault and finished up second with a vault of 3.20.He also was third in the 100 Meters.Liam Houlihan had a jump of 1.80 to take a third placing in the High Jump and Liam finished fourth in the 110 meters hurdles and the Long Jump.also recording fourth placings on the day and collecting very valuable team points were Mark Shalloe 400 meters hurdles.Michael Morissey in the shot.and both our 4×100 and 4×400 meters relay teams were both fourth.We had only one Lady competing on the day and thanks to Eadaoin Ashe who recorded a great win in the Ladies Discus with a throw of 28.72.
Thanks especially to Tony Ryan, Michael Tutty,Br Patrick Lennon and Tony Shalloe for all there work with the team in Cork.
NATIONAL MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Masters Track and Field championships are to be held in Tullamore on Saturday on August 18th next, any member wishing to be entered are requested to contact club secretary Tony Ryan a.s.a.p. On 087-7657805.
WEST WATERFORD JUVENILES IN SPARKLING FORM.
Round three of the Woodies National Track and Field championships for the 13-19 age group were held last Saturday and Sunday in Tullamore and the Juveniles of West Waterford were among the medal winners. Zoë Scanlon was once again in winning form when taking the Girls under 15 Javelin title with a throw of 35.80 this adds another gold medal to her collection after her win in the Discus two weeks previous. Zoe also competed in the shot finishing 5th. Emer Scanlon was competing in the Girls less than 14 Discus and here too she was among the medals with a throw of 26.29 to take silver. Joe Conway was in action in the Boys under 16 3.000 meters walk and Joe took a deserving silver with a time of 17.50.The boys under 18 1.500 meters was always going to be a serious battle with a top class field assembled. West Waterford’s Mark Shalloe was not found wanting here and ran a terrific race to finish 6th from the field of 15 runners with a very good time of 4.09.Well done to all concerned.
T.Q.S.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
ONRA POWER AND BRID VEALE ON TOP
Approaching the half way stage of the TQS champions league, the ladies pairing of Onra Power and Brid Veale have shot to the top of the table when they gathered six and seven points respectively in stage four at St Augustine’s last week. The absent Pat Morrissey didn’t suffer too badly and he currently holds third spot, a mere three points behind the leaders. Debutants in the top ten include Martin Veale, Richie Kelly Tomas Coleman and John Foley while Brigid Coffey has moved from ninth spot to fourth place on 61 pts. A number of participants are hovering outside the top ten and a good run on any given night will catapult them into the potential winning enclosure. There are currently over 80 participants featuring on the league table.
GOOD GUESS GERRY.
Last weeks winner was Gerry O Connor, who on his league debut, got it right first time, finishing just two seconds after the clock reached zero. If he can maintain this consistency then Gerry won’t be long putting the cat among the pigeons on the league table proper. Another debutant, Susie Keane was just three seconds behind Gerry in her new runners, which she won, in the recent Minnie’s League while another league debutant Chizhikova Diana claimed third spot behind Susie. There was also a welcome for league debutants Michael Roche, Ray Moore, Johnny Morrissey, Aoife Connors, Chizhikov Yevgeniy, Pat Keane, Andrea O Neill, Catriona Mulcahy, Stacey Lyons, Ian O Grady and Alan Lyons. So as you can see, the league is going from strength to strength with over 100 participants to date and there is room and a big welcome for anyone else who would like to give the running a go. The place to be is St. Augustine’s College on any Tuesday evening at 7p.m. Advice and encouragement awaits.
SEAN TOO FAST.
The closest runner to zero on the clock last week was Sean Stillwell who was just one second too fast. Sean is enjoying his best season to date and he is improving all the time. Also within ten seconds on the wrong side of the clock were Colin and Alan Lyons (-3 sec) and Margaret Power and Catriona Mulcahy (-10 secs). A total of 49 runners were too fast last week and 13 were on the right side of the clock.
STAGE FOUR HEROS AND HEROINES.
MEN-Johnny Morrissey ran around the one lap (2k) for the first time this year and he is on road to becoming fitter each week.
LADIES-Alice Shanley is a regular supporter of our leagues and she enjoys her run in the Friary. Last week she was just eleven seconds off her predicted time and too fast at that.
TIMES IMPROVING IN ONE MILE LEAGUE
The second of the four-stage club one-mile league was held in St Augustine’s College last Friday evening. Many of the participants improved their one-mile times from the previous week while there was also a fair sprinkling of newcomers in attendance.
Sub 6 Minute Milers
In the sub 6-minute category Des Sheehan is top of the juvenile club league courtesy of a 5.31-mile with Brian Hallissey close on his heels after recording a 5.36-mile. The fastest mile was set by Daniel Mc Carthy who clocked an impressive 5.13.
In the adult club section, Johnny O Connor has gone top after his 5.16 mile, just piping Brian Byrne on the night who will be happy with his 5.17 mile. The fastest time was recorded by Sean Stillwell with a 5.03 run.
Sub 7 Minute Milers
David Early had a great run in the Juvenile club sub 7-minute section when he ran 6.02 and he almost broke the magical six. Kate Veale also improved her time to 6.09 which was 45 seconds faster than Mammy in the Adult club section. Brid is top of the adult club league by six seconds from Brigid Coffey and with two stages still to go there is still plenty to run for here. In all sections each participants best two combined times determines their final league placing and irrespective of anybody breaking six minutes everybody will now remain in this category.
Sub 8 Minute Milers
There was a real close finish to the adult club sub 8 minute section with Dixie Deegan (7.28) just piping Vince Donovan (7.29) and Judy Hanrahan (7.30) while Hugh O Connor also ran very well to break the 8 minute mark with a 7.48 clocking.
8 Minute Plus Milers
Both Onra Power and Marion Keane broke the 8 minute plus league record with the identical 8.00-minute even time. This was super running by both girls after a great race. Andrea Gaffney was hot on their heels (8.02) while Tommy Lenihan improved his time by 9 seconds coming down to 8.28. The biggest improver was Alice Shanley who broke the nine-minute mark with an 8.42 run, 24 seconds faster than the previous week.
Onra Power leads the league table here by six seconds from Marion Keane. Irrespective of any runner breaking 8 minutes in this section, everybody remains in this category for the rest of the league so feel free to have another P.B. or two everybody!
RESULTS ONE MILE LEAGUE DAY 2
Sub 6-minute milers
Juvenile club-1. Daniel Mc Carthy (5.13). 2.Des Sheehan (5.31). 3. Brian Hallissey (5.36)
Adult club- 1.Sean Stillwell (5.03). 2.Johnny O Connor (5.16). 3.Brian Byrne (5.17).4.Liam Budds (5.47). 5.Corrina Walsh (5.56).
Sub 7 minute milers
Juvenile club-1. David Early (6.02). 2.Kate Veale (6.09). 3.Elma Nugent. (6.15).
Adult club-1. Tony Shalloe (6.46). 2.Paul Mc Grath (6.49). 3. Brid Veale (6.50). 4.Brigid Coffey (6.54)
Sub 8minute milers
Adult club-1. Michael Deegan (7.28). 2.Vince Donovan (7.29). 3.Judy Hanrahan (7.30). 4.Hugh O Connor (7.48)
8 minute plus milers
Adult club-1. Onra Power (8.00). 2. Marion Keane (8.00). 3.Andrea Gaffney (8.02). 4 Tommy Lenihan (8.28). 5. Alice Shanley (8.42). 6.Niamh Budds (8.54).
Remaining Dates
Thursday August 2nd and August 9th at 7.30 pm. Entry fee €2 each night. Newcomers welcome each night.
GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.9.
11th ANNUAL DOOCEY’S BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5-MILE RACE.
Race number nine in this years series takes place next bank holiday Monday August 6th when we travel to Ballymacarbry for the 11th Annual Doocey’s Bar sponsored 5 mile road race. We are delighted to be back in Ballymacarbry again for this popular race and our team of helpers in Ballymac are well on with their preparations for this year’s event. The race has a 7.30 PM.starting time please all athletes take note of this. All proceeds from this year’s race will be donated to the Nire Parish Council Fund. Also at 7 PM. a sponsored walk will take place. All entries will be taken at Doocey’s Oriel Bar. The prizes for the main event will be presented at Doocey’s Bar after the race where refreshments and entertainment will be provided, the following are the categories for Monday’s race,
MEN. LADIES.
1st 5 Senior 1ST 5 Senior
1st 2 over 40 1st 2 over 35
1st 2 over 45 1st 2 over 40
1st 2 over 50 1st 2 over 50
1st 2 over 55 1st Local Man and Woman.
1st 2 over 60
CHURCHTOWN SOUTH 5.
TWO IN A ROW FOR WEST WATERFORD TEAM- AS TUTTY MAKES HIS MARK.
Race number three in this years Ballycotton summer series the Churchtown South 5 was held last Thursday evening with a record field of 268 athletes taking part. Victory on the night went to Eagle AC athlete Wieslaw Sosnowski in a time of 26.38 from St Finbarrs Cathal O’Connell 26.44.Eagles Ann Marie Holland won the Ladies race in a time of 30.57.West Waterford’s first finisher on the night was Joe Kelly 29.16 and he lead the club to its second team win in the series to date as we also won the team award last month in Shanagarry, Indeed the same team scored last Thursday evening as did the previous month, along with Joe were Liam Budds 20th and Ray Dwyer 35th.Well done to them. Joe Gough finished 2nd over 50 in a splendid 30.29.
Athlete of the night from a West Waterford point of view was the performance of Michael Tutty who despite having his injury troubles in the recent past put in a great performance to break the 38 minute barrier for the first time when clocking a creditable 37.53.Well done our Mike, richly deserved. Do I hear sub 37-Do I hear sub 37. Ray Curran had the run of his Churchtown South life when looking at last year’s results Ray completed the course in 41.47.Well last Thursday one year later Ray completed the run in 38.40.What a difference a year makes.!!
WHEN MEN WERE MEN.
With a total of 268 finishers in last Thursday’s Churchtown South 5.It was the biggest race in the village since the event began way back in 1980. However, the winning time of 26:38 was the slowest in the race history and the total of 28 runners inside 30 minutes the second lowest ever.
Generally regarded as the fastest course of the four-race Ballycotton Series, no runner has now broken 25 minutes here in the past ten years. In 1983, when Liam O’Brien set the current course record of 23:40, the first eight finished inside 25 minutes.
They were: 1 Liam O’Brien (Midleton) 23:40; 2 Tony O’Leary (Leevale) 23:47; 3 Tony Ryan (Dungarvan) 24:01; 4 Marcus O’Sullivan (Leevale) 24:19; 5 Denis Manning (St Finbarrs) 24:29; 6 Ricky Burke (St Finbarrs) 24:37; 7 Paul Moloney (Limerick) 24:46; 8 Mick Walsh (Leevale) 24:48.
Also, Denis McCarthy (then of Youghal, now East Cork) finished 12th in a time of 25:36… last Friday night (24 years later) he finished 13th in 28:23!
Those were the days my Friends.!!
WEST WATERFORD FINISHERS IN CHURCHTOWN 5.
19TH Joe Kelly 29.16
20th Liam Budds 29.21
34th Joe Gough 30.29
35th Ray Dwyer 30.30
48th Eamon Phelan 31.24
73rd Pat Dunford 32.42
120th James Veale 35.23
122nd Jim Duhig 35.33
161st Michael Tutty 37.53
162nd Ann Dunford 37.53
163rd Triona Wall 37.54
173rd John Fennell 38.24
180th Ray Curran 38.40
183rd Michael Hennessey 38.59
187th Michael McCarthy 39.11
228th Ray Moore 42.14
RUNNING QUOTE
If you don’t invest very much, then defeat doesn’t hurt very much and winning is not very exciting. Patrick Riordan.
CLUB WEDDING.
Congratulations to club member Damien Travers and Fiona Crossan on the occasion of their marriage last week. Best wishes for the future with health and happiness to all.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the Moore family Ballinamuck on their recent tragic loss with the death of Pat Moore Jnr.May he rest in peace.
MICHAEL CAHILL 5K CLASSIC.
Coolquill Athletic Club are holding the 11th Annual Michael Cahill 5k classic road race and Walk on Sunday 19th August at 2.30 PM.Held on an out and back very flat course the race starts at Ballingarry, Via Killenaule Co.Tipperary.Entry fee is 8 Euro for the run and 5 Euro for the walk. Spots and Refreshments will be available to all,
PRIZES
MEN LADIES
First 5 Senior First 3 Senior
First 3 O/40 First 2 O/35
First 2 O/45 First O/ 40
First 2 O/50 First 3 juniors
First O/55
First O/60
First 3 juniors
HOW ABOUT A TRIP NORTH SIDE.
GEE’S WATERSIDE HALF MARATHON BACK ON TRACK.
The organisers of the 2007 Gees Waterside Half Marathon have recently unveiled a new approved route for the race. Scheduled for Saturday 8th September the event is organised by Derry City Councils Development Department and once again has the Waterside based Gee’s Supermarket are the major co-sponsor. Celebrating its 26th year the race aims to attract almost 1000 participants – club athletes, fun runners, joggers and walkers – and boasts a generous £5000 plus prize fund covering age categories from under 20 to over 70. The official charity for this year event is Foyle Hospice. The Gee’s Waterside Half Marathon is a key sporting event for the city encouraging both athletic excellence and progressive healthy exercise for all participants. It offers an accessible challenge for everyone, with training during the summer months, and is ideally timed for all those contemplating an autumn marathon.
The event includes a 3-person team relay, with each runner covering around 4 ½ miles, and a 3km fun run inside the grounds of race HQ at Gransha. With walkers also being encouraged to take part this will see participants of all abilities catered for on the day. Entry forms for the Gee’s Waterside Half Marathon are available now. Full details and how to enter are available on the website www.derrycity.govuk/halfmarathon or 02871347695.
