RACE 5 OF GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES
THE OLD STILL BAR CLASHMORE 5 BRINGS OUT RECORD ENTRY.
The 8th annual Clashmore 5 mile road race was held last Friday evening with a record entry of 206 taking part. This number was a big increase from the figure of 177 of 2008. This is a just reward for the commitment and work put into the race by the people of Clashmore who were out early on Friday evening to make sure that everything was in place for another top class race. Our sincere thanks to Edmund Ledingham and family and friends who left no stone unturned in the organisation of this race. There were plenty of stewards along the route who provided encouragement and support to the many runners on the route and also in the village to ensure the smooth running of the race. From 7 o’clock on it was clear that a record entry would be attained judging by the traffic entering the village. The location of the village itself attracts runners from all over the place and so we had familiar and not so familiar faces at the race. Race entries were taken at the Old Still Bar, courtesy of race sponsor Joe Salmon. We were delighted to have Joe on board once again as sponsor of this popular race and we thank him for providing the use of his facilities and also for being present to present the prizes along with his son James. Joe also ran the race in a very credible 35.22, well done Joe. It was all hands on deck at the post-race event when Joe and his staff provided the runners with much needed refreshments and all athletes were well fed and looked after. It is all these aspects that made the race the success that it was and all involved are to be applauded and commended for a job well done. We would like to extend a big thank you to the Clashmore GAA club for providing the use of their facilities for changing and showers after the race, many thanks, it was much appreciated. Our entry team of Megan, Colleen, Liam, Bernie, James and Gerry had everything in control and the race itself started as planned at 8 p.m. Thanks to Tony who got the race underway with a minutes silence in respect of the recent passing of Catherine Moore and Alice Durand. Thanks also to Jamie, Conor and Michael who between them performed a multitude of tasks, which saw the race, go off without a hitch. Finally, thanks to Ann Dunford who always provides a huge array of top prizes for the runners in every race. The next race of the series will be held on this Friday night, June 19th at 8 pm with the Mooney’s Bar Rás Na Rinne 6 at which a record entry is expected.
CLEARY WELL CLEAR ON THE NIGHT
The absence of the usual top guns, Sandis, Raivis and Sergiu meant that the race was wide open and could be taken by any number of athletes. From the gun, young Rory Moloney grabbed a commanding lead at the top of the field but was chased by a pack of equally determined and talented athletes such as John Cleary, Phillip Harty and Graham Power. Rory managed to hold onto his lead until half way in the race which as anyone who has run this race before will tell you is when the race begins to get challenging and would test any athlete. Despite the long downhill that is there for over the last mile and a half, all people really talk about is the hill. It is at this stage that the chasing pack began to close the gap on Rory and from here on it was a tough battle all the way to the finishing line as each athlete had the capabilities of claiming first place. John Cleary and Phillip Harty had run this race last year finishing 4th and 5th respectively so both were aware that the tempo had to be upped in order to take the spoils. John Cleary edged ahead at this stage and this was to form the finishing result as try as he might, Phillip was unable to close in on the Ferrybank athlete. John crossed the line in 26.04 with Philip finishing in 26.43. Well done to Rory who clung bravely onto the third spot, finishing in 27.12, ahead of Ferrybank’s Graham Power. It was an ideal night for running with the proof being in the much improved times of all the athletes. Phillip was 42 seconds faster than last year which is a huge improvement and a sure sign of what’s to come in the near future. The club was delighted to have two of its athletes in the top three overall, so well done to all. New entrant to the 0/40 age category, PJ Guinan, claimed the top spot here with a time similar to last year. Noel Curtin of Youghal AC who is running as well as ever won 1st 0/45 in a time of 28.55. Larry Lacey of St. Joseph’s AC, who is a great supporter of our races, was 1st 0/55, finishing with a time of 29.15. Joe Gough seems to be taking no rest after winning two international medals as he once again claimed the prize for 1st 0/55. Ciaran Lane of the host club was a deserving winner of the junior prize, clocking 31.21 for the distance. Once again, West Waterford AC won the men’s team prize on 33 points. The winners this year were Joe Kelly (10th), Andrew Leary (11th) and Martin McCarthy (12th). Well done to all.
Results:
1st John Cleary Ferrybank AC 26.04
2nd Philip Harty WWAC 26.43
3rd Rory Moloney WWAC 27.12
0/40 PJ Guinan WWAC 28.59
0/45 Noel Curtin Youghal AC 28.55
0/50 Larry Lacey St. Joseph’s AC 29.15
0/55 Joe Gough WWAC 30.30
Junior Ciaran Lane WWAC 31.21
EMPHATIC VICTORY FOR PAULINE LAMBE TO CLAIM YET ANOTHER COURSE RECORD
Due to her past performances in the summer series races, Pauline Lambe entered the Clashmore race as the hot favourite and she delivered a top drawer performance, finishing in style and with ease to not only claim first place but she also broke the existing course record. To date, Pauline has taken part in 4 of the 5 races so far in the series and in all four races she has broken the course records, some of which have existed for many a year. While many of us never doubted that she would be the first lady, to break a course record over the hilly Clashmore course would not be an easy task, yet Pauline took it all in her stride and never seemed to struggle or lose composure throughout the 5 miles and she entered the village on the home straight well clear of second placed Corinna Walsh who won this race in 2008. The existing record was set by Kilmore AC athlete Jackie Carthy in 2004 in a time of 30.23 and so Pauline’s remarkable time of 30.07 was well inside the record and it may be some time before any other athlete gets remotely near that time. Pauline finished 17th overall from a field of 206 athletes, which depicts the immense talent she possesses. Pauline was not alone in delivering a top class run, Corinna Walsh also ran superbly to finish second overall. Corinna dominated the series last year and was running at her best form ever or so we thought but this year Corinna is running faster and better than ever and is still a major contender for the series. Corinna won in 2008 in a time of 31.42 and this year covered the same distance in a time of 30.45, great running indeed Corinna. Norma Wall filled the third spot. The battle for the categories produced some fine runs from the relevant athletes and the winners of these came from West Waterford, Waterford AC and Coolquill. Suzanne Dullaghan of WAC recorded a double as she claimed first 0/35 on the night and was victorious in the same category in Touraneena at the 5k. West Waterford’s Ann Dunford who is most successful in her age category added another prize to the many she has already won this year. First 0/45 went to Waterford AC athlete Claire Fowler who had a great run to finish in 37.25. Club-mate Anne Fitzgerald claimed the 0/50 spot and Hillary Collins of Coolquil claimed the 0/55 prize. West Waterford ladies also won the ladies team prize with a total of 33 points. The team consisted of Karen Ryan, Anne Whelan and Josie Ui Chuirrin. Tara Roche was once again in the winner’s enclosure as she was the first junior female on the night, well done.
Results:
1st Pauline Lambe Tullamore AC 30.07
2nd Corinna Walsh WWAC 30.45
3rd Norma Wall WWAC 32.47
0/35 Suzanne Dullaghan WAC 35.08
0/40 Ann Dunford WWAC 35.55
0/45 Claire Fowler WAC 37.25
0/50 Anne Fitzgerald WAC 35.04
0/55 Hilary Collins Coolquil AC 40.00
Junior Tara Roche WWAC 49.17
Team Prize: Karen Ryan (36.38)Anne Whelan (36.40) and Josie Ui Chuirrin (37.42)
17th ANNUAL MOONEY’S PUB RÁS NA RINNE ON THIS FRIDAY JUNE 19TH.
Role on Role on ,thats the Ger Wyley sports/Nike summer series for 2009.Our feet have hardly left the ground, after a great race in Clashmore last Friday evening with a record attendance its all systems go and the show roles on to An Rinn for the 17 th Annual Mooney’s Pub sponsored Rás Na Rinne 6 miler this Friday evening June 19th Our sincere thank’s once again this year to Mooney’s Bar for their kind sponsorship of the race,The race this year is race number 6 in the series and brings us past the half way mark for 2009,The race starts at 8 PM.Changing facilities and race entry will be at Halla Phobail Na Rinne from 7 PM.with entry fee 8 Euro. The following are the prize categories for the race 1st 3 Senior Men, 1st over 40,45,50,55,and 60,1st Junior, and 1st Local.1st 3 Senior ladies, 1st over 35,40,45,and 50.and 1st three teams with 5 to score using the handicap system for selecting teams. West Waterford club policy as usual regarding prizes, one prize per athlete. There will also be plenty of spots for non prize winners on the night, and of course the winner will be presented with the O’ Droma family perpetual shield and we thank Mary Rose and Seamús for their ongoing association with this great race. The presentation of prizes will take place in Mooney’s Pub after the race and refreshments will also be served to all.
ONE FOR THE DIARY.
A day to note in the diary is race number 7 in the Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series.The Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 on Friday June 26th at 8 PM.
GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES
Entries for the summer series are flowing in at a steady rate and we would like to remind all athletes that the closing date to enter is Friday, June 26 at the Dromana 5mile road race. Ann Dunford is presently drawing up the league tables and keeping track of each athlete’s finishing position. At the minute, some people may appear at the top of the table but this may be because they have only run one or two races. After the Dromana run, there will only be four races left so in order to get the minimum of 6 races in, people will have to run all the remaining races which will help give a clearer picture of the tables. We will have the league tables on display at Ras na Rinne on Friday night and we ask that all athletes check the tables to make sure that your name is there if you have joined the series. If there are any problems, please contact Ann Dunford or Norma Wall to let them know. Thanks.
NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUES ROUND ONE.
The first round of the National Track and Field Leagues were held in CIT, last Sunday. Due to our success at this event over the years West Waterford is in the premier division, which means we are competing with the top clubs from all over the country. While it was an arduous task to get to this level, it requires the same level of commitment and dedication to remain in this division. We had a relatively small number of athletes competing on the day and we were able to compete in ten of the fifteen events that are part of the day’s programme. Each athlete’s finishing position determines the club’s overall score and after day one we finished on 69 points, a good score but we will have to invest the same effort on day two to ensure that we maintain our premier division status. In the 1500 metres Raivis and Sandis took part. As only one athlete from each club can score in each event, Raivis was the guest in the event and Sandis the nominated athlete for the race. It was Raivis however who won the race in a new personal best for the distance in a time of 4.01 and Sandis was third in 4.02. The second athlete was James McCarthy and as he was only a guest in the race, Sandis was deemed the winner and so we had a win for the club. As expected, Jamie Costin claimed another win for the club when he took first in the 3000 metres walk in a fine time of 11.58. Joe Conway also guested in the same race and finished 4th in a time of 15.00. Thomas Houlihan added to the list of first place finishing’s in the pole vault event when he cleared at 3.40 meters. The windy conditions on the day made it quite difficult but Thomas stuck to the job in hand and was delighted to be first. Another member of the Houlihan clan, Liam, claimed second in the 110 metres hurdles and not only that but finished 3rd in the high jump clearing 1.75metres and 4th in the triple jump covering a distance of 12.02 metres. It was a quiet house for the Houlihans last Sunday as sister Lisa was also in action with the Pole Vault as a guest athlete,Lisa was victorious in the event and Zoe Scanlon who was also a guest participant on the day was 3rd in the javelin. Sean Stilwell was 4th in the 3000 metres steeplechase in a time of 10.48. Rory Moloney was a very credible 3rd in the 5000 metres in 16.49. Michael Tutty is back in action once again when he competed in the javelin and was delighted to take 4th place with a throw of 26.15 metres. Joe Conway also took part in the 800 metres and finished with a time of 2.22.
Round two of this event will be held on July 5 and the venue has yet to be decided. As soon as we receive confirmation of the venue we will be in contact with the relevant athletes. Well done and thanks to all the athletes that travelled and competed.
MINNIES FIT4LIFE RUNNING LEAGUE
MARVELLOUS CONDITIONS LEAD TO FAST TIMES
The seventh and penultimate round of the Minnie’s Fit4Life league took place last Tuesday evening once again at the Friary College grounds (by kind permission) with 116 participants. The 8th and final round of this league takes place on Tuesday 16th June once again at 7pm. If you enjoyed this league and found it of benefit to you in your quest for fitness, well done and congratulations to you all. The effort from the runners during this league has been above and beyond our expectations with excellent commitment and dedication shown by everyone. So if you ran one night or all 7 nights to date once again, well done.
Now if you’re wondering where to go from here and how to maintain your newfound fitness let me tell you about the upcoming Amber Petroleum Fit4Life league. This is an 8-week league commencing on Tuesday 30th June. Once again the start time will be 7pm and the venue is the Friary College with 1, 2,3,or 4 laps on offer. This league will be run “Colligan Cup” style with the idea behind this league will be that instead of turning the clock on at zero the clock will instead turn on around 45 minutes and work backwards to zero. So if you normally run the 2 laps in 20 minutes you will wait until the clock works down to 20 minutes and then you begin your run. The idea is to get as close to zero as possible and with no watches allowed the first person to cross the line as the clock hits zero is deemed the winner. The first 3 each night will win prizes so at the end of 8 weeks there will be 24 prize-winners. There will also be tables kept and overall winners also. The idea behind this league is you don’t have to be the fastest runner it’s about getting the timing right. So keep up the good work and keep your fitness going over the months of July and August, so, see you on June 30th.
1 LAP
PASCAL BREAKS THE 8.30 MARK
In week 5 Andrew Burke set a time of 8.25 for the 1 lap league and to be honest I did not think that time would be broken in this league but Pascal Proctor is a tough cookie and last Tuesday evening he set off determined to break the 8.30 minute mark. Well this he did in some style running very strongly, setting a time of 8.24 on the night and taking 1 second off in the process and was he delighted. That man Michael Mc Carthy was once again in second spot in a fine time of 9.08. Just 1 second behind was Paul Gray who up to now has been running in the 2-lap league but on this occasion he swapped over to the 1 lap and ran 9.09. First lady home again this week was Jane O Sullivan (9.31) who last week broke the 10-minute mark and this week she did likewise taking another 31 seconds off. She was followed over the line by Eleanor Howard (9.36) and Caroline Lehihan (9.44) both under the elusive 10-minute mark for the first time. Danielle Lyons (10.41) and Pearl Veale (10.56) both broke the 11-minute mark while Ita Mason (10.52) must be getting tips from Trevor as she was under the 11-minute mark for the second week in a row. Newcomers Kathleen Hurley (12.08), Sinead O Shea (12.09), Timmy Organ (13.00) and Michelle Foley (13.11) took it all in their stride as they ran the 1.2 miles for the first time. Sisters Bernadette Murphy (12.28) and Mary Rose Drummy (14.45) both continue to make great progress in this league as does Breda Veale who will surely target the 13.00 minute barrier next week as she ran exactly that time this week. As always well done to everyone who ran the 1.2 miles and we hope you have enjoyed the experience.
2 LAPS
SHANE IS BACK ON TOP
After his absence in week 6 normal service was resumed in week 7 as Shane Power was back to lead the 2 lappers home and this he did in some style. Shane crossed the line in 13.29 with Philip Harty recording the exact same time in second place. This was Shane’s fastest time for the league so far while next to finish was Liam Kavanagh in a time of 15.42 which was also a p.b. Peter Fitzgerald in only his 4th night is surely proving one to watch as he has already taken his time down to 16.29 while young Scott Lyons followed him home in 18.45. Brigid Coffey was first lady home in 18.50, which saw her break 19 minutes for the first time. Margaret Power (19.48) will be delighted to have broken the 20-minute mark for the first time and she was joined by Marion Troy (19.52) who achieved the same objective. Geraldine Barry (20.12), Christine Mc Carthy and Anna Ballot (20.43) all went under 21 minutes for the first time while Helen O Brien (21.01) and Ann Massey (21.02) will surely achieve this feat next week. They may also be joined by Molly Byrne, (21.17) as she has made great improvements each week. Congratulations also to Sharon Nugent (24.14) for another p.b. And to all 35 runners who took part in the 2-lap league.
3 LAPS
FAST TIMES ALL ROUND
On looking through the times run for the 3 lap league this week it was amazing to see the amount of runners who ran their fastest time of the league so far. In fact of the 21 runners in week seven, 17 had p.b.’s and another, John Behan was running the 3 laps for the first time. John was in fact first home on the night in a time of 20.44, which is by far the fastest time for this distance this year. Declan Mc Grath set the previous best time when he recorded 21.37. In second place on the night was Trevor Hennessy in a very fast 22.38 over 1½ minutes faster than week 6 while league leader Yevgeniy Chizhikov was third in 23.17. From here on the p.b.’s just kept coming, starting with Geraldine Heffernan (26.38) then Noel Mc Kenna (27.15). Linda Bradfield (27.43) took almost 30 seconds off and was followed by George Tutty (27.58) who also broke 28 minutes for the first time. Michael Deegan has made an improvement in his times each night and in week 7 he did not disappoint when he took over a minute off recording 28.27. Conor Blackwell (29.26) and Pearse Moloney (29.44) conquered the 30-minute mark for the first time while John Murray(30.07) will surely achieve this next week and perhaps Catriona O Brien (30.19) will also set her sights on this target also next week.
Onra Power must have had something special for tea as she smashed her previous best by over 1 minute and 40 seconds when she ran 30.31 while Nikki Mc Kenna was not to be outdone as from a previous best of 33.02 she ran 31.25 in week 7. Michelle O Connell (33.45) and Marion Moloney (34 00) both recorded great p.b’s on the night also. Once again well done to everyone who ran the 3.6 miles on the night.
4 LAPS
SEAN STEPS IT UP A GEAR
Over the course of this league Sean Stilwell has recorded some fine times and on Tuesday evening last when everyone around him were recording p.b.’s he did not let the side down setting a very high standard with his fastest time to date for this league of 26.42, 27 seconds faster than his previous best time. 34 runners took on the 4.8 mile circuit last Tuesday and the first 9 home were all under that magic 30 minute mark. Following Sean home for the second week in a row was Rory Moloney who pushed Sean on the night recording 27.16, a full minute faster than his time for week 6. Kevin Kenneally was 3rd home and he broke 28 minutes for the first time recording 27.55. Next home was Des Feeney (28.43) another p.b., by some 12 seconds. Excellent conditions saw some fine times on the night and next to impress was Michael Dunford who ran 29.09 while the trio of Patrick Riordan (29.45), Alan Lyons (29.46) and Kenneth O Donnell (29.50) set their sights on that 30 minutes and all passed with flying colours and they were joined by another of the club’s very talented runners Padraig Healy in 29.51. Tom Leahy (31.37) is also improving each week, as is Tom Moroney (32.49). Mark Cliffe (34.01) will surely break that 34-minute barrier next week while Karen Ryan ‘s training for Berlin is surely kicking in when she ran 35.50. Pat Morrissey (37.02) and Josie Ui Chuirin (37.12) were delighted with their times as they were also their fastest for this league. Thomas Murphy also had reason to be happy as he set a p.b. of 37.45. Timmy Foley who recorded 41.12 in week 6 went on to run 38.32 in week 7 while newcomer to the league Paddy Power ran 39.05 on his first outing and finally Micheal O Chuirrin (39.35) will be delighted to have broken 40 minutes for the first time. So, great running everyone, well done.
FINALLY
Thanks to everyone who ran in week 7, to all helpers and to out Sponsors the O Brien Family of Minnie’s Bar Abbeyside. The night out for this league will take place in Minnie’s on Wednesday night June24 th at 10 p.m.
We always request that as many as possible come to the prize giving, out of respect for our sponsors so make it a date for your diary.
RUNNING QUOTE.
It is a sublime thing to suffer and be strong.
LOCAL INTEREST IN ALL IRELAND SCHOOLS ON T.V.
Our good friend Will Downing of Setanta T.V. informs us that the All Ireland schools Track and Field championships which took place recently in Tullamore are to be shown on the nations screens on June 23,24,and 25 ,I belive that there is plenty of local Interest in the programmes so note the dates in your diary,and its Setanta Ireland is the one you need to be tuned to.
ANOTHER SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM JAMES LEDINGHAM IN BEDFORD.
At the British Miler’s Club grand prix in Watford last Saturday West Waterford’s James Ledinghan was in good form when finishing 2nd in the 800 meters in a very good time of 1.52.57.Well done to the Clashmore Army Officer on his progression over this distance on the track.Men 800m 1 1:52.14 Sam Evans U20 Cannock & Stafford2 1:52.57 James Ledingham Ireland6 1:53.06 Darren McBrearty U20 Letterkenny / Ireland
DAVID MC CARTHY REACHES FINAL OF NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Providence College scholarship student and member of West Waterford AC David McCarthy ran a terrific 3.41.37 a new personal best time of 1.500 meters at the regional’s recently as was recorded in our notes two weeks ago to reach the finals of last Saturday’s NCAA Division 1. 1.500 meters finals, which were held in Fayetteville Arkansas. David was in action on the Thursday night in heat two of three with the top three to qualify and the three fastest losers, It was always going to be a difficult task to reach the finals here against the top, older and more experienced athletes from all over America, but not to be fazed by the task in hand McCarthy’s game plan brought him through to finish 5th in 3.41.71qualifing him in one of those fastest losers slots for Saturdays final, The final was a very tactical race and David came in 12th place with a time of 3.44.55.He will learn much from this experience and indeed it was a huge goal to reach the finals in any case. We look forward to his return home this week for a break and he will be in action at the Cork City Sports on Saturday July 4th .
SYMPATHY.
The club extends its sympathy to the family of the late Alice Durand.Monang,Abbeyside who passed away recently. May she rest in peace.
