West Waterford Athletic ClubWest Waterford Athletic Club

Notes July 19-09

 

BRONZE FOR DAVID MC CARTHY AT UNDER 23 EUROPEANS.

 

Winning one of his very first major championship individual medals West Waterford’s David Mc Carthy was the pride of the Irish under 23 team at the European Track and Field championships which were held in Kaunas Lithuania. last weekend David put in a tremendous performance to take Bronze in the 5000m in time of 14.00.78.This medal winning performance,”the only one achieved by the Irish team”,was just reward for the Providence student and rounds off his Track and Field season on a very high note plus most importantly it argues well for the future.The race itself saw the opening pace run very pedestrian like with McCarthy in close contention at the front of the large group throughout.The European junior silver medallist Mohammed Elbendir of Spain was the first to make a move which proved decisive when executed with a long run for home two and a half laps from the tape, he could not be caught winning by some thirty metres in 13:55.10. The early leaders in the race were Belarusian Siarhei Chabiarak and the Ukraine’s Maksym Krivonys, who covered two kilometres in 5:43.93 and three kilometres in 8:39.22.Both athlete were to finish 6th and 7th respectively, The whole field was tightly bunched at this stage with the eventual winner lurking around 14th in the pack. It was with two and a half laps to go that the race suddenly changed character as Germany’s Musa Roba-Kinkal moved into the lead, injecting some serious pace. Spotting the danger Turkey’s Selim Bayrak moved up to the German’s shoulder, but at this point Elbendir made his move and split the field apart with that rush to the front spoken about above. Passing the two-lap to go marker in 11:53.4, the Spaniard simply extended his lead to the finish. French Man Smail and David made an attempt to close the gap but were left with a little too much to do and they had to settle for silver and bronze, with nothing separating the two at the line the photo finish declared Smail the silver medal winner and David the Bronze. The Ballinamult man now takes a few weeks break with family in Donegal before heading back to base in Providence where he and Coach Ray Treacy will plan for the December date back here in Ireland for the European cross country championships. Well done David from all at the club onwards and upwards.

 

1
  
  ELBENDIR, Mohamed
  ESP
 13:55.10
 
2
 
 SMAÏL, Noureddine
  FRA
 13:59.23
 
3
 
 MCCARTHY, David
  IRL
 14:00.78
 
4
 
 NAGEEYE, Abdi
  NED
 14:03.87
 
5
 
 SCHWARZ, Rico
  GER
 14:04.15
 
6
 
 CHABIARAK, Siarhei
  BLR
 14:04.79
 
7
 
 KRYVONIS, Maksym
  UKR
 14:07.62
 
8
 
 PFLIEGER, Philipp
  GER
 14:09.13
 
9
 
 BAYRAK, Selim
  TUR
 14:10.10
 
10
 
 ROBA-KINKAL, Musa
  GER
 14:11.44
 
11
 
 GARCÍA, Javier
  ESP
 14:12.70
 
12
 
 SEPPI, Andrea
  ITA
 14:13.85
 
13
 
 TAYLOR, Jonathan
  GBR
 14:15.00
 
14
 
 WIGGERS, Tom
 NED
 14:19.52
 
15
 
 SÖDERBERG, Alexander
  SWE
 14:21.18
 
16
 
 CHAHDI, Hassan
  FRA
 14:21.76
 
17
 
 BURAAS, Sindre
 NOR
 14:25.83
 
18
 
 LE STUM, Matthieu
  FRA
 14:31.44
 
19
 
 TIMMINS, Lewis
  GBR
 14:32.51
 
20
 
 O’NEILL, Brendan
 IRL
 15:16.45
 

AMBER PETROLEUM FIT4LIFE LEAGUE

 NUMBERS ON THE UP

With 3 nights now complete in this “guess your time” league we’ve almost reached the half way stage of this most enjoyable contest.  Of course it’s different to most of our leagues as it’s not the fastest person who wins it’s the one who can get the timing right on the night.  Each night there are different factors to consider: It’s a bit windy tonight, will that slow me down?  The ground is a little soft, should I go off earlier than my normal time or maybe, the ground is really hard I think I’m going too fast!  Well the one who takes account of all these different factors could well be the winner, but, then again it could just as well be someone who has no idea what time they are running and they just get it spot on without even knowing how they did it!With another 5 nights remaining in the league there is still plenty of time to come out and try your luck.  The place to be is the Friary College grounds for the next 5 Tuesday evenings.  The entry fee is just €2 and you never know you could be a winner on your very first night.  The first 3 after the clock reaches zero will receive prizes at a prize giving evening when the league is complete.  With the club policy of 1 prize per athlete this will mean if you are lucky enough (or talented enough) to come in the top 3 more than once you win the prize of the higher value.  So if Eamonn Flavin comes second in week 6, because he is already a winner he will receive a winners prize and the runner who finishes 3rd in week 6 is promoted to 2nd and 4th runner to 3rd.  In this way we guarantee 24 different prize winners.  We also have a Champions League Table and there will be separate prizes for the top 5 in the table.  So come along to the Friary College on Tuesday evening next and try your luck.

 ITA HAS THE KNOW HOW

With 87 runners taking part in week 3 of the league it was difficult to predict where the winner was going to come from.  They say there is safety in numbers and once you start to enter the final field at the Friary College you want to be somewhere in the middle of the crowd.  If you’re out in front on your own you know you haven’t a hope and similarly if you are at the back and struggling to keep up, well, you know it won’t be you this week.  On Tuesday evening last the winner emerged from the middle of the crowd of runners descending on the finish line as the clock finally struck zero.  41 people had passed through the tunnel when Ita Mason crossed over the finish line and was declared to be the winner by our League Co-Ordinator Tony Ryan.  Congratulations to Ita who takes part in many of the club leagues including the Winter League and the most recent Minnies League where Ita also won her division over the One Lap distance.  So, well done to Ita who took the honours on the night.  Second place went to another great supporter of the Friary leagues, Pearl Veale who was just behind Ita and only 4 seconds slower than her predicted time.  Geraldine Heffernan filled the 3rd spot on the night and she will be delighted to have been so close to her predicted time at only 5 seconds out.  Triona Wall got it almost spot on also as she was just 6 seconds off her time with Claire Walsh just a further 1 second behind.  Of the 46 who finished on the right side of the clock 31 were less than 1 minute too slow which means that everyone is really starting to get the hang of this league and are all finishing together in a large group.  This makes it hard on our finish line team but they are well up to the task and proved this again last Tuesday evening handling the situation as efficiently as ever, so, well done to Tony, Shirley and also Tom Murphy and Margaret Power who gave a hand on the night. 

TOO FAST

Once again for those people just unlucky enough to finish before the clock reaches zero it’s a case of so near and yet so far as just 1 second separated Padraig Nolan from glory on the night.  Newcomer Joan Hough may be new to the Friary leagues but as James Veale tells us she is no stranger to running and was on many an award winning team with her club St Finbarrs.  Joan was also just 1 second faster than her predicted time while Caroline Lenihan finished a mere 2 seconds quicker than she would have wished.  Brigid Coffey and Josie Ui Chuirrin can also consider themselves unlucky, as 3 and 4 seconds respectively separated them from victory.  Catriona O Brien was another just too fast on the night and she also finished 4 seconds too early while Molly Byrne was also extremely close at just 5 seconds out. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE

In 2007 Onra Power set the pace with a point’s total of 141 for the 8 weeks of this league.  In 2008 Yevgenniy Chizhikov took this record up to 148 while Corinna Walsh also went past the total set by Onra when she finished second with 144 points.  Well after just 3 weeks of this current league Norma Wall is looking like she might conquer this total as she has already notched up 71 points.  With this total Norma leads by 11 from the winner of week 2 Eamonn Flavin who has 60 points to his name.  In third place is Michael Mc Carthy who although he has not had a victory in this league to date he is accumulating points steadily each week and this consistency sees him on a total of 57 points.  Ann Dunford is 2 behind on 55 while the two Power’s Paddy and Onra hold 5th and 6th places with 53 and 52 points respectively.  This could all change next week when the points are decided so don’t despair because if you can get the timing right and secure 30 points you too could jump to the top of the league table.

GREEN MILE LEAGUE

MICK MC CARTHY TAKES THE HONOURS

 

Cork based West Waterford member Mick Mc Carthy held off his fifteen opponents to win the first of the four night Green Mile League at St Augustine’s College last Thursday evening.  Used by many as a form of speed work to compliment their steady training runs, Mick clocked 7.17 for the mile and for his troubles went home with the entry money on offer.The fastest run on the night was produced by Trevor Walsh in 6.23 with Midleton based Joan Hough close behind in 6.34 followed by Thomas Murphy and Micheal Callaghan both on 6.42.  Newcomer John Downey also broke the 7 minute barrier with 6.50 to his credit.It was encouraging to see many of our newcomers participating and among these and great credit due to them were Bernadette Murphy (9.38), Tricia Cullinane (7.56), Caroline Lenihan (8.15), Aisling O Brien (8.19) and Grace Downey (8.23).  Regular runners in action on the night included Claire Walsh (7.50), Josie Ui Chuirrin (7.07), Angeline Drennan (7.14), Micheal O Chuirrin (7.36) and Aisling Horgan (7.15).  Well done everybody.The league continues on this Thursday July 23rd and also on the following 2 Thursday nights, July 30th and August 6th.  All are welcome each night.

 MUNSTER MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD

 The Munster Masters Track and Field competition for 2009 will take place this Sunday July 26th in Castleisland Co Kerry.  West Waterford A.C. have a proud record in this competition over the past few years where we have taken the cup home in 2007 when the event was once again held in Castleisland and also in 2008 when the competition was held at Cork I.T.  These victories were secured by the combined efforts of the men and ladies teams who participated in many different events with some athletes taking medals in multiple competitions.

At this stage we would like to thank the athletes who have made themselves available to travel next Sunday.  The first event will be the Mens Hammer which will begin at 11.30.  This will mean an early start for our club members so we will meet at the Park Hotel at 7.45.

The members taking part are:

MENS TEAM

Joe Gough

Harry O Brien

Brendan Moran

Michael Tutty

P.J. Guinan

Thomas Coleman

Gary Mc Cormack

Richie Power

LADIES TEAM

Corinna Walsh

Sandra Brazil White

Terri Gough

Ann Whelan

Jacinta Sheil

Helene Hayes

Ann Dunford

 There will be a short training session this Tuesday evening after the Amber Petroleum League at 7.45 for those taking part in field events with Brother Lennon.  We would like to thank Brother Patrick who always makes himself available to help with our preparation for these events.

 GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES LEADER BOARD

 The league tables for the 2009 Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series are certainly taking shape and over the remaining two races of the series we should see some very interesting battles take place. We have a record entry yet again for the summer series this year resulting in many athletes on the same number of points with only two remaining races. Each athlete must run a minimum of six races and as it stands the majority of those in the series have run 6 or more already while a few have to run the next two to remain in the series. The full league tables will be on display at the upcoming Ballymacarbry race so you can all take a look and see where you are on the tables. This will give you a fair idea where you stand but bear in mind that there may be some people ahead of you but may not have done as many races as you so it’s really only after the final race in Ardmore that it all becomes clear. At the moment Sandis is the current leader and looks set to retain the Michael Ó hÓgáin cup for 2009. Sandis has run 5 races and has won all five so one more race will see him safely through. Raivis Zakis is only one point behind him but he has only four races done so he must do the next two to feature in the series as must Rory Moloney who is currently on 15 points. Sean Stilwell is in 4th place with 5 races completed but if he was to count his best four races he would actually be on 11 points which would move Rory down to 4th so these two will have to battle it out over the next two races. Frank Quinlan of Waterford AC is in 5th place on 31 points and Phillip Harty is 6th on 82 but Phillip has all eight races done so far so when the final race is over Phillip will be in the fortunate position of being able to choose his six best races as opposed to those that have only done 6 and will be limited to that. Phillip will surely move well up the league tables given his current form, his best 4 races at the moment would give him 14 points which would move him up to third place. Kerryman, Johnny O’ Connor is filling the 7th spot on 88 points with 7 races completed giving him a two point advantage over St. Joseph’s athlete Larry Lacey who also has 7 races completed. Larry has finished in the top 20 of all those 7 races which is a fantastic achievement. James Fox is in 9th place but with only 4 races done he will have to pull out all the stops to maintain this. Shane Power is the final athlete in the overall top ten with 104 points and has the minimum 6 races already done. After the top ten overall, prizes will be awarded to the athletes filling every tenth position after that. In 20th place is John Leahy on 177, Trevor Hennessy is in 30th spot with 226, Berlin bound Dermot Ryan is in 40th place on 339, Tom Leahy is in 50th place on 485, Tom Moroney’s 634 points places him 60th on the board, Mark Ciffe is 70th and Pat Morrissey is 80th.

With 4 wins and a second place finishing, Pauline Lambe is a sure winner for the 2009 series as long as she completes one more race. Last year’s winner Corinna Walsh is comfortably in second position on 19 points with all the races completed so far. Her overall total with the 8 races is a lower score than third placed Sylvia Malone who has 5 races done on 22 points. Cait Caulfield must run the next two races to stay in the series and her current score of 28 should see her remain in the top 5 overall. Norma Wall is in 5th on 46 points. The ever improving Susann Dullaghan from Waterford AC is in 10th spot on 77 points. Triona Wall should improve on her 15th position as she has 7 races completed so far and Josie Ui Chuirrin has 185 points which places her in 20th spot. Tricia Quinn is in 25th place but with only 4 races done she faces a battle to stay where she is as in 30th spot is Bernie Prendergast who has all the races done. Caitriona O’ Brien in 365th spot also has all 8 races done which will see her move up the tables after the last race. The best of luck to all in the next two races.

GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE VOUCHERS

As already mentioned, we will be awarding the largest number of vouchers ever in the history of the series and considering that the series started way back in April and the miles run since, we’re all in need of new runners and so the vouchers will be put to god use! Anyway, for those that will have 6 races completed at the end of the series, a €25 voucher will be presented to you all and for those who do all ten races, you will receive a €75 voucher. Those who are still on target to collect the €75 voucher are as follows:

Corinna Walsh, Norma Wall, Ann Dunford, Sharon Duggan, Josie Ui Chuirrin, Bernie Prendergast, Hillary Collins, Claire Walsh, Caitriona O’ Brien, Ann Massey, Phillip Harty, Ciaran Lane, Gary McCormack, Alan Lyons, Garret Byrne, Tommy Falconer, Kenneth O’ Donnell, Yevgeniy Chizhikov, Tom Leahy, Tomas Coleman, Sean McCarthy, Tom Moroney, Mark Cliffe, Anthony Dwyer, Eamon Flavin, Luke Cunningham, Conor Dunne and Pat Morrissey. It’s interesting to note that of these 28 athletes, 25 are from the club. 

13TH ANNUAL DOOCEY’S BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5 MILE ROAD RACE

 The 9th race of the Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series takes place next week on Friday August 31st with a 7.30 pm start. This is the second year that the race takes place on a Friday night as opposed to the traditional Bank Holiday Monday of other years. This race always attracts a great crowd and preparations are well underway for what will be another great race. The entries for the race will be taken at the Community Centre and the prize-giving and refreshments will be provided in Doocey’s Bar. Thanks to Tony Doocey who has kindly sponsored the race again this year, Tony has always been a most generous and supportive sponsor and we’re delighted to be associated with him once again. The entry fee for the race is €8 and the prizes are as follows:

MEN

1st 3 Senior, 1st Junior, 1st 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55, 0/60 and 1st local

Ladies

1st 3 Senior, 1st Junior, 1st 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55 and 1st local

PHILLIP HARTY IN SECOND PLACE AT MORRIS OIL PILTOWN 10K

The third race of the Carrick AC Three Counties Challenge league, the Morris Oil Piltown 10K, was held last Friday night with 166 athletes taking part, an increase on last year’s figure. There were 20 West Waterford athletes among the runners and all performed very well indeed with many running better this year than last year which is always good news. The winner on the night was Sergiu Ciobanu who also won last year. His winning time of 30.33 was 20 seconds faster than his 2008 time. While he may have had a clear victory in the race, Philip Harty also had a clear lead over the rest of the field when he took second place with considerable ease with a time of 32.24,  well over a minute over Dwayne Farrell of Tinryland who finished third with 33.40. Danny Smith of Ballynonty filled the 4th spot with 34.21 and Ryan Murphy of Carrick finished 5th with a time of 34.25. PJ Guinan was the club’s next finisher in 11th position overall and first 0/40, his time of 35.29 was 6 seconds faster than last year. Larry Kennedy of WAC was first 0/50 and Joe Gough was first 0/55. Corinna Walsh was 3rd lady overall with a much faster time than that of 2008, well done Corinna. The final race of this series, the Carraig Hotel Deadman’s 5 will be held on Friday night, August 7 at 7.30pm.

WEST WATERFORD FINISHERS IN MORRIS OIL PILTOWN 10K

Philip Harty                  32.34

PJ Guinan                     35.29

Shane Power                36.45

Joe Kelly                      37.29

Joe Gough                    37.45

Gary McCormack        38.40

Corinna Walsh             38.58

Jim Fleming                  39.43

Tony O’ Mahony          41.37

Hugh Walsh                  41.44

Tom Moroney             42.17

Michael Wade             43.49

Bridget Coffey             46.57

Josie Ui Chuirrin           47.12

Geraldine Heffernan      47.59

Michael McCarthy        49.52

Tom Scanlon                50.20

Philip Cleary                 51.00

Onra Power                 54.40

Terry Gough                 60.56

 

BALLYCOTTON CHURCHTOWN SOUTH 5 MILE ROAD RACE

 

The third race of the Ballycotton summer programme takes place tomorrow night in Churchtown South at 8 pm. The race entry is €5 with entries taken in the local hall. Given that there have been exceptional numbers taking part in the other races; it’s advisable to get there in plenty of time. As it’s just halfway in the series the following are the positions of the club members in the league tables.

Men

18th      Joe Kelly

60th      Richie Kelly

70th      Tony O’ Mahony

117th    Eamon Flavin

188th    Michael McCarthy

Ladies

17th      Josie Ui Chuirrin

18th      Bridget Coffey

49th      Claire Walsh

55th      Onra Power

WEDDING BELLS

Congratulations to club member Paula Nugent on the occasion of her marriage to Joe Collins, health and happiness to you both for the future.

SYMPATHY.

West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to Liam and the extended family and friends of Chris Flynn who passed to her eternal reward last week in Chicago. May she rest in peace.

RUNNING QUOTE.

If I am still standing at the end of the race, hit me with a board and knock me down, because that means I didn’t run hard enough.

19th SEPTEMBER IS THE  LAKESHORE STRIDERS 10K-ONE FOR THE DIARY.

When we had our 10 miler back in February we were delighted to have a very big turn out of runners from the newly formed Lakeshore Striders club in Blessington. Co.Wicklow, There’s a bit of a local connection to be honest as the founding member of that club Niamh Gaffney is –yes you guessed it a sister to our very own Andrea Gaffney. Well to make a long story much shorter the gallant Lakeshore striders are undertaking their very first race The Lakes 10k which is being held around a very scenic part of the country the beautiful Blessington Lakes. we are reliably informed by Hugh and Andrea “who have ran the course” that it is a very  Fast, flat course with superb scenery plus the course has been measured by (Jones Counter).All roads will be closed to traffic for the event. They have applied for and received an AAI permit for the event and are also using Chip timing. A Technical T shirt for runners will be awarded if you have signed up to the race by 1st August with the entry fee set at 28 Euro. after that date you can enter for 18 Euro minus the t shirt., A substantial Goodie Bag is on offer to all, Online entry is now open or an entry form can be downloaded from their club web site www.Lakeshorestriders.com.Please note however that entry is limited to 400 runners and is guaranteed to be a sell out. Our advice is get your entry in and scribble it in the diary it will be well worth the visit, Niamh guarantees it. All profits go to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.

 JAMIE COSTIN RECORDS PERSONAL BEST 5.000 METERS IN REIMS.

 West Waterford’s Jamie Costin is probably in the best shape of his International walking career presently with just eight weeks now to go the The World Championships in Berlin in mid August. Jamie took part in a Grand Prix meet in Reims last Friday evening and recorded a very fast track time of 19.38.07 for the 3.000 meter distance his fastest time ever. Jamie finished 3rd in the race. Speaking to him Sunday evening from his Training camp in France it’s clear that his confidence and more importantly his walking form has never been better, He will of course be tackling his preferred 50k distance in Berlin but he has shown these past few weeks over the shorter distances that all is in readiness for what his legion of fans and club mates at West Waterford hope will be the walk of his life in eight weeks time.

 

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