BUGGY TO POST VICTORY FOR KELLY CANTWELL IN 22ND ANNUAL KIELY MONUMENTAL COLLIGAN CUP

Helvick’s Kelly Cantwell was the winner of last Sunday’s 22nd annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup. It was all of 16 years ago that a young Kelly then confined to a buggy as both her and her mother Brid  were present to see husband and father Gerry lift the Colligan cup. That was 1994 and how ironic that all these years later the wee buggy confined youngster would come along last Sunday and make her own bit of history by emanating her father to make them the first dad and daughter combination to have won the famous Colligan Cup. She may have been held back while strapped into the buggy but there was no holding her back last Sunday as she laid down her mark by running a strong and tactical race. As happens each year with the first two laps of the course, everybody is happy with their pace but try as they might to stick to that same pace over the last lap, it proves impossible as it’s natural to want to pass out those in front of you or to try and stay with those that have passed you out but Kelly Cantwell wasn’t fazed one bit by this at all and was content to carry on at her own pace. In fact, over the last 200 metres the group Kelly was running with edged ahead but she stuck to her guns and crossed the line just as the clock reached 0.00. This may have been Kelly’s first year running the Colligan Cup but all the little tips about pacing and tactics she picked up from watching Dad Gerry all of 16 years ago came to the fore and she pulled off a great win to be the overall winner of the Colligan Cup. It’s the third time in the 22 year history of the race that the overall winner was a lady. Previous female winners were Ann Cronin and Kathleen O’ Connell. For her efforts Kelly won the “Colligan Cup” as well as the shield which is presented to the first lady so there was plenty of silverware brought home to the mantelpiece in Helvick last Sunday. Kelly will now join all the previous winners whose names have been inscribed in the plaque in the wood for all to see. Now that Kelly and Gerry are the first “Father and Daughter” combination to win the Colligan Cup it’s time for Bríd to get out the runners and get in training for the Colligan Cup of 2011to make it a treble, a clean sweep for the Cantwell family!! The numbers were well up on last year and the day itself was cold but crisp, ideal for running. Out of the 138 runners in the wood last Sunday, 61 were faster than predicted and 76 were slower. The number of those that are too fast is decreasing each year which is a sign that we are all getting better at predicting so it will be interesting to see by how much more it will change next year. Out of all those that were too fast on the day, their times ranged from being one second too fast to being over 6 minutes too fast. It’s not too often that we are told we are too fast so make the most of it!! Ian Curran was most misfortunate on the day as he was a mere one second too fast, really unlucky but perhaps next year will be your year Ian. Eamon Flavin is always there or thereabouts when it comes to accurate timing in the summer leagues and carried the same trend to last Sunday’s race by finishing in second place, just 5 seconds too fast. Waterford AC athlete Larry Kennedy really pushed on over the last 400 metres but it was just a tad too quick, 6 seconds to be exact. Emer Scanlon and Triona Wall were 7 seconds too fast, so close ladies and yet so far and Sheilanne O’ Donoghue was 8 seconds faster than she predicted. While there was close to seven minutes between all those that were too fast there was considerably less time between all those that were slower than predicted. Kelly crossed the line at exactly 0.00 and so it was Paddy Power who was left asking himself why he didn’t pick up the pace ever so slightly, Paddy’s consolation prize was that he was the first man on the day. Noel Prendergast, brother of club member Phyllis, was the second man and only misjudged his time by 3 seconds. Pearse Moloney almost had his calculations right as he was just 4 seconds out on the day. Congratulations to Michelle Fitzgerald who was the second lady home on the right side of the clock, great pacing indeed Michelle. Connie Kelleher is always someone to watch at runs like this and he lived up to his reputation by being only 5 seconds outside of what he said he would do. Tom Falconer was the fifth man home and was unlucky to be only 6 seconds out. Anne Massey was the third lady, 27 seconds after 0.00 and just two seconds behind was Ann Dunford who claimed the title of 4th lady. Each year at this race a pair of runners is raffled among all those that run in the race and the lucky recipient this year was Mark Scanlon of the Brickeys, Mark has had considerable success in running and so will put them to good use, no doubt. Our sincere thanks to Ger Wyley for sponsoring the runners yet again this year as he has since the race began.

SEAN PATMORE CLINCHES THE MC GRATHS NEWSAGENTS JUVENILE COLLIGAN SHIELD.

A large number of young athletes numbering 63 in total took part in the 2 km run for Juveniles last Sunday in Colligan. The event again year was kindly sponsor by Albert McGraths of Mc Grath Newsagents Mitchell St and we would like to thank Albert for his continued sponsorship of this event for our Juvenile club. The Juvenile race got under way at 1 pm and all the young athletes made their way over the wooden bridge on their one lap loop hoping to take the title for 2010.Ther seems to be something about this race and local winners as the previous two years 2008 it was Aaron Whelan from a couple of hundred yards up the road and last year it was the turn of another local boy when Bobby Landers was the victor, Well yes you guessed it yet another local boy has made claim to the shield for 2010, Sean Patmore from just a mile up the road from the wooden bridge in Ballymacmague took the victory this year. Sean who more or less hid his predicted time absolutely spot on was followed home by the above mentioned Aaron Whelan who could very well have won his second Colligan Juvenile shield when just a second or so out, third was Alex Lai who was just seconds off the mark also ,indeed Alex was 5th in last years race, So he is gradually making his way to the top, with Ballyduff’s Aidan O’Brien 4th and young Emma Hallahan the first Girl nearest the time when she finished 5th.Well done to all the young runners who participated in the event and thanks to the West Waterford Juvenile committee for organising the Juvenile race. Again thanks to Albert McGrath of McGraths Newsagents for his kind sponsorship 

THANKS TO ALL

Our thanks to all those involved in the running of last Sunday’s race. As with all races, we rely on the help and support of so many people. Firstly, no race can go ahead without sponsorship and this race holds the unique tradition of having the same sponsor since the race first began 22 years ago. 22 years is a long time and we are delighted to have on board a loyal and dedicated sponsor such as we have in David Kiely of David Kiely Monumental Works. We are deeply grateful to David for all his help and support down through the years and we would also like to thank him and his wife Margaret for being present on the day once again this year to present the prizes. Thanks to Breeda, Megan and Liam for taking the entries in the wood. The finishing tunnel and start line were all in control under the ever efficient team of Conor and Jamie and Michael and Tony in the van and on the microphone. Special thanks to the lads for making the course safe last Sunday for all the runners after the harsh recent weather, Thanks so much to all the stewards on the day who provided much needed words of encouragement for the runners and who also looked after the safety of the runners. Nicky Sheehan was at his usual spot at the stone bridge and did a great job yet again. There were great prizes awarded at the finishing line courtesy of Ann Dunford. This very race was the brain child of Victor Mullins who over 20 years ago devised the system and it has always proved a most popular and enjoyable event each year. Victor was also present this year along with his wife Marie and daughter Emma.Victor was our chief timing man on the day he had the privilege of picking the winner as he has done now for many years1st mile - 4 mins 33secs, 2 miles - 9 mins 22 secs, 3 miles - 14 mins 23 secs. 1st mile - 4 mins 33secs, 2 miles - 9 mins 22 secs, 3 miles - 14 mins 23 secs., so thanks to Victor for making the effort to join us again this year. Now that the Colligan Cup of 2010 is over we can all look forward to 2011 and give it another go at getting the timing right.

BIGGEST EVER QUANTUM LIFE DUNGARVAN 10 HITS THE STREETS OF OUR TOWN THIS SUNDAY WITH 1.200 ENTERED

 The town of Dungarvan plays host to the biggest road race ever witnessed in the west of the county next Sunday when a field of 1.200 runners put on their racing flats and club singlets to take part in the eagerly awaited 19th Annual Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race. From humble beginnings this race has grown to one of the best 10
 Mile races on the island as will be evident come Sunday when runners will wear their club colours with almost every one of the 32 counties represented. We will also have a sprinkling of English runners and an athlete from Germany is entered also. Along with the financial support from our loyal sponsor Quantum Life and the help also from Dungarvan Town Council plus a very active promotional campaign put in place by the race committee we will see the benefit of all the months of work when from early on Saturday, the day before the race, the athletes from around the country will descend on the town for the weekend with many staying over night. It is expected that Dungarvan and its environs will benefit hugely from the event as the travelling runners and their supporters from all parts of the country and beyond will be making the trip to the south East for what promises to be an occasion of immense importance not alone for West Waterford AC but for our town. As a result of the increasing numbers participating in this race last year and yet another increase this year we have made our new race headquarters at Dungarvan Sports Centre, Quanns. This venue worked out ideal last year with much more parking space and a much bigger hall for the pre-race changing etc. We also have by kind permission the use of the Dungarvan Boxing Club pavilion for changing for the ladies, so we are going to have the sports centre solely for the men’s changing. All stewards are asked to please come along as early as possible to the centre and to contact Tony Ryan, steward coordinator, on your arrival.
 We have a huge local entry again this year but if for whatever reason you are not running you might be available to come along and give a hand on the day. All help will be greatly appreciated. From an organisational point of view all is in readiness and hopefully the weather will now play its part in showing the many visitors our town looking at its very best and of course to also give us a good day for running. The club would like to invite all with an interest in athletics to come along to the start line at the Youghal road or to view the race anywhere on the course (see course map) and cheer on the country’s finest road runners plus of course the record local entry on the day. The race itself is race number two in this year’s Michael Roche Carpets sponsored Spring Series of Road Races which got off to the proverbial flyer with last Sunday’s Colligan Cup event. Next Sunday’s race is also race two in the John Buckley Munster 10 mile Spring classics series.
 
CHIP TIMING
 
 Last year we introduced chip timing to this race and we will continue to use this system this year.  The only slight change is that the chip will be attached to the back of your race number. All race numbers and race day details will have reached you by now in the post. Should your number not arrive, don’t panic, as we will have a help desk located at the race headquarters on race day from 10 am where you will be re-issued with a new number. You may check your name is on the entries list on the club website at www.westwaterfordathletics.org. Just click on 2010 race entries on the left hand side of the home page and locate your name.
 
 
 
 FUND OF 3.000 EURO ON OFFER

 The winner of Sunday’s race will receive The Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 perpetual trophy. The prize fund for the race is a substantial 3.000 Euro covering a wide array of categories. This is possible due to the kind sponsorship of our great sponsor Quantum Life. The course sees a slight chance this year with the start still on the Youghal Road but 30 metres away from last year’s start with the finish as it was last year at the entrance to Microchem Laboratories in the industrial estate just off the N25 bypass. The race will start at the Youghal Road with a short loop around Mitchell St., then down Collins Road, back out the Youghal road through the roundabout past Whelan signs before taking a sharp right, down past GSK and Dungarvan G.A.A. grounds to The Spring roundabout, taking a left out past the old glass factory. From there runners will head out towards Bushy Park and take a left down to the canal Road coming out at Ring cross, back in the Youghal road finishing in the Industrial Estate at the back of Microchem laboratories. With the slight hill up to the Kilrush roundabout and the hilly section after the Fire station now out, the consensus is that the new look first 3 miles or so make the already fast course even better again for fast times.  Indeed at the elite end of the scale there would also of course be the possibility of a new course record. The men’s record is currently held by our own Sandis Bralitis,  (West Waterford AC 50.08) and the ladies by Limerick’s Rosemary Ryan (57.27) from last year. As well as the first male and female runner on Sunday who will each receive 400 euros for their efforts, a bonus of 250 euros is on offer to the first athlete to break either of these course records. As we said a very substantial prize fund is on offer throughout all categories thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. The race will of course cater for all the usual Master’s categories and teams also. All participants will also receive the now famous Dungarvan 10 goody bag and its value alone is worth twice more than your entry fee to the race. Along with a very nice Nike Dry Fit running shirt which will be presented to all entrants, we will have plenty of spot prizes to be raffled among all non-prize-winners also, so all in all both elite and fun runners alike are more that catered for on the day, as has always been the West Waterford Athletic Club policy. So our final word is to enjoy the run if you’re participating and if not come along and lend your support to those who are running and pray for a good day.
 
 Previous overall winners of this race are as follows:
 
 1992 Robert Costello (Limerick)
 
 1993 Noel Richardson (Donore Hrs)
 
 1994 Jimmy Mulligan (Waterford)
 
 1995 James Sullivan (Waterford)
 
 1996 Michael Hassett (Tipperary)
 
 1997 Cormac Finnerty (Mullingar Hrs)
 
 1998 Peter Duggan St Joseph’s (Kilkenny)
 
 1999 John Kearney (East Cork)
 
 2000 John Kearney (East Cork)
 
 2001 Peter Duggan St. Joseph’s (Kilkenny)
 
 2002 Paul Deegan D.S.D. (Dublin)
 
 2003 Philip Harty (K.C.K.)
 
 2004 George Murray (North Cork)
 
 2005 Sandis Bralitis (Ballynonty)
 
 2006 Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford AC) 50.08 course record.
 
 2007 Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford AC)
 
 2008 Sergiu Turea  (Clonliffe Harriers)
 
 2009 Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford AC)

HELP WANTED FOR THE QUANTUM LIFE DUNGARVAN 10 MILE RACE
 
 We are delighted to report that we have had a great response to our appeal for help for the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race which will be held on Sunday next, January 31st at 1 p.m. However, with approximately 1,200 runners expected to take part it’s a case of all hands on deck for the day. We are still on the look out for more helpers on the day or people to make some sandwiches or buns or cakes for us. If you think you may be able to make some sandwiches or help out down at the centre on the day, please fill out a form with your contact details, the forms will be available at tonight’s league. If you can’t make it to the league but are available to help out please call either Ann at 086 0619711 or Norma at 087 9385965 or alternatively you can contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . All those who did fill out forms will be contacted towards the weeks end with details of times to drop off sandwiches etc. Thanks very much.

ALLROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE.
 
THE HEAT IS ON.

With ten nights gone and only four remaining it’s certainly getting very exciting at the winter league and it looks set to continue right to the very end. Last week saw us running in perfect conditions and there was many a happy face heading home with the knowledge that they had run their fastest time ever at the league. The numbers are still well up and with people moving up and down the division tables it’s fair to say that everybody is still in with a great chance. It’s still impossible to predict who the eventual winners will be or even who the main contenders to the throne are as there are so few points between all the athletes at the moment. Even 50 points between you and another athlete may sound a lot but in reality it’s not.  With up to two people crossing the line every second it’s possible to close the gap by improving by 20 seconds or so, it really is there for the taking by anybody so it’s up to us all to give it our best shot over the remaining 4 nights. Tonight is week 11 and after the results have been totted up tonight people may move up to the next division or down a division or they may very well stay in the same division. Whatever division you finish up on after tonight is the division you will stay in until the end. After week 13 we will redo the division tables, taking everybody’s best 12 nights. For those that will have ran all 13 nights they will be in the position of excluding the night in which they received the most points as its least points is best. For those that won’t have ran all 13 nights, you were still allocated points for the nights you didn’t run so we will still pick your best 12 nights. This will give you all a fair indicator as to where you are on the division tables but it still is no guarantee as it will all depend on the final night. With everybody really in tip top shape at the moment it could very well be that the final night is everybody’s best night so it will be back to the drawing board as regards the division tables. Anyway, we will take care of the division tables and let the rest of you concentrate on running as best as you can over the remainder of the league.

MICHÉAL MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE TABLES

Michéal Ó Chuirrín has made his way to the top of the division tables after a powerful display last week. Last week saw Ann Whelan at the helm with a 3 point lead but now Micheal is in command with a 20 point lead over Angeline Drennan who has moved into second place with Ann Whelan in third but just about as a mere point is all that separates Angeline and Ann. Kevin Hickey has also proved that he’s not ready to relinquish claim to the title as yet as he also ran superbly and a repeat performance tonight may well see him back in the driving seat. In fact, all ten athletes in the first division are well capable of winning along with all those in division 2 and the other division winners is anybody’s guess. There’s nothing like a bit of competition to up the tempo and it certainly worked for Trevor Walsh who was delighted to get under 40 minutes for the first time last week, well done Trevor. Ray Burke and Pat Frisby and Ger Wyley were also in the sub 40 minute group and close to breaking 40 were Sharon Duggan, Denis Coffey, Kenneth O’ Donnell, Kevin Hickey and Joe Barry. Michelle Flynn is so close to reaching 52 minutes, Noleen Kiely Dalton will be well under 50 minutes tonight going on her current form and Eoghan Drea is well capable of breaking 50 once again tonight. Only four nights left so it’s all to fight for. 140 runners took part in the long run and so many recorded personal best times last Wednesday but the nature of the league will see everybody chasing faster times yet again tonight and no doubt you will all come up trumps! The following are the top ten in division one and the top two in all the remaining divisions which may all change again after tonight.

Division 1

Micheal O Chuirrín 390
Angeline Drennan  410
Anne Whelan   411
Kevin Hickey   444
Alan Cullen   474
Luke Cunningham  475
Andrea Gaffney  479
Joe Barry   522
Donagh Cummins  522
Pat Frisby  541

Division 2:  Clare Walsh (553) and Denis Coffey (557)
Division 3:  Brian Kirwan (596) and Joanne Dunford (557)
Division 4:  Liam Power (614) and Tom Leahy (620)
Division 5:  Jimmy Fitzgerald (666) and Brendan Donnelly (668)
Division 6:  Eamon Phelan (707) and Martina Walsh (711)
Division 7:  James Murray (756) and Des Feeney (758)
Division 8:  Aidan Landers (769) and Gerry O’ Connor (770)
Division 9:  David Connors (795) and Caroline Russell (805)
Division 10: Marion Moloney (822) and Noel Drohan (827)
Division 11: Liz Nyhan (862) and Lorcan O Muiri (868)
Division 12: David Power (909) and Michael Dunford (914)

BRIAN HOURIGAN EXTENDS HIS LEAD AGAIN

Last week Brian Hourigan had a 55 point lead over Gary Cantwell but he is now in the enviable position of having a 62 point lead over Sinead de Faoite who has now moved up to second place after Gary Cantwell moved down to fourth spot. The names are moving up and down and will continue to do so until the divisions are locked down after tonight. This means that when the results are done up tonight you will remain in the division you are in until the very end. The element of competition certainly keeps you all in your toes and may it continue again tonight. Well done to Claire Foley who broke 23 minutes last week and to Aine O’ Driscoll who was under 24 minutes, clocking 23.58 exactly. Caroline O’ Donnell had 5 seconds to spare in her bid to break 22 minutes and Caroline Lenihan was just 5 seconds over 21 minutes. Treasa Milmoe is still celebrating the fact that she beat 20 minutes in style by recording 19.48 on the night. Seamus Casey is in the same boat as he also clocked 19.57 so keep up the good work lads. David Lennon looks set to join the sub 20 minute runners tonight as he was fairly close last week. Every second counts in the league and tonight we have some people that will be looking to run just a second or two faster. Emma Walsh was 22.01 last week and Kate Organ was 23.01 so these two will be delighted to get on the other side of the clock tonight. The division tables are constantly changing and even at that the difference between first and second in each division is minimal so it really is there for the taking by anyone, it really and truly could be you. You may be at the bottom of a division but it’s easy to move up the tables with a little improvement each week. There is no change in division 2 from last week but divisions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 all have new leaders after last week so the big question now is-who will be at the top of the division tables after tonight?  Be sure and give it your best shot tonight as it could very well be you!
The following are the top ten in division one and first and second in the remaining divisions.

Division 1:

Brian Hourigan   340
Sinead De Faoite   402
Kelly Cantwell   405
Josie Ui Chuirrin  408
Gary Cantwell  429
Pearl Veale   431
Maria Kiely   467
Ray Power   471
Paula Reddy   474
Deirdre O’ Donnell 490

Division 2: Gillian Flynn (491) and Louise Moloney (494)
Division 3: Declan Hayes (558) and Shauna Kelly (565)
Division 4: Seamus Casey (594) and Kate Organ (594)
Division 5: Pat Fizgerald (623) and MaeveAnn Moynihan (631)
Division 6: Catherine Sutton (671) and Mark Mason (671)
Division 7: Emma Walsh (710) and Pamela Aird (711)

STARTING TIMES FOR TONIGHT

For the starting times we will be reverting back to the system whereby both the long and the short route will be split into two groups. There will be two starting times for the short route, you will be either going off at 0.00 or else at 5.00. Those in the long route will be heading off at either 2.30 or 7.30. Please arrive in plenty of time as we will all be heading off relatively early once the clock starts at 7.20 pm.

LUCKY DIP PRIZES FOR LAST WEEK

Jean Foley and Aine Lombard were the lucky two who picked up a prize based on last week’s run. Tonight is the 27th so the two runners that finish in 27th place in each route will be tonight’s lucky individuals. Please let us know at the desk tonight if you are due a prize.

MYSTERY TOUR

It’s been a long standing tradition in the club to have a mystery tour after the winter league and this year is no exception. Plans are well underway for the mystery tour of 2010. Essentially, a venue is decided on and on the Friday night after the league finishes a bus collects the athletes and brings them to the chosen venue. Nobody knows where they are going and it has always been a closely guarded secret. The overall winner in both the long and short route will be revealed on the night and the prizes will be awarded to them as well as all the other division winners. From next week onwards, we will be taking names for all those looking to go on the bus, it will be done on a first come, first served basis and the cost is 5 euros.

FANTASTIC WEEKEND FOR WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES AT ALL IRELAND MASTERS INDOORS IN NENAGH.

West Waterford Athletic Club are blessed with some of the most outstanding Master athletes in Ireland and they prove it time and again all over the country competing in Track & Field, Road, Cross Country and Indoor.  This past weekend saw the staging of the All Ireland Masters Indoor competition in the indoor arena in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.  Unfortunately our athletes did not have the benefit of taking part in the Munster Masters due to the adverse weather conditions when the event was scheduled for early January so they had to train for the All Irelands not really knowing what the competition would be like.
This did not have a negative affect on the day however as each and everyone turned in an outstanding performance taking All Ireland medals of all colours.  Pride of place once again goes to Terry Gough who is heading home to Rathgormack with 4 gold medals in her back pocket.  Terry went into the 0/65 age category recently and is an example to all of us with her attitude, enthusiasm and willingness to compete.  For the record Terry won the 60m, 200m, 400m and 800m.  A great day’s work Terry. 
Corinna Walsh is a fairly recent recruit to the Masters age group and has already left her mark in track and field and cross-country so here she turned her attention to the indoor competitions.  Once again Corinna did not disappoint and ran very strongly in the 800m to hold off her closest rivals taking first place and a gold medal in the process.  In the 1,500 Corinna had a very confident run to lead the field and maintained this to the finish.  In the 3,000m Corinna took an excellent 2nd place so congratulations to Corinna who took 2 gold and one silver medal on the day.
Sandra Brazil White is no stranger to Munster and All Ireland Competitions and here she took part in her favourite event the 200m.  Sandra trains all year around in the R.S.C.to get ready for the Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field competitions and with such dedication she deserved her excellent 2nd finish in her chosen event.  Brigid Coffey taking part in her first All Ireland Indoor event will be delighted to be returning to Ballymacmague with a bronze All Ireland medal in the 0/40 1,500m.  This will give Brigid great confidence after her bronze county medal in the Munster senior cross-country just 7 days previously. 
Not to be outdone the male members of the club more than held their own with Richie Power coming 4th in the 800m and 5th in the 1,500m.  However just 24 hours earlier Richie Power had perhaps his best day in the club singlet when he took a silver All Ireland medal taking part in the Quadrathlon, a combined event where you score points for your performances in 4 events the 60m, long jump, shot and 1000m.  For the record Richie took first place in the 60m, 2nd in the long jump, 2nd in the shot and also 2nd in the 1000m.  First place in the competition went to Padraig Cullinan from Mayo, Richie was second and Seamus Fox from Cork was in third place. 
Harry O Brien is another athlete who is absolutely dedicated to his athletics and once again he gave it his all and was thrilled to take first place in his 2 chosen events the 800m and the 1,500m.  Harry too runs Cross Country for the club and his hard work paid off with 2 gold medals.
Yevgeniy Chizhikov also represents West Waterford at every occasion and is willing to travel to do so.  His running is also going well at the moment and on Sunday he captured his first All Ireland medal in the shape of silver in the 800m. 
Joe Gough is perhaps our best-known Masters Athlete and on Sunday he too put in a fantastic performance when he took gold medals in all three events he took part in.  Joe won his favourite event the 800m and will be delighted to have taken gold also in his age category in the 200m and 400m.  This was a great day for Joe and no more than he deserves.  What pleased Joe more even than his own performance was that of all the other athletes from the club as Joe is always encouraging people to give it a go and take part in these competitions.
Once again on behalf of all club members congratulations to all the athletes who took part and you can all take great pride in your achievements.

MALLOW AC TEN MILE ROAD RACE

The above race which had previously been scheduled for January 10th but which was cancelled due to the weather has now been rescheduled for Sunday, February 7th. The race will begin at the usual time of 12.30 and is sponsored by Kostal Ireland. If you had previously registered your details there is no need to re-enter. All those that have registered beforehand will be charged 12 euros on the day but those that haven’t will be charged 15 euros. It’s possible to enter on the day but entry to the race will close at 11.30 so please ensure you get there in plenty of time.

MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SPRING SERIES

The Michael Roche Carpet’s Spring Series got underway last Sunday in Colligan Wood with the Colligan Cup race. This was the first race in the series and the second race is the prominent Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race which will be held this coming Sunday. The series is a four race programme and the remaining two races will be the Bausch and Lomb Kilmac 5 on February 21st and the Eason’s Dungarvan 10k on Sunday, February 28th. More details to follow on these races. If you want to be part of the series you must join the series, it’s not enough to just do the races: you must enter the series separately at a cost of 5 euros. Some people entered at the Colligan Cup and we will be taking entries again at the Kilmac 5 race which will be the last opportunity to join the series REMAINING RACES IN SERIES.
RACE 2.-Quantum Life Dungarvan 10.Sunday January 31st at 1 PM.
RACE 3. –6th Annual Bosch and Lomb Kilmacthomas 5 Sunday 21st  February at 11am.
RACE 4. –28th Annual Eason’s Dungarvan 10 k Sunday February 28th  at 11am.
Divisions will be set up and prizes will be awarded at the final race on March 01st. Your best three results from the four races count in the overall.

ALL IRELAND INTERMEDIATE AND MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY

The All-Ireland Intermediate and Masters Cross Country will take place on Sunday, February 21st and the chosen venue is Lough Key, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The entries will need to be sent in fairly soon and so we ask that all those intending to travel to contact either Ann Dunford at 086 0619711 or Norma Wall at 087 9385965. Your co-operation in this is greatly appreciated.

RUNNING QUOTE.

When we understand the privilege of what it means to be an athlete, we are in touch with, and rejoice in, our physical, mental, and emotional strengths and our endless possibilities.

SANDIS AND RAIVIS KEEP THE FLAG FLYING IN CLONMEL.

The previously postponed Clonmel AC Tony O’Connell 4 miler saw a good field of 158 at last Sundays rescheduled race. The overall winner was Clonliffe’s Sergiu Ciobanu in a splendid time of 19.10 with West Waterford’s Sandis Bralitis 2nd in 19.17.Sergiu and Sandis had a ding dong battle throughout the race and were nip and tuck for the first 3 miles recording times of  1st mile - 4 mins 33secs, 2 miles - 9 mins 22 secs, 3 miles - 14 mins 23 secs. The Moldavian national them drew on all his strength to clinch the win over Sandis in the final couple of hundred meters. Pat Byne of Tinryland was 3rd 19.25 Alan O’Shea 4th 19.41 and Raivis Zakis was 5th in 19.53 all the top 5 were under the 20 minute barriers The Ladies prize went to Pauline Lambe of Tullamore Harriers in a time of 23.17.

LOUGHNANE CROWNED SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR 2009

World race-walking silver medallist, Olive Loughnane, was crowned The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council ‘Sportswoman of the Year 2009′ for her performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin earlier this year. The thirty-three year old was presented with her award by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, T.D., at a gala awards ceremony in Dublin where fourteen other sport stars were recognised for their outstanding achievements throughout the year.
Loughnane won the prestigious overall award for her silver medal-winning performance at the IAAF World Athletics Championships which took place in Berlin in August 2009. She took the silver medal in the 20 km walking competition, finishing just 49 seconds behind defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Olga Kaniskina of Russia, who won in one hour, 28 minutes and nine seconds. Olive is only the fourth Irish athlete ever to have won a World Championship medal, joining Eamonn Coghlan (gold in 1983), Sonia O’Sullivan (silver in 1993 and gold in 1995) and Gillian O’Sullivan (silver in 2003), also in the 20 km walk.
“I am delighted to be selected as Sportswoman of the Year and it is an enormous honour to be in the company of other sports stars like Katie Taylor, Derval O’Rourke and Mary Cullen”, said Olive of her award win. “It is a great way to round off a very successful sporting year for me. When I came home the crowds that turned out at Loughrea and Coachford were amazing. The World Championships was a significant step for me and has given me the confidence I need for the next two years, in looking forward to London 2012“.
In 2008, Loughnane enjoyed success at the Beijing Olympic Games, with Ireland’s best result in track and field when she finished seventh in the 20km walk. This is a huge victory for the Galway athlete who suffered a chronic iron deficiency following the birth of her daughter Eimear three years ago.
At the awards lunch, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, said:
“Today we are honouring talented and enormously committed Irish sportswomen who have achieved excellence in the sporting arena. These athletes are being recognised for the many hours of hard training and dedication that they have put into their sport. Each finalist is a credit to our country and it is with great pride that we can celebrate their success.”
John Tracey, CEO of The Irish Sports Council commented on behalf of the awards sponsor, stating:
“The Irish Sports Council is delighted to be associated with these awards which celebrate the achievements of our top sportswomen. They are amazing athletes and fantastic role models who will inspire future generations of Irish women to excel at sport. I would like to congratulate Olive who is richly deserving of this award. In 2009 Olive delivered on her outstanding talent and we are delighted that she will continue to showcase Irish athletics at future major championships“.
At the ceremony, Ms. Geraldine Kennedy, Editor, The Irish Times said:
“Each of the finalists here today is worthy of an award, for both your commitment to your sport and for first class performances which will inspire and motivate the next generation of sporting champions. I would like to congratulate each of the finalists and I wish each of you continued success in your sporting careers.”
Irish Athletes Derval O’Rourke, Ciara Mageean and Mary Cullen were also recognised at the gala event as monthly winners.
Established in 2004 and sponsored by The Irish Times and The Irish Sports Council, the aim of the Sports Woman of the Year awards is to recognise the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a twelve month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. From the twelve monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced.The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTÉ, and the Evening Herald.