CLUB TRACK AND FIELD NEWS.
ROUND TWO OF E.S.B. LEAGUES WEST WATERFORD COMPETES IN CORK.
The club are off Sunday next to Cork IT for round two of the E.S.B. leagues with both our Men’s and Ladies teams competing, Both teams have a fighting chance of qualify for the finals as there is very little between many of the clubs with 12 teams go through to Tullamore on Saturday August 11th next, It would be a great achievement if we could have both our Ladies and Men’s teams competing at the finals. Our men’s team are currently in a healthy position leading division 1 after a terrific day in round one at the R.S.C.Waterford.Our Ladies team are currently in joint 11th place but there is very little between table positions in division one here. So with a full turn out on the day we could easily climb into a qualifying position. Transport will leave from the Park Hotel at 10 AM sharp. Please contact Tony on 087-7657805 if you require any further information.
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
BRALITIS TAKES A SILVER AND COSTIN A BRONZE AT WOODIES NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
West Waterford had six athletes taking part over last Weekend at the Woodie’s sponsored National Track and Field championships, which were held in Morton Stadium Santry.Sandis Bralitis got Saturday’s round off to a good start for the club when taking a national silver Steeplechase medal. Ran over 3.000 meters Sandis recorded a splendid time of 9.12.79 behind winner Mark Kirwan Raheny Shamrocks 9.06.84.Raivis Zakis also took part in this race and he was pleased with his 4th finishing position and he Equalled his personal best time for the event when clocking a good 9.34.93.Sandis also took part in the Men’s 5.000 Meters on Sunday and finish 10th in 14.52.Dzintars Klava ran the 1.500 meters on Saturday and was accredited with a good time of 4.03.05, which equals his personal best for the distance.Dzintars also took part in Sundays 5.000 meters finishing 21st in a time of 15.36.Two more athletes were in action on Saturday when Alan O’Brien ran very well in the heat of the 800 meters qualifying for Sunday’s final with his time of 1.56.36.However through injury Alan didn’t make the line up on Sunday afternoon, which was a disappointment of him.
Club mate James Ledingham also took part in the heat of the 800 but was unlucky not to qualify with his time of 1.57.56
Jamie Costin was in action on Sunday in the 10.000 Meters walk and recorded a fast time of 40.28 which was faster than his winning time of 41.23 in this race last year, Stepping down in distance from his usual 50 k event Jamie had to settle for the bronze medal for 2007. Liam Houlihan in the Pole Vault finished a creditable 7th also on Sunday.
Despite the inclemt weather over the week end there wer two Isish records broken when on the opening day Saturday, Eileen O’Keeffe’s K.C.H.smashd the Irish record in the hammer.Her opening throw of 70.68 smashed her own Irish record. But there was more to come. Second time into the circle she again improved that record with a throw of 72.63. Many athletes would be happy with that, but more was to come still.Round three she launched the hammer even further to 72.57, and then had a massive throw of 73.21 in round four.Round five was a ‘modest’ 68.50 before ending the competition with another massive73.05.
Paul Hession, just a week after claiming the 200m record for himself in Sheffield,was back on the track in this his strongest event.The Athenry Man set himself a new national standard with a surperb 20.30.making it a memorable double national record day on the Saturday.
WEST WATERFORD AC ATHLETES EXCEL IN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS.
The Schools Track and Field international was held last Saturday in Newport.Wales and three of the clubs youngesters were on the Irish team representing their schools.Lisa and Thomas Houlihan for St.Augustines and Zoe Scanlon.Ard Scoil Na Déise.The brother and sister combination of Thomas and Lisa Houlihan were both taking part in the Pole Vault and they performed admirably with Thomas clearing a super 4 meters to take 2nd overall.Lisa cleraed 2.75 and finished 5th ,
Zoe Scanlon was taking part in the Discus and coming off the back of her terriffic win the previuos week in the Irish National Championships she was in sparkling form in Newport when throwing the heavier Discus she claimed a new personal best of 32.12 finishing 5th in the competition.Club coaches Mary Ashe and Br Patrick Lennon traveled with the team.Well done to all concerned.
TQS RUNNING LEAGUE
FUN TIME AT ST AUGUSTINES AS ANN GETS IT RIGHT
A total of sixty-four participants enjoyed the weekly “Guess Your Finishing Time” run in the third stage of the TQS League at St Augustine’s College (by kind permission) last Tuesday evening. 24 ran faster than they predicted with 40 others finishing on the right side of the clock.
Despite the soft underfoot conditions (July 17th!) it’s fun all the way, especially in the last field on the last lap when everybody gathers for the final effort to the finishing tunnel. Spot on with her time last week was Ann Wright from Modeligo who finished the course in the exact time that she predicted. Ann is really enjoying her running since she joined the club and her victory on the night was both welcome and deserved. No better woman to get it wright!
Just one second behind Ann was Pat Connaughton. Pat is really enjoying this league system with Onra Power in third spot which has catapulted her up to second place on the TQS Champions League Table. On the other hand just on the other side of the clock were the two Josie’s, Ui Chuirrin (0.01) and Harty (0.03) who narrowly missed out on victory. However its not all bad news for the Josie’s as the points they won on the night has moved them from the twenties into the top ten on the league table.
For those of you who are unsure how this particular league works, it is the person that runs the closest to the time that they predict is the winner and not necessarily the fastest person. The winner each night gets 30 pts for their efforts, the next person 29pts and so on down to 1pt. It may happen that on some nights you may not get any points as you may be outside the top thirty finishers on the ‘slower than predicted’ time on the clock.
The aim of this fun league is to accumulate as many points as possible. For those of you who cross the finishing line before the clock reaches 0.00, you will also receive points. The first person to finish just before the clock reaches 0.00 will get 20 pts. The runner immediately ahead of them gets 19 pts and so on down to 1pt. Everybody, irrespective of ability, is in with an equal chance of becoming the TQS League Champion. Enjoy the fun!
Stage 3 Heroes and Heroines
Men
Has to be Pat Connaughton. Fastest in his age category and just plain fast. An example to all club runners
Ladies
Amanda Mansfield (3 laps) and Carol Elstead (2 laps). Despite the soft underfoot conditions they made light work of their first time tackling these distances and this will encourage them on their way to fitness.
TQS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE
O’Muiriosa On Top
The winning score after eight stages of the TQS league last year was 115 pts. Already after just three stages, Pat Morrissey has gathered 70pts from a possible total of 90. Everybody is watching his moves at the moment agus nil aon cuis iontais e. Pat scored 20pts the first night, 29pts on stage 2 and 21pts last week. A new TQS record points total looks on the horizon.However, two women are closing in fast on Pat despite his fine scoring. Onra Power is just three points behind on 67pts and Brid Veale is just a further point behind on 66pts. Earl Navin makes up the top four with a score of 60pts. Last years winner Eamonn Flavin is currently on 40pts. So, don’t panic, this years winner may not yet be in top ten, which is as follows:
1.Pat Morrissey (70pts). 2.Onra Power (67pts). 3.Brid Veale(66pts).4. Earl Navin(60pts). 5.Pearse Moloney(53pts). 6.Hugh O Connor(49pts). 7.Niamh Budds(48pts). 8.Brigid Coffey and Josie Ui Chuirrin(47pts). 9.Josie Harty and Pat Connaughton (46pts)
BEST TWO NIGHTS TO COUNT IN 1 MILE LEAUE
The club’s Juvenile/Adult four-week 1mile league got underway at St. Augustine’s College (by kind permission) last Thursday evening. An entry of 23 participants were divided into three categories as follows: Juvenile and Adult sub 6 minute milers, Juvenile and Adult sub 7 minute milers and Adult 8 minute plus milers. The league system is as follows. Each participant two best combined mile times out of the four nights will determine the finishing positions in each category. After night one everybody now has a time to improve on over the next three weeks. The league is open to newcomers throughout and the remaining three dates are Friday July 27th, Thursday August 2nd and Thursday August 9th. There is still time to get involved in this league, which will improve your speed for the remaining races in the Summer
Series.
Sub 6 Minute Milers
Mark Shalloe led the way home here for the Juvenile club with a very impressive 4.52 on grass. Johnny O Connor was the first adult to finish with a 5.13 mile.
Sub 7 Minute Milers
The first juvenile club finisher was young David Early with a 6.05 mile, great running from David. Jason Dee was the first adult home in the time of 6.12
8 Minute Plus Milers
Adult club member Ann Wright recorded her second win of the week with an 8.08 mile, just 1 second ahead of Carol Whelan and a quick look at the all the times indicate that this category will take some winning.
RESULTS ONE MILE LEAGUE DAY 1
Sub 6-minute milers
Juvenile club: 1.Mark Shalloe (4.52). 2.Brian Hallissey (5.52). 3.Des Sheehan (5.52). 4.Joe Conway(5.53).
Adult club: 1.Johnny O Connor(5.13). 2.Martin Mullarkey (5.53). 3.Corrina Walsh (5.57).
Sub 7-minute milers
Juvenile club:1.David Early (6.05). 2.Elma Nugent (6.13). 3.Kate Veale (6.14)
Adult club:1.Jason Dee (6.12). 2.Alan Browne (6.29). 3.Michael Callaghan (6.43). 4.Josie Ui Chuirrin (6.50). 5.Brid Veale (6.52). 6.Brigid Coffey.(6.54).
8 Minute Plus Milers
Adult club:1.Ann Wright (8.08). 2.Carol Whelan (8.09). 3.Onra Power (8.11). 4.Marion Keane (8.17). 5.Tommy Lenihan (8.37). 6.Alice Shanley(9.06). 7.Mary O Riordan (10.31).
RAIVIS WINS INAUGURAL JOANNE O’DONOGHUE MEMORIAL TROPHY AT AUTOPOWER RATHGORMACK 5
Last Friday the Inaugural Autopower sponsored Rathgormack 5 mile road race took place. The race was the second in the Outfield Sports/Asics Summer series organised by Carrick On Suir Road Runners .A good field of 139 runners hit the roads around Rathgormack with 50 walkers also taking on the challenging 5-mile course. All it has to be said done for the very worthy charity The Irish Cancer society who was the beneficiaries from the participant’s involvement. Indeed the tidy sum of 4.000 Euro was raised from the night’s proceedings and all those involved must be congratulated on such a well organised event and on the outstanding sum raised.
The winner on the night was Raivis Zakis West Waterford who lead from gun to tape. Raivis who also won the first race in the series in Ballyneale had a somewhat easy victory going away from the field at the 1-mile mark he cruised to the finish line in a time of 27.17 on the undulating course. The winner received what can only be described as the magnificent Joanne O’Donoghue memorial trophy. Donated to the race by Brunnock family together with Paul, Seán and Darragh O’Donoghue, This specially commissioned trophy was designed and hand crafted by local craftsman Eddie Fogarty. This unique perpetual trophy is made entirely of yew and bog oak. And commerates the life of Joanne O’Donoghue (nee Brunnock) daughter of John and Maura Brunnock, a native of Rathgormack, Joanne lost her battle with cancer in December 2001 and this trophy will serve as a fitting tribute to her life. Her husband Paul and two boys Seán and Darragh were on hand on the night to present the trophy to the winner.
West Waterford took the Men’s team award with some fine running from Liam Budds, Pat O’Riordan and Garry McCormack. We also had some individual winners when Anne Whelan had a fine win in the Ladies over 40 and Martin Hayes was in the winner’s enclosure when taking 2nd over 40.
Next race in series The Carraig Hotel Deadman’s 5 (12th August).
WEST WATERFORD FINISHERS.
1ST Raivis Zakis 27.17
10th Liam Budds 29.46
11th Martin Hayes 29.48
13th Patrick O’Riordan 29.54
14th Garry McCormack 29.55
15th Brian Byrne 29.57
18th Joe Gough 30.32
27th Eamon Phelan 31.56
30th Tom O’Brien 32.18
31st Pat Dunford 32.34
32nd Gerry Cantwell 32.35
37th Paul Mooney 33.06
39th Paul Brunnock 33.09
45th Kenneth O’Donnell 33.45
48th Brett Lynam 33.55
52nd David Connors 34.57
57th Ger Wyley 34.53
60th Jim Duhig 35.14
62nd Anne Whelan 35.36
68th Trevor Walsh 36.06
70th Michael Moloney 36.10
88th Michael Regan 38.54
89th Billy Coleman 38.55
97th Tom Scanlon 39.32
99th Kieran Eaton 40.11
104th Paul O’Gorman 41.13
111th Ray Murray 42.56
112th Marie O’Gorman 42.57
114th Andrea Gaffney 43.14
115th Ann Moroney 43.35
125th Hugh O’Connor 44.25
138th Terri Gough 49.54
RUNNING QUOTE.
Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running." Albert McGrath.
SUNDAY MORNING LONG RUN.
All club runners who take part in the Sunday morning long run from The Crystal centre are asked to note as and from last Sunday the group now meet at St.Augustines College at 9.30pm.This change of venue is due to the large turn out recently which has brought its own problems with traffic and parking in The Kilrush Estate. All are asked to cooperate with this matter.P.S. To accommodate those travelling Sunday to Croker those interested can come along for the long run on Saturday morning at 9.30 am from the Friary. Those not travelling to the match will do their usual Sunday 9.30 run also from the Friary.
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 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
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the Dwyer family on the death of Margaret Matthews, Dublin. May she rest in peace.
