FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
FINAL ROUND BRINGS OUT FAST TIMES.
The final round which was an added round because of two weeks missed pre-Christmas took place last Wednesday evening and it was quite a damp night for the run, however this didn’t deter the good turnout of runners on the night. Out thanks again as always to our band of helpers who had to once again brave the elements on the night, it has been a tough year weather wise for the league but our loyal helpers week in week out never leave us down.It was all systems go pedal to the metal form the whistle which was sounded by our sponsor Kevin Fode for the fin al round of the 2019/20 Fordes Daybreak winter league as the large field made its way down the lookout and over the cause way with many of the divisions still in the balance and indeed the overall title for the current league was still in the balance with little between the top contenders, so everyone was giving it their all. One man who didn’t hang around last week was our first finisher Alan Kinsella who whipped around the long course in an impressive 30.12.T.J Crotty,Garret Byrne and James Whelan battled for the runners up spot with little separating the three at the finish line with T.J just holding off Garret by a second 32.21 to 32.22 and James just in behind in 32.27.Our first Lady home last week was Geraldine Lacey in 38.36 with Leanne Kirwan 2nd home in a time of 40.07 and 3rd was Joanne O’Neill in 40.24. 133 ran on the final night and well done to all who competed over the 16 weeks of the league, A winter league long sleeve Shirt was awarded to all who completed 8 rounds of the league. The overall winner of the Fordes Daybreak winter league cup will of course be revealed in Minnies this Friday evening at our presentation evening and social night so please do come along for what is always a great night guaranteed. The club has a busy programme all year round and mainly right through the summer months so keep up your fitness with WWAC by check out our fixtures for 2002 at www.westwaterfordathletic.org or follow us on facebook, remember running is good for Mind and Body !!!
|
SHORT COURSE RUNNERS GIVE IT THER ALL ON LAST NIGHT. |
It was a nice, cool evening as our runners gathered at Dungarvan Sports Centre for the last night of Fordes Daybreak Winter League. Once again a great crowd of nearly 50 runners gathered before heading off on the 2.4 mile route. This section of the league has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.4 miles in total. As it was the last night of the league for 2019/ 2020, we had as “mass Start” where all the runners headed off together. League Sponsor, Kevin Forde, of Fordes Daybreak was on hand to get the runners under way. Also, any runners that had completed the required 8 nights out of 12 were able to collect their long sleeve winter League T-Shirt. The Presentation night for the League is taking place on this Friday 28th February in Minnies and we hope to see you all there. As it was the last night, a lot of runners were trying to run their best time before the league ended. Some great times were recorded. First on the night was Aintanxe Monzan in 14.06. Aintanxe was followed by Kyle Walsh in 14.21 and Ciaran Frisby in 14.42. Next was David Towey in 14.47 followed by Martin Hayes in 16.24. First Lady on the night was Linda Foley in 16.26 followed by Kim Daly in 18.41 and Marie Aherne in 19.17 .Many other excellent times were recorded including – Jamie Organ (16.46), James Fennell (17.34), Carly Kearns (19.19), Karen Hallahan (19.58) and Orla Browne (19.59).Once again, thanks to all out Stewards out on the course and our crew in the hall and at the Finish Line who braved the elements over the 12 nights of the league to keep all the runners safe and keep the league running so efficiently. We couldn’t hold these league without all their help. Finally, well done to everyone who took part in the league, whether it was 1 night or all 12. Keep an eye on the club notes, Facebook and website to see what events we have coming up and try to keep up the running habit. Our next league is the Colligan league start at the end of March.
WINTER LEAGUE PRESENTATION AND SOCIAL NIGHT OUT.
All are invited along to Minnies Bar Abbeyside on Friday night February 28th at 8.30 pm for the presentation and social evening to celebrate the finish of the winter league, this always is a great night and one not to be missed, you worked hard throughout what was a tough winter for running so you deserve a good night out, see you in Minnies.
NEXT LEAGUE IS THE POPULAR MARK MASON FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.
The club’s next big local event is the 5 week Mark Mason’s Financial Services Colligan running league for beginners and regular runners and all are welcome once they are over 16 years of age. Our thanks to Mark and the Mason family for their kind sponsorship of the league once again this year. We would especially encourage newcomers to come along and join in this league in Colligan wood. For the complete beginner there is the option of doing two laps of the wood , beginning at the wooden bridge and finishing at the wooden bridge. This is 4km in distance or 2.5 miles so it might suit all those that ran the short route over the winter league plus this route is more or less completely on the flat. Another option is to take part in the 5-mile circuit; this is 3 and a half laps of the same flat circuit of the wood mentioned above. The final option and the main event is the 5 mile hill route which is one lap of the wood for starters and then up the first hill and down the hill and then across the road for the second hill and finishing in by the wood at the bridge. The entry fee for all runners is €2 each night. The overall winner of the league will receive the Veale family perpetual shield. The league will start on Wednesday March 25th and continue for five Wednesday evenings April 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd .Mass start each evening at 6.30 pm.
PAT HENNESSEY WINS KINSALE 10 IN A COURSE RECORD TIME.
There was another terrific front running performance last Sunday at the Kinsale 10 mile road race when Pat Hennessey continued his winning sequence with an emphatic win at the Kinsale 10 mile road race with a gun to tape victory in a great time 51.11.This was a course record for Pat with the old mark at 51.56 Pat truly shattered this.Claire McCarthy Leevale won the ladies race in 61.19.Pat who finished 8th in our own 10 mile at the start of February and Sundays race was a new personal best for the distance, there was a good representation from the club and good times were recorded as seen below. Well done to all.
Pat Hennessey 51.11
Mark Cliffe 1.11.08
Ted O’Leary 1.11.21
Niall Collins 1.11.56
Anthony Dwyer 1.15.24
Gareth Pope 1.18.55
Sinead Uí Fhaolain 1.20.57
Cait Verling 1.26.29
Hazel Crowley 1.30.58
Eleanor Casey 1.30.58
MICK AND LINDA RUN THE MOUNTAINS ROUND KILARNEY.
Mick Concannon and Linda Foley took on something a little different last Sunday when both ran and completed The Hardman gap of Dunloe half marathon. Not one for the faint hearted both got around in one piece despite the difficult terrain which made for hard running.
IRISH LIFE HEALTH NATIONAL INDOOR SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Very best of luck to our four senior athlets competing this weekend in Abbotstown at the Irish Life health national senior indoors.
Micheál Power 3.000 meters
Kate Veale 3.000 meters walk
Lisa Houlihan Pole Vault
Yuri Kinash Pole Vault
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES RUN BRIGHTON HALF.
Huge well done to our troupe of Ladies who made the trip to run the Brighton half marathon last Sunday.The race was held in very windy conditions and the going was tough by all accounts but the girls were determined to complete the course one and all with the memory of their friend Nicky Burton who passed away some time ago. Nicky was a regular Brighton half participant before her untimely passing .Her final race was our own Greenway half in 2018 so it was very nostalgic run for the four girls today who are all to be commended on making the trip and completing the race in memory of their dear friend.
Well done Ladies.
Patricia Daly 2.05.13
Caroline Russell 2.05.31
Catherine Keogh 2.18.07
Therese Power Hickey 2.18.08
WEST WATERFORD AC HOST MUNSTER ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The club has the honour next Sunday on behalf of the county board of hosting the Munster road racing championships for novice, senior and masters both men and women. It’s now 5 years since we last hosted this event and on Sunday next we will be using the same course we used back in 2015 and the Brickey GAA club pavilion will be race HQ (by kind permission).From our own clubs point of view we will have full teams competing in all categories on the day. First race which is the Ladies will start at 12 noon followed by the men’s race shortly after. If you’re interested in seeing top class road racing why not come along to the Brickey Valley Sunday morning for an hour and witness the top athletes in action.
MENS TEAMS.
Pat Hennessey
Cian O’Riordan
Shane O’Riordan
Gary Cantwell
Yev Chizhikov
David Towey
Raivis Zakis
Marc Flavin
Anthony Flynn
Des Feeney
Eoghan Moloney
James Whelan
Alan Hogan
Colm Ryan
Tom Longan
Liam Fitzgerald
Alan Kinsella
Shane Mc Govern
Joe Salmon
Ray Hahesy
Martin Tobin
Joe Gough
Conor Murray
Martin Hayes
Ger Reilly
Anthony Dwyer
LADIES TEAMS.
Ciara Burke
Linda Foley
Niamh O’Donovan
Sharon Higgins
Linda Guilly
Debra Doherty
Natalie Sheehan
Cait Verling
Sinead Ní Fhaolain
Claire Kennedy
Geraldine Lacey
Nicola Moroney
Nuala Hogan
Onra Power
Liz Nyhan
Bernie Prendergast
Karen Ryan
Caroline Russell
CLUB MEMBERSHIP.
The club membership is now due and can be paid at any of our club events. You can now pay your club membership online or you can also download our club membership form off our web site www.westwaterfordathletics.org and send it into us or we will also be available at all club events to accept your membership at a cost of 25 Euros. Please note that membership with the club is for the calendar year and will cease on December 31st and it’s not 12 months from the date that you join.
JOE GOUGH WINS INDOOR 800.
Well done to Joe Gough who competed as a guest at the Leinster indoor masters in Abbottstown last Saturday where he won the over 65 -800 meters in 2.22.84
RUNNING QUOTE.
“When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever”
