ALL ROADS THIS SUNDAY LEAD TO COLLIGAN WOOD FOR THE 37th ANNUAL KIELY MONUMENTAL COLLIGAN CUP.
This coming Sunday the 11th January we will host the 37th Annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup. The Juvenile race starts at 11 am. The senior race has a 12 noon start and is over the usual 5 miles Colligan wood circuit and Juveniles will have a single 1-mile circuit to run. The Colligan cup is a unique event in that it is run on a handicap basis where you simply predict your finishing time over a 5 mile run, with the winner being the person who is nearest to that predicted time. This makes the race open to all no matter what your standard is, everyone has the same chance of taking the title. Now in its 37th year we would like to thank sincerely our sponsor for all of those 37 years David and Margaret Kiely of Kiely Monumental for their on-going support for the local running club West Waterford AC. So for a great fun event on the yearly running calendar Colligan is where you need to be come next Sunday 11th January
HOW COLLIGAN CUP TIMING SYSTEM WORKS.
The race timing system itself will remain the same as the one Victor Mullins devised 37 years ago. The following is how the handicap timing system works, the run begins when the clock starts with the time of the slowest predicted runner’s time, say 60 minutes. As the clock counts backwards down to zero every runner begins when his or her predicted time shows up on the clock. The runner with the fastest predicted time will be the last runner to start the race. The winner of the Colligan Cup is the runner who is the first person to cross the finish line after the clock reaches zero-it is that simple. All you have to do is get your prediction right. Remember, no watches allowed or music head phones. So if you would like to become part of local athletics history and have your name inscribed on the now famous Colligan plaque which was erected in the wood some years ago by the race sponsor David Kiely of Kiely Monumental come along next Sunday. We must also mention and thank Coillte for their permission and help in letting us hold the race. We urge all going to Colligan on Sunday to please allow plenty of time as parking will be restricted on the road to one side. Please do not park where your car might obstruct the flow of traffic or interfere with the runners. This is a great family event with something for everyone. The Colligan Cup itself will be awarded to the winner of the senior race, while the Shield will be awarded to the first lady finisher. The Victor Mullins cup will be awarded to the 1st runner on the right side of the clock who is running the event for the very first time. The Juvenile Shield will be presented to the Juvenile winner. The junior race is organized by the club’s juvenile section over one lap of the Colligan circuit and it gets under way at 11AM sharp and this too is a guess your time handicap event. The senior race will start at 12 noon. All are welcome to participate.
ROLL OF HONOUR
COLLIGAN CUP WINNERS (1989-2025).
1989 Willie Henry
1990 Nicky Sheehan
1991 Richie Moore
1992 Martin Geoghegan
1993 Liam Rossiter
1994 Gerry Cantwell
1995 John Lyons
1996 Tom Meehan
1997 Colin Lyons
1998 Kathleen O’Connell
1999 Tom Fitzgerald
2000 John Whelan
2001 Ray Dwyer
2002 Ann Cronin
2003 Tony Shalloe
2004 Michael Dwyer
2005 Mark Langford
2006 Brian Collins
2007 Maurice Boland
2008 Michael Tutty
2009 Ger Wyley
2010 Kelly Cantwell
2011 Liam Sandford
2012 Conor Blackwell
2013 Michael Dwyer
2014 Ray Hahesy
2015 Dermot Dwyer
2016 J.P Curtin
2017 Patrycja Daly
2018 Brigid Coffey
2019 Martin Hayes
2020 Paula Collins (RIP)
2021 ( postponed covid)
2022 Anthony Dwyer
2023 James Ryan
2024 Patrick Hurney
2025 Melanie Kelly
LADIES SHIELD WINNERS (1994-2024).
1994-Monica Power
1995 Paula Keohan
1996 Paula Keohan
1997 Frankie Devlin (RIP)
1998 Kathleen O’ Connell
1999 June Twomey
2000 Ann Cronin
2001 Martina Budds
2002 Ann Cronin
2003 Kathleen O Connell
2004 Helene Hayes
2005 Annette Long
2006 Josie Uí Chuirrin
2007 Catriona Mulcahy
2008 Diane Behan
2009 Brigid Coffey
2010 Kelly Cantwell
2011 Aine Lombard
2012 Anne Whelan
2013 Karen Ryan
2014 Diane Behan
2015 Mary Harney
2016 Mary Harney
2017 Patrycja Daly
2018 Brigid Coffey
2019 Nicola Cunniffe
2020 Paula Collins (RIP)
2021 (posponed)
2022 Edel Curry
2023 Grainne Dwyer
2024 Madeleine Hearn
2025 Melanie Kelly
Mc GRATH NEWSAGENTS JUVENILE SHIELD WINNERS (1993-2025).
1993 Alan Moore
1994 Darren Harty
1995 Ronan Dennehy
1996 Rosemarie Curran
1997 Dervla O’ Connor
1998 Rosemarie Curran
1999 Brian Kelleher
2000 David Buckley
2001 Natasha Behan
2002 Mary Ryan
2003 Lorraine McCarthy
2004 Sarah Flavin
2005 Michelle Norris
2006 Lughaidh 0’Mahony
2007 Rachel French
2008 Aaron Whelan
2009 Bobby Landers
2010 Sean Patmore
2011 Eoin Dwyer
2012 Gillian Whelan
2013 Tony Dwyer
2014 Mary Kate Prendergast
2015 Ronan Mansfield
2016 David Butler
2017 Aimee Ryan
2018 Kevin Butler
2019 Natalie Barry
2020 Kyla Flavin
2021 (posponed)
2022 Sebastian Byrne
2023 Eoin Tobin
2024 David Kiely
2025 winner Anastasia Ní Chochlain
THE VICTOR MULLINS CUP WINNERS (2009-2025)
2009 Michael Moloney
2010 Mark Cliffe
2011 Aine Lombard
2012 Tony Ferncombe
2013 Brendan Foran
2014 Keith O’Driscoll
2015 Claire Fitzpatrick
2016 Paddy Gilhooley
2017 Colm Ryan
2018 David Traynor
2019 Alan Hogan
2020 Tom Nyhan
2021 (posponed)
2022 Thomas Finn
2023 Jamie Hynes
2024 John Cass
2025 John Collins
€3.812 RAISED AT ST. STEPHEN’S DAY CHAIRTY RUN IN AID OF THE SHAM RYAN FUND.
The 24TH annual St Stephen’s Day fun run/walk jointly organised by Dungarvan GAA in association with West Waterford athletic club was held again this year for the 24TH successive year, the weather was idea for the big number of runners and walkers in attendance for this most popular event hesl each St Stephens day and is now in its 24th year with a large amount of money raised over this period for various charities. This year as is usually the case runners and walkers dug deep in the pockets and donated with a super total of €3.812 raised for this year’s recipient The Sham Ryan recovery fund.The organisers would like to sincerely thank all those who came along in such big numbers and who donated so generously on the morning. Very special thanks once again this year to those who provided the cuppa and for the participants on their return to the centre. Thanks to the large number of stewards this year who helped in the smooth safe running of the event especially the group from Modeligo GAA club who came along to help on the day also.Thanks also to Tony, Conor, John and Jamie who looked after the road traffic management also.Special thanks to the family of Sham who were also in attendance.
MICHEÁL POWER WINS CLONMEL 4.
The annual St Stephen’s day Clonmel AC promoted 4 mile road race was held with 600 runners competing the course. First home this year was Micheál Power West Waterford AC in a time of 18.16 , an impressive run and time from Micheál and great to see him is such good running form. Ciara O’Neill Clonmel AC took the Ladies victory in a time of 22.09.Club member Dermot Cummins had a top 10 finish in 10th place with a time of 19.36, we had 5 athletes breaking the 22 minute barrier which is good running and Onra Power was our only Female athlete on the day ,well done to all.
Micheál Power 18.16
Damien Murphy 21.08
Dermot Cummins 19.36
Robbie Wade 21.32
Noah Cummins 21.35
Gary Cantwell 22.02
Mark Flynn 22.48
Kieran Russell 25.51
Paddy Brunnock 27.13
Conor Murray 29.31
Onra Power 35.12
2026 WEST WATERFORD AC FIXTURES
11th January 2026-Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup
1st February 2026-John Treacy 10 Mile
1st April to 29th April 2026-Mason Colligan Hill League for 5 Wednesdays
06th April 2026-Aglish Fun Run
08th May 2026-AHS Tuning Ballinroad 5k
22nd May 2026-Round Tower Hotel Ardmore 5 Mile
5th June 2026-Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 Mile
26th June 2026-Oriel Bar Ballymac 5 Mile
3rd July 2026-Sherry Fitzgerald Reynolds Dungarvan 10 k
17th July 2026-Old Head Financial Ballinameala 5k
29th August 2026-Waterford Greenway Half Marathon
15th November 2026-Murrays Pharmacy Brickey 5k
06th December 2026-Clean zone Technologies Old Parish Turkey Trot
PLEASE NOTE COLLIGAN CUP- GUESS YOUR TIME TONIGHT AT WINTER LEAGUE.
We will start back the league for 2026 on January 7th with the Colligan cup style guess your time run. It’s always a great fun night with just about everyone having a chance of coming out on top on the night. Both clocks will operate in the hall “only” on the night and both will be starting at the same time. For the short course runners the clock will start at 35.00 and it will count backwards, so whatever time you think it will take you to run the league short course route you leave at that time and the first runner past the finish line after the clock hits 00.00 is deemed the winner. The long course runners will have the clock starting at 60 minutes and counting backwards also, again you leave the hall at whatever time you predict it will take you to run the course, the first runner crossing the finish line after the clock hits 00.00 is deemed to be the winner .Simple.!
CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2026.
The club membership for 2026 can now be paid. The club membership is for the calendar year January to December. You can pay your membership online by logging onto the athletics Ireland web site and just follow the instruction under membership, all membership renewals have been sent to your e mail address some weeks ago.
PLEASE NOTE COLLIGAN CUP- GUESS YOUR TIME TONIGHT AT WINTER LEAGUE.
We will start back the league for 2026 on January 7th with the Colligan cup style guess your time run. It’s always a great fun night with just about everyone having a chance of coming out on top on the night. Both clocks will operate in the hall “only” on the night and both will be starting at the same time. For the short course runners the clock will start at 35.00 and it will count backwards, so whatever time you think it will take you to run the league short course route you leave at that time and the first runner past the finish line after the clock hits 00.00 is deemed the winner. The long course runners will have the clock starting at 60 minutes and counting backwards also, again you leave the hall at whatever time you predict it will take you to run the course, the first runner crossing the finish line after the clock hits 00.00 is deemed to be the winner .Simple.!
CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2026.
The club membership for 2026 can now be paid. The club membership is for the calendar year January to December. You can pay your membership online by logging onto the athletics Ireland web site and just follow the instruction under membership, all membership renewals have been sent to your e mail address some weeks ago.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Sheila Budds Summerhill, Kinsalebeg, who passed to her eternal reward recently, may she rest in peace.
