Notes January 01-12

ALL ROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE 2012

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO JOIN THE WINTER LEAGUE

The second phase of the All-rounder Sports winter league kicks off tonight at the usual venue: the sports centre, Quanns, Dungarvan at 7.20 pm. A large crowd is expected for the first night of 2012 and we hope that all those of you who have made New Year resolutions to improve your health and fitness will come on down and join the league. Our motto at the winter league is that it’s never too late, so why not come along and get on your way to a healthier and fitter 2012. If tonight is your first night please come along around 7 o’ clock so that we can issue you with a number and explain the procedure to you. Newcomers are welcome for each night of the league and if you can’t make it tonight then come along next week and bring a friend or two with you, the more the merrier! Now that we all have had a break from the league it’s time to get back on track and concentrate on the next seven weeks which is all that is left of the league. The mild weather over the Christmas period saw lots of people hit the roads to get some extra miles in so by now everybody is anxious to get back to normal and concentrate on running even better times for 2012. Even if you haven’t managed to get some training in don’t let that put you off coming tonight, we will all be a little bit sluggish tonight for the first mile or two, just adjust your pace and in no time you will be back to normal. The goal is still the same, improve your running time each week and earn as little points as possible each night. The starting times will vary each week in order to make each run as interesting as possible and also to give us all that extra push and motivation to get to the finishing line as quickly as possible. Don’t forget your reflective bib and your number for tonight. See you at the Sport’s Centre!

MARIE SEAWARD IS BEST IMPROVER FOR WEEK 8 IN LONG ROUTE

The mild conditions for week 8 were welcomed by the runners in their bid for another pb before the end of the year. Mark Flynn and Karen Ryan were the first two home but as week 8 was their first night running the title of best improver went to Marie Seaward who was third home. Marie clocked 55.18 and another fine run will see her well under 55 minutes tonight. Paul Casey will be delighted to learn he was the second best improver on the night with a great time of 49. 11 and in third spot for week 8 was Orla O’ Mahoney who has been going from strength to strength since the marathon as has Trevor Walsh who was only one second behind Orla with a time of 44.18 and the fifth best improver was Liam Byrne with a time of 44.07 and so 44 minutes is well within his reach tonight. Others to impress on the night were Dan Kirby who clocked 38 minutes exactly and Angela Bradatan who got very close to 46 minutes with 46.22. Both Josie and Micheal O Chuirrin are edging closer and closer to 44 minutes, Ronan Power has only seconds to shave off to dip under 45 minutes tonight and Sheila O’ Brien finished the year on a great note by clocking 52.01 and without a doubt she will be recording sub 50 minute runs before long, watch this space! Diana Chizhikova has been training for the ten mile and this shows in her winter league runs as she now has her time down around the 55 minute mark which is great running. Padraig Begley is now well under 50 minutes so he will start 2012 with 49 minutes as his target. Best of luck to you all tonight.

RAY BURKE IS BEST IMPROVER IN THE SHORT ROUTE

There were no newcomers in the short route for week 8 so the first home would be the best improver and this was won by Ray Burke who had an absolutely super run to clock 16.25, well done Ray. The next best improver was Barry O’ Shea in 19.06, great running Barry and the third best overall improver and the best female improver was Lisa O’ Sullivan with a great time of 23.26 and the second best female improver and fourth overall was Ann O’ Donnell who got very close to 20 minutes with her time of 20.20. Patrick Ryan was the fifth best improver and he did very well to dip under the 19 minute mark with a great time of 18.58, well done Patrick. Others to impress on the night were Joanie Mcgrath (23.13), John Power and Martina Power (20.29), Wayne Hayes (18.31) and Michael Cummins (21.04). The key tonight is to not go off too fast as you don’t want to blow up half way around the course, take it nice and handy and if you are feeling good half way around then you can up the pace as you feel. Take a look at your time from before Christmas and perhaps aim to run the same time as then and then next week or the week after you can aim to improve by a little bit each week. Jackie Tobin will be well pleased with her time of 21.23 so in a few weeks we will see her under 21 minutes for sure. Paula O’ Regan is moving in the right direction towards 23 minutes and Martin Quinlan can afford to feel positive about breaking 18 minutes seeing as he clocked 18.09 for week 8 and chasing him will be Paul McGrath who is also close to the 18 minute mark. Caroline Ormonde will be looking to stay under 24 minutes from now on seeing as she achieved this for week 8 with 23.57 and Leonora Kiely will have 20 minutes as her goal over the next few weeks after clocking 20.43. We’re looking forward to seeing you all tonight.

WINTER LEAGUE DIVISION TABLES-JAMES O’ DONNELL AND TONY FERNCOMBE ARE STILL ON TOP

The winter league tables have now been established with ten runners in each division. The runners that are currently in the top ten are in the first division and the next ten are in the second division and so on down the line. Even if you miss a night you will still be allocated points and at the end of the league we will calculate everybody’s total score and the runner with the least number of points will be declared the winner. In the long route, James o’ Donnell is still in the lead with 224 points. This is a nice lead but all runners need to be aware of the fact that it’s possible to gain 70 or 80 points in just one night so from here on in all runners must run their best each night. Luke Cunningham is in second place and John Leahy in third. It’s far too close for anyone to have a clear lead at this stage and no doubt we will all be kept guessing right to the very end. The short route divisions are an even closer affair with a little over 100 points between the first and last person in division one. Tony Ferncombe is still the current leader with 280 points and Martina Power is in second place with 323 and in third is Thomas Hallahan with 330. It’s possible to gain 50 or 60 points in any night so like the long route it’s there for the taking by so many at this stage. All those in division two and three cannot yet be ruled out so for the time being just all concentrate on your running as it’s vital that you improve each week. The following are the runners in the top division in both the long route and the short route.

LONG ROUTE    SHORT ROUTE

James O’ Donnell  224   Tony Ferncombe 280
Luke Cunningham 348   Martina Power  323
John Leahy   382   Thomas Hallahan 330
Kevin Hickey   402   Paul McGrath  339
Catherine Mooney  415   Joe Nunan   342
Michael Dunford  417   Ray Burke   346
Pat Fitzgerald  423   Brett Lynam   369
John Foley   431   Sinead Moore   371
Tom Veale   440   Shelley Curran 378
Micheal O’ Chuirrin 455   Rosaleen Curran 387

STARTING TIMES FOR TONIGHT

The starting times for tonight have 45 seconds between the groups in the long route and there will be 20 seconds between the groups in the short route. As usual, we ask that all runners register upstairs first and then go downstairs to get their starting time and to be at the door in plenty of time as we cannot adjust the times of any runner that misses their time. 

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE ROUTES

For all those that wish to change from the short route to the long and vice-versa, please note that you must be issued with a new number. This will only take a few seconds but it’s important that you do so as it distorts the results of you don’t, thanks for your co-operation with this.

€2.300 RAISED AT ST. STEPHEN’S DAY JOLLY JAUNT

The annual St Stephen’s Day fun run/walk organised by Dungarvan GAA club in association with ourselves went ahead once again this year. A minutes silence was observed by all before the off as a mark of respect to Noel O’Doherty who passed to his eternal reward on Christmas Eve. The chosen charity this year was Cystic Fibrosis and despite the somewhat damp morning the organisers were delighted with the response to the run/walk, indeed it was a record turn out with just shy of 200 taking on the challenge and helping to raise €2,300 for a most worthy cause making the whole event hugely successful. Dungarvan GAA club chairman John O’Brien spoke and thanked all for coming along and Majella Fitzgerald and Trevor Galvin were on hand to accept the money collected on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis.
There was a great turnout of walkers and runners who were set on their way at 11 am from the Dungarvan GAA club grounds with most having a bash at the 5 miler. There was a good sprinkling of runners and walkers who did the shorter 2 mile circuit also.  On our return to the club pavilion we were all treated to the traditional soup and sandwiches courtesy of the ladies of the GAA club, so a big thank you has to go to all those walkers and runners who made the day the success that it was. Congratulations go to the local organising team at Dungarvan G.A.A. club. Thanks to Ann who looked after our safety on the stairs also. A sincere thanks also goes to all those who helped with stewarding and laying out the signage on the course. We hope to see all those who took part this year back again for next year’s event where we will collect more much need funding for a worthwhile charity. Happy new year to all.

JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10

RACE ENTRY NOW CLOSED

We set our stall out 3 years ago that we would try and build a quality event giving the participants the best possible value at the lowest price possible. We also knew it wouldn’t be done overnight so we set to build this race up nice and slowly into one of the best 10 milers in the country. Well I am delighted to report this week that we are well and truly on the way to achieving this goal as of from last week we have reached the 1.500 entry close off. Race entries are now closed and no more race entries will be accepted and certainly no entries on the day. The race as well as being the second race in the Michael Roche carpets spring series is also race number one in the John Buckley Sports sponsored Munster 10 mile classic series. All finishers of the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 will receive the now famous West Waterford AC goody bag plus a Nike dry fit running top will be awarded to all finishers, shower facilities will be available at the Dungarvan sports centre at the back of St. Marys Parish church in the town centre. The presentation of prizes will take place at the sports centre where teas and sandwiches will also be provided. The course used for this race is now regarded as one of the fastest10-mile courses in the country. If it's your first attempt at a 10 miler or if personal bests are your goal this race is the one for you, over a fast course at the classic 10-mile distance. This year's race will once again see substantial cash prizes for the top runners with the first lady and man getting €400 each plus €250 to the first athlete to break either course records, (Mareks Floroseks (Latvia 49.26) and Siobháin O’Doherty (56.28) There is a huge array of cash prizes on offer in all categories totalling €4.000 and all is now set for what will be the biggest 10 mile road race ever held in Co. Waterford-“The John Treacy Dungarvan 10"

PACERS WANTED

The organising committee of the upcoming John Treacy Dungravan 10 are calling on any runners entered for the race who might be interested in pacing other runners on the day to please let James know on 086 8184762. To date we have 3 committed to pacing and we are looking for a few more. We hope to have enough pacers to cover 70-75-80-85-90 minute splits and possibly having 2 runners with balloons running each split time. The only credential you need is to have a race entry and of course be well comfortable at running at the pace you chose.

JOHN TREACY DUNGRAVAN 10 MILE ROAD RACE MEETING

The final meeting before the 10 miler will be held in Minnie’s bar on Thursday 12th at 8.30 pm. All those involved in the organising of the event or anyone who might like to become involved are requested to attend.

COMMITTEE MEETING

The club’s first committee meeting of 2012 will take place tomorrow night Thursday, January 5th in Minnie’s Bar at 8.30 p m.

DAVID MC CARTHY WINS CLONMEL 4

Home on holidays for the festive season, West Waterford AC’s Providence College USA based David Mc Carthy, was in sparkling form on St. Stephens day when competing in the Clonmel AC organised 4 mile road race. He blitzed the 400 strong field of runners taking a comfortable victory in an impressive 18.58. The club’s winner of the Paddy Joe Delaney memorial shield as the first club runner to finish the Dublin Marathon in October Dzintars Klava was the next club finisher in 20.47 taking 6th place and it was great to see Sandis Bralitis back in action after a 6 month injury lay off finishing 7th in 20.49. Corinna Walsh also had a stormer of a run clipping around in under 6 minute pace taking the over 35 section in 23.45. It sure was impressive running so early in the year by all.

West Waterford AC finishers at Clonmel 4

David McCarthy  18.58
Dzintars Klava  20.47
Sandis Bralitis  20.49
Corinna Walsh  23.45
Michael Moloney  25.11
Regina Byrne   27.51
Jim Fleming   28.21
Geraldine Heffernan  30.15
Mary Wall   34.20
Michael Mc Carthy  34.30
Rita Cronnolly  37.40

CORINNA WINS BALDY MAN

Well done to Corinna Walsh who took the first ladies prize at last week’s Baldy Man run on Tramore Beach with a time of 37.13. There were 328 finishers on the day with Kevin Dooney Raheny Shamrocks AC winning the race in 30.41.

The following are the West Waterford club results:

Corinna Walsh  37.13
Mark Cliffe   40.49
Anthony Dwyer 41.35
Jim Fleming   41.49
Niall Power  45.34
Irene Clark   47.30
Pascal Proctor   50.12
Terri Gough   57.44

MUNSTER JUNIOR-SENIOR-MASTERS INDOORS THIS SUNDAY

The Munster Senior, Junior and Masters Indoor Championships are due to be held this coming Sunday January 8th starting at 11am. The club has a very good entry this year and we wish all participants the very best for the championships. Please note that no entries will be accepted on the day. The following are the club members entered

Junior women: Lucy O' Brien 800m
Junior men: Ciaran Dee 5k walk, Lughaidh O' Mahoney 60m, 200m, 400m
Senior Women-Claire Collins High Jump
Master Men:
Joe Gough 3000m, Richie Power 200m, 800m, 1500m, Harry O' Brien 800m, 1500m, Des Feeney 800m, 1500m, Dzintars Klava 3000m
Master Women : Terri Gough 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m

WOODIES DIY MASTERS AND AAI GAMES AND COMBINED EVENTS

Entries for the National Masters in Nenagh on Sunday January 15th, the AAI games and combined events Saturday 21st in Nenagh and the Junior Indoors in Nenagh on Sunday 22nd will shortly have to be submitted.  If competing in any of the above mentioned please contact Triona Wall at 087-9954373.

MUNSTER JUNIOR AND SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY ON JANUARY 15TH

The Munster Senior and Junior Cross Country championships will be held on Sunday January 15th in Beaufort Co. Cork. The entries for the event need to be sent in by this Friday 6th January, anybody interested in travelling are asked to contact Ann Dunford at 086 0619711 before this Friday’s closing deadline.

TOM WALSH MEMORIAL 10K

The Tom Walsh Memorial 10k Run and 5k Walk is planned for the 22nd Jan 2012 at 2pm in Caherconlish, Co. Limerick. All are welcome to participate in this inaugural event, starting at Boskill Cross, Caherconlish with post- race refreshments in the Millennium Centre, Caherconlish Co. Limerick. Tom Walsh, an international runner won over 200 races in Ireland, England and Scotland during his long racing career. Follow us on Facebook (Tom Walsh Memorial 10K Run & 5K Walk) for further information. Alternatively contact Tom Kennedy on 087 6261740 or John Robinson on 087 2245188.

SYMPATHY

West Waterford Athletic Club must record with sincere sympathy the deaths of three former members, club officers, administrators and supporters of athletics whose deaths occurred over the Christmas period. To the family and friends of Noel O’ Doherty 1 St Garvan’s Terrace, Dungarvan who passed to his eternal reward on Christmas Eve just a day short of his 70th birthday. Noel was for many years our time keeper at all of our club events, a task he took great pride in doing. It was with regret that we also record the passing just days later of Fr. Noel Columba O’Donnell St Augustine’s, Duckspool, Abbeyside. Fr. O’Donnell was instrumental in athletics circles in the locality with many clubs of that time- Dungarvan AC, The Friary AC, Déise AC and St Augustine’s AC and he also served on the county board for some years. The club and its members having just sadly attended the funerals and burials of the two athletic stalwarts mentioned above when news broke of a third passing of an athletics mentor and administrator as word filtered through of the sad passing of Nora Healy Old Parish. Nora started out as a member of the Ring/Old Parish club and then joined West Waterford AC in January 1996 as assistant secretary; she later served as secretary and in more recent years through the juvenile club she was chief organiser of the Primary schools sports. All three will be sadly missed by their families and loved ones and all of us in the athletics community. At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember them.
May they rest in peace.

RUNNING QUOTE

When you hit a rough patch, try to imagine yourself as an Olympic athlete who's headed towards the finish line. Envision your running form as smooth, graceful, and relaxed. Think of a runner who you really admire and imagine yourself running just like him.