MASON MORTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.
THE BATTLE IS ON.
The bright evening and the good weather attracted a great crowd to Colligan Wood last Wednesday evening for round two of Mason's Mortgages and Financial Services Running League. Everyone certainly had a spring in their step and no doubt we are all looking forward to training and running in some good weather for a change!!

We had some more new faces last week and we would like to welcome even more. You do not have to have participated from the beginning of the league to take part. Everyone is very welcome and there are three different courses to suit all levels of ability and distance. There is a 2.5-mile flat course, a 5-mile flat course and if you feel a bit daring and are looking for a challenge we have the 5-mile hill course.

There are two more stages left in the League, tonight April 4th and the following Wednesday April 11 th. The League begins each night at 6.30 for each of the three courses and entry fee is just €2 each night. The league tables are certainly taking shape now also as we have reached the half way stage the battle is really on for divisional honours in this years league.

In the Men's 2.5mile course Joe Gough continues to lead the way with 2 points, Scott Lyons and Pearse Moloney on eight points each and our League Sponsor Mark Mason on eleven points.

Niamh Moloney was first lady home last week in a great time of 20.43 and looks well capable of knocking more time off that over the coming weeks. All the ladies seem to have knocked chunks off their times from the first week. Well done to Caroline Russell, Joan Navin, Eilis O'Grady, Andrea O'Neill, Rose Fleming, Trish Connors, Mary Whyte, Aoife Doyle and Helen Carey. Helen was almost two minutes faster on week 2. Well done girls and keep it up.

Last year's ladies winner, Emer Scanlon looks set for the double as she is at the top of her division. However, Stacey Lyons who finished very close behind Emer is in close contention as well.

In the 5-mile flat course Declan McGrath had a super run last week and was first man home with Johnny O'Connor claiming second spot from Ciaran Lane in third. With only twelve points separating the first and last person in division 2 and with two nights to go the eventual winner could be anyone from that division. At present Michael Deegan leads from Michael Horgan but a good run from George Tutty, Eoin O'Brien, Hugh O'Connor or Ray Curran could turn the tables there. Corinna Walsh who is making a welcome return to the running scene is back to her winning ways and holds the top spot with the minimum two points accumulated after two weeks. She leads from Triona Wall with 7 points.

Raivis Zakis led the men home in style for the 5-mile hill course when he cruised around in under twenty-nine minutes. Sean Stilwell who is leading his division also had a great run when he clocked 29.36. Other runners of note were: Alan Lyons, Kenneth O' Donnell, Earl Navin, Colm O'Connell and Pat Morrissey.

The newly crowned Munster Novice Champion Sinead Crotty led the ladies home and did so in superb style clocking 34.07 for her efforts. As this was only three days after her last big race, it shows the talent and determination that she has in abundance. Her training is certainly paying dividends and she is deservedly reaping the rewards. Ann Wright is currently leading division 2 with Martina Ryan in second spot.

There is movement between all the divisions so watch this space as it could all change. Hoping everyone has an enjoyable night running.

CLUB SOCIAL AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. Our club social at the Park Hotel last Friday night was an outstanding success and a great night was had by all in attendance. We were treated to a superb meal laid on by the management and staff of the Park Hotel and our thanks to them for looking after us so well on the night.

Our chairman James Veale welcomed all guests and fellow members of the club. The President of the Athletic Association of Ireland Michael Heery addressed the gathering and he praised the club for their continued success at County, Munster, National Level. He added that West Waterford is the club on everyone's lips throughout the Irish running community at the present time. Club secretary Tony Ryan organised the presentation of Munster, All- Ireland and International medals to our club athletes who won them over the past year and these were presented by president Michael Heery and Munster council member Jerry Lyons.

We then had the presentation by Joe Gough to our Master Athletes of the Year. The winners were Brendan Moran and Sandra Brazil –White, two most deserving winners who between them brought County, Munster and All-Ireland glory to the club during 2006.

Following this, the presentation the Club Athlete of the Year presentation took place and a very popular winner in Raivis Zakis was announced. Congratulations to Raivis, a very deserving recipient indeed. All the above three winners were presented with beautifully inscribed vases from Criostal Na Rinne. The band " Never Heard of Them " were super and likewise the Mad Hatter disco which followed. In short, we danced away into the small hours.

Our thanks to Pat O' Brien of Minnie's Bar, Abbeyside for his more than generous sponsorship of one of the two door prize's for the social and the lucky winner here were Betty Sheehan and Martina Ryan.

Finally thanks to our hard working social sub committee of Ann Dunford and Norma Wall. Well done to you both on organising a superb night which was enjoyed by all.

THE EMER CASY MEMORIAL 10K.
The inaugural Emer Casey Memorial 10k run/walk will take place on Sunday, May 27th 2007 in Youghal, Co. Cork. The run, which is hoped to attract serious as well as recreational runners and walkers, will begin at 2pm sharp and will take in the breathtaking views of Youghal harbour and beach, as well as passing some of the town's historical landmarks.

The event is being organised by The Emer Casey Foundation, which was established in memory of the late Emer Casey, who died following a short but very brave battle to cancer. The race was officially launched in the Town Hall in Youghal on Friday, March 30 th by Cork hurler, Sean Og O'Hailpin, supported by several members of the senior team and panel, as well as members of the Cork Senior Ladies Football and Camogie teams.

Emer, beloved daughter of Brendan and Juliette Casey and a native of Youghal, was a vibrant and vivacious young lady whose life was tragically cut short last June at the age of 28. She was an avid hurling and rugby fan, travelling far and wide to follow every puck and ruck of whatever ball was in play, whether supporting the Cork Hurlers, Munster or Irish rugby teams. Emer's former colleagues in the law firm Matheson, Ormsby, Prentice Solicitors are the proud sponsors of the 10k and along with many other legal eagles will be out in full force on May 27 th.

The 10k is one of many events being organised by the foundation to raise money to increase public awareness of ovarian/uterine cancer and to provide support to the families of cancer patients. For further information and entry forms for the race, please log onto www.emercaseyfoundation.com. This flat course will guarantee fast times and is an ideal warm-up for the Cork City Marathon which takes place the following weekend.

2007 WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB ANNUAL NOW ON SALE.
The club Annual for 2007 is presently for sale presently and has been widely acclaimed by those who have purchased it as the best to date. Priced at a nominal 5 Euro it is great value for anyone with an interest in the clubs activities. The Annual is on sale at Eason's Dungarvan Shopping Centre, Whyte's Corner, Ger Wyley Sports and Albert Mc Grath Newsagents Mitchell St.and at the Colligan league tonight. Get your copy to-day.

ST.SENAN'S OPEN SPORTS.
The Annual St. Senan's Open Sports Day will take place in Kilmacow on Monday April 9th next with a 1 PM starting time. As per usual there is a huge array of events with distances to suit all. Starting with the underage program for boys and girls from under 8 right up to Junior level with sprints and long distance races in all age catagories. There will also be a full relay program, again covering all age groups.

There will also be an adults race for Senior Men and Women with the Men running 3000 meters and the Ladies 1500 meters. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 individuals plus the first 2 masters in each race. Entry is 5 euro

SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the family of the late Bridget Tierney, Viewmount, Waterford. May she rest in peace.

MUNSTER ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WEST WATERFORD MEN TAKE SILVER.
We received the men's results from last Sunday weeks Munster Road Championships in Dundrum, Co.Tipperary. Following on from the huge success of our Ladies teams in the championship, we are delighted to report this week that our Men's over 35 team came away with silver team medals.

Host club, Dundrum, took gold with 236 points from West Waterford 304 points with Eagle third on 313.We also took third county behind Tipperary on 232 points from Clare with 232 points and Waterford finished with 394 points. Well done to all athletes.

CLUB TRACK AND FIELD NEWS
MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP DATES ANNOUNCED.
Munster AAI has announced the following venues and dates for this year's championships.

ý Munster Junior and U/23 on Monday May 7 th Cork I.T.
ý Munster Masters n Sunday May 27 th.Castleisland.
ý Munster Senior on Sunday June 17 th.Cork I.T.

MUNSTER JUNIOR AND UNDER 23.
These Championships will be held on Bank Holiday Monday May 7th in Cork I.T. Any club athletes wishing to compete are asked to contact the Club Secretary Tony at 087 7657805.

RUNNING QUOTE.
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Pat O'Brien.

IT'S A BOY.!
Congratulations to club committee member Trevor and Ita Mason on the birth last week of a baby boy. Health and happiness to all.

BIG 40.
Congratulations to club member Michael Dwyer on the celebration of his 40th last week. I believe he duly did the traditional 40 th birthday long run on the day.

WATERFORD 5K SERIES.
West Waterford finishers.

2nd Dzintars Klava 15.53
17th Joe Gough 17.55
26th Diane Behan 18.39
28th Tom O'Brien 18.45
39th Rolf Power 19.52
41st Con Kelleher 19.58
48th Paul Mooney 20.23
50th Shane O'Hara 20.39
56th Jim Duhig 21.03
63rd Michael Wade 21.37
83rd Judy Hanrahan 23.00
92nd Inese Melne 23.35