ALLROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE.
TOM SCANLON AND CAROLYN BYRNE ARE CROWNED WINTER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR 2008
After fifteen weeks of running, pacing, predicting, wind, rain and battling the elements our very popular winter league finally came to a conclusion and what a conclusion it was!! It’s fair to say that this year’s league was one of our most successful and popular in the history of the leagues and in the end we finally had our winter league champions and the champs for 2008 were Tom Scanlon in the six mile and Carolyn Byrne in the three mile. Two very deserving winners indeed as both showed much enthusiasm and determination for the duration of the league and over the last few weeks in particular showed true spirit and heart to ensure their placing at the top. They were duly crowned over-all winners at our much-awaited prize-giving night in Tig An Ceol last Friday night. The mystery tour itself was an outstanding success with a large crowd in attendance. The first meeting point was Downey’s Bar and from their two busloads headed for the direction of Ring to Tig An Ceol. The food and music were great and the craic was mighty. Tony Ryan got proceedings underway by thanking all those involved in the running of the league over the fifteen weeks. He thanked all the participants, the local papers for their coverage of the winter league and of local athletics in general, the stewards and our league sponsor Pearse Moloney. Our thanks to the staff at Tig An Ceol for providing the food and making sure the night was a huge success. A special word of thanks must go to Finbarr Kelly who was the sole individual responsible for organising the mystery tour. Finbarr organises this trip every year and with each passing year he does it better and better. In fact, he’s already talking about next year’s mystery tour!!
TITANIC EFFORT ENSURES TOM’S TRIUMPH.
A top-drawer performance from Tom on the final night placed him well and truly at the top and he eventually finished up with a grand total of 448 points, a 37-point lead over Liam Kavanagh. As part of Tom’s victory speech he expressed his delight at winning and all at West Waterford were delighted for the popular winner. Going up to accept the cup, Tom was carried shoulder high by his club mates and his name now appears on the winter league shield along with all the previous winners.
Liam Kavanagh had the run of his life and his efforts propelled him from third to second place. Both Liam and Tom are experiencing great running times at present and deservedly so. Alice Fitzgerald fought tooth and nail also and was third placed over all with 504 points. Jason Dee was fourth overall with 520 points. Jason’s terrific run two weeks ago placed him well up at the top and it looks like there’s plenty more
Great performances left in Jason. Although Jason was in division two, his overall scoring meant he was still in the top five. Fifth place went to Darren Healy on a score of 575 points. Darren had been leading for a number of weeks both before and after Christmas and always gave it best week in and week out and he will be well pleased with his overall finishing position.
It was fairly close in some of the divisions going in to final night and the conditions were such that yet again there were personal bests in abundance.
Last year’s 6-mile winner of the league Michael Dunford was on a winning streak again this year as he was the winner of division three. The vastly improving Paul Brunnock won division 4 and also claimed a personal best in the process. Patrick O’ Reilly had a great league and was the deserving winner of division 5. Noel Drohan who managed to run sub 40 on the final night reaped the rewards of his fine run and was the eventual winner of division 6. Cathal Dwane, the club’s most accurate pacer at the moment won division 7 and the club’s road-racing co-ordinator Gerry Cantwell was the overall winner of division 8. Tony Hamilton claimed the honours for division 9. Seeing as his training pals Liam and Paul won a prize, Billy Coleman also upped the pace for the last night and was the winner of division 10. Onra Power was the eventual winner of division 11 and Justin Coonan of division 12. Michael O’ Callaghan was a truly deserving winner of division 13 and Tom Byrne who always gave it 100% will be delighted to have been the winner of division 14. Paddy Power who ran very steady throughout the league was the winner of division 15 and Tom Shanley won division 16. As it was the last night, Anthony Dwyer really and truly gave it his all and had an absolutely super run and finished on a time of just over 38 minutes, this was a personal best for Anthony for this year’s league and for his efforts was the eventual leader of division 17. Carmel Corcoran was another to increase the intensity of the run over the last weeks and it was certainly worth the effort as she won division 18. Aaron Cartlidge was the winner of division 19 and Eamon Flavin followed suit with his brother Cyril to win a prize as well.
There were 20 divisions in total and these all consisted of runners that had participated in ten or more nights.
CAROLINE COMBINES WILL AND DETERMINATION TO CONQUER WINTER LEAGUE
There was never really any danger of Carolyn being toppled from the top spot as she had acquired such a huge lead and had plenty of points to spare going in to the final night. Carolyn maintained this significant lead as a result of her determination and capacity to give it her best shot every night of the league. She was a very deserving winner to say the least and was a true champion. Carolyn was relatively new to the running scene when she began the winter league and within a few short weeks had established herself as a serious contender for the top spot and last Friday’s prize-giving was the culmination of all her efforts. We hope that we will see more of Carolyn now that she certainly knows a thing or two about running and has moved away from the beginners group in to the regulars group. Carolyn has shown that if you make up your mind to do something that it really can be done. She has shown massive improvements in her running times and was a most worthy winner and her name on the winter league shield will be a constant reminder of her winter league triumph in 2008. Carolyn finished with a final score of 410 points, a 53-point lead over Cyril Flavin. Congratulations to Cyril Flavin who moved in to second place as a result of his super efforts over the last few weeks. There will be some celebrations in the Flavin household all week as a result of Cyril coming second overall in the 3-mile and Eamon winning his division in the 6-mile. Cyril ended up with a 17-point lead over Geoff Bullen who also had been in contention for the top spot with a while. Geoff finished with 480 points ahead of Sean Moore who was fourth overall. When you consider the amount of people running during the league and also that it’s a commitment of 15 weeks, to come in the top 5 is a major achievement. Pat O’ Connell is another that joined the ranks of the top five overall and had an overall score of 517. It was close enough between the top five and I’m sure that they are all delighted with their placings. Like the 6 mile, it happened that some of the top 5 came from a division other than the first division. Anita Lyons was the eventual winner of division 4. She has been showing steady improvement since the league started and the training for the ten-mile certainly showed in her running times for the league. Brigid Blackwell, Niamh Budds and Lisa Fleming were the winners of divisions 5,6 and 7 and like Anita found the training for the ten-mile of immense benefit. Yevgeniy Chizhikov who began running the local leagues in the Friary last summer was the winner of division 8 and Geraldine Barry of division 9. Mark Cliffe and Caroline Flynn really had a battle on their hands as it was so close but in the end there was 8 points separating them with Mark claiming the honours. Caroline will be delighted with the fact that on the final night she was the person to improve their time the most and earned minimum points for that. Josie Harty had every right to feel confident of a win on the last night as she too had a big lead and so was a very deserving winner of division 11. Avril Doocey had the experience of the ten-mile training to draw on and was the winner of division 12. Seamus Casey and Anne Ledingham were very close in points but in the end Seamus won by 7 points in division 13. Gillian McNamara won division 14 and Maire Flynn won division 15.
The club would like to take this opportunity to thank all the league participants and we hope that you all enjoyed the league as much as we did and we hope to see you all at our upcoming leagues and races of which there are plenty!!
STEWARDS.
While a lot of preparation and effort goes in to the organisation of an event as big as the winter league, it’s really the stewards that are the backbone of our winter league. Without the loyalty and commitment of our valuable stewards we certainly would not be in a position to hold the league. As with all sporting events, safety is of the utmost importance and we are indebted to the stewards for ensuring the safety of all the runners. It’s a huge commitment to be out in all types of weather for 15 weeks in the winter and yet we have a huge crew of reliable and dependable volunteers who commit themselves to this task every year for which we are very grateful. They give of their time so generously and we really and truly appreciate this. Thanks to each and every one of the stewards in the three-mile and the six-mile.
As well as having stewards on the course, we have an ever-efficient team at the finishing tunnel. Everything is always well under control and there are times when it’s fast and furious but Jacinta, Helene, Sinead, Liam Tony and the little dynamo Bronagh take it all in their stride and have it down to a fine art at this stage. To Denise, Megan and Tracey who take the entries and enter the times, a huge thanks to you all. Thanks also to Ray Burke, Liam Crowe and Gerry Cantwell for looking after the times and the handicaps each week. To our club Web Site expert Andréa Gaffney a big thank you for keeping everything up to date on the ever increasing popular club web site. To Finbarr Kelly for once again putting a great mystery tour night together which finished up in Tig An Ceol our thanks to all the staff for their hospitality on the night. We also thank John McGrath at the Downeys bar where the tour started. To our wonderful sponsor Pearse Moloney of All rounder Sports for his hands on approach this year plus his wife Marian his son Rory and himself took part in the league, The All rounder Sports have sponsored this event since 1994 without their input we wouldn’t be unable to hold the event. Pearse, Marian, Rory and Aisling were present at our mystery tour to present all the winners with their prizes and thanks to them for this. To Conor Norris and Jamie Mills for putting out and collecting the bollards, we really appreciate your efforts in ensuring the smooth running of the league. To Norma Wall for her superb weekly notes on the league. Finally to the staff of the Sports Centre, thanks so much for all your help and support over the past 15 weeks, it was a pleasure to hold the winter league there.
The league might be over for this year and we congratulate the mass of runners who took part we hope they enjoyed running with West Waterford AC and we encourage them now to keep up the good work started. West Waterford Athletic club will be there with you every step of the way. Please note at the end of March we will be starting our Annual Mason Mortgages and Financial services Fit4life Colligan league for the Veale family shield with all levels of runners catered for. Watch our notes for more info here in the coming weeks or click onto www.westwaterfordathletics.org For those interested training group will continue training from the Crystal centre Mon-Wed and Friday evenings at 6.30 Plus the all-important long run is starting to pick up momentum now Sunday morning’s from the Friary College at 9.30 sharp. All are welcome.
RECORD ENTRY AS RAIVIS ZAKIS WINS 5th ANNUAL BAUSCH AND LOMB KILMACTHOMAS “5”.
The Waterford Hospice society was the benefactors from the 5th Annual Bausch and Lomb sponsored Kilmacthomas 5 mile road race, which was held last Sunday. Race director Michael Dee had the call on the new morning starting time of 11 AM which to be honest many were dubious about, However it was indeed a good decision as the field grew for 160 finishers last year to a new record attendance of 192 finishers plus 50 walkers this year, Always listen to a wise man they say.
The weather was also favorable for the event, which brought runners and walkers from all over the southeast to support these years race benefactors Waterford Hospice. The winner on the day was West Waterford’s Raivis Zakis who last year finished third, Raivis went two places better this year when he lead from gun to tape to fill the top position. Three times winner here Sandis Bralitis is still out through a calf injury which has seen him sidelined now for some time, This left the way open for Raivis to take his first Kilmac win and making it two wins in two weeks as the previous Sunday he won the Dunhill Anne Valley 5.Ravis took the race from the off going through the first mile mark in 4.52,his second mile on a slight incline was 5.28 followed by 5.00 then a very fast third mile on the main road section with the wind at his back 4.50.Finishing off a superb solo effort Raivis ran the last mile in 5.17.Good to see Raivis back in form after his recent bout of flu. Youngster Graham Power Ferrybank finishing 2nd in a time of 26.55 with Carrick’s Pat Sullivan finishing 3rd in 27.21 taking the first over 40 Male for the second year in a row. West Waterford’s Declan McGrath who is showing great from of late was third Senior in 27.29. Winning his first ever-junior road racing title young Tadhg O’Cuirrin West Waterford AC covered the 5 miles in 32.45. Larry Kennedy Waterford AC was first over 45 also for the second year in succession with a time of 28.35.Larry Lacey was the victor over 50 and what an athlete this man is finishing 5th overall in a time of 28.01,nice clipping from the two Larry’s .The ever green Mick Neville took over 2 minutes off his over 55 winning time of last year to win again in this category last Sunday his time was 34.09.
The Men’s category winners were over 40 Pat O’Sullivan (Carrick On Suir AC) 27.21 Over 45 Larry Kennedy (Waterford AC) 28.35.Over 50 Larry Lacey (St.Josephs AC) 28.01.and over 55 Mick Neville (Tullamore Harriers AC) 34.09.
DIANE BEHAN LEADS HOME A WEST WATERFORD 1-2-3.
The Ladies race was a real battle between club mates Diane Behan and Corinna Walsh both athletes were capable of wining here last Sunday and they gave us a ding dong battle all the way around the 5 mile circuit but on this occasion Diane who finished 3rd last year in this race, just held off Corinna to take the victory in a time of 30.47 This adds nicely to her win in Dunhill the previous Sunday also, with Corinna just 9 seconds behind in 30.56 two fine performance’s by both girls with only seconds separating them at the line. In third place and for my money one of the performance’s of the day came from Norma Wall who finished third in a time of 31.57.Norma clipped 40 seconds off her best ever 5 mile time of 32.37 which also comes from this course in Kilmac.Brea Cook had the flag flying for our city cousins when taking the over 35 section in good time of 32.36.Anne Whelan West Waterford took her second over 40 win in a row in a fine time of 34.44, (two minutes faster than her winning time of last year.) Eibhlis Ni hAodha won the over 45 category in 32.36 and Waterford’s Ann Fitzgerald the over 50 in 32.27,All very fast category times all-round.
The Ladies category winners were over 35 Brea Cooke (Waterford AC) 32.36.over 40 Anne Whelan (West Waterford AC) 34.44.over 45 Eibhlis Ní hAodha (West Waterford AC) 32.36 and over 50 Ann Fitzgerald Waterford AC 32.27.Many spots were drawn among the non-prizewinners and the walkers. And Claire O’Reilly won the Waterford Crystal special prize.
RACE ORGANISATION.
The Kilmacthomas 5 was once again very generously sponsored by Bausch and Lomb and the designated charity was The Waterford Hospice Society, It was the third race in the Michael Roche Carpets spring series and West Waterford wish to thank and complement the whole organisational team in Kilmacthomas on a job very well done with the entries once again on the increase, Thanks to the Community centre, All those who did a very important job on motor bike duty, The Gardai, Nicky Butler and all in the Civil defence, The many Stewards, Those who looked after the water at the finish, West Waterford race officials, and Kirwans Bar ( not forgetting the sandwiches makers, they were massive as usual ) where the presentation of prizes took place. Finally to Michael and Nicola Dee for their usual behind the scene’s contribution a big thank’s to you both.
26TH ANNUAL EASON DUNGARVAN 10K THIS SUNDAY.
CASH BONUS TO BREAK RECORD.
It’s all systems go in the club presently as we had just crossed the finish line in Kilmacthomas last Sunday when it was up and at them again for this Sundays 26th Annual Eason Dungarvan 10 k road race which gets under way at 2 PM.The club are delighted that Pat Whyte of Eason Dungarvan Shopping Centre will this year again sponsor the event as he did last year for the first time and we thank Pat, Mary and the Whyte family for their association with West Waterford Athletic club as sponsors of this race one of the oldest road races around and a race which Pat himself won some years ago. With the current big numbers participating recently in all our races we expect another huge turn out this Sunday for the final race in the current Michael Roche carpets spring series which this year itself attracted record numbers of participants. An added attraction to this years Dungarvan 10k event made possible through the generous sponsorship provided by our sponsor Pat Whyte will be a cash bonus which will be on offer to athlete who can break any of the eight Eason Dungarvan 10k records listed below. The race headquarters for the day will be at the Dungarvan G.A.A.club pavilion just off the N 25 Crystal roundabout, our thanks to Dungarvan G.A.A.club for the use of their fine facility for the race, race entries will also be taken here, changing and shower facilities will be provided at the pavilion too and teas and sandwiches will be available after the race. The prize presentation will also be held in the pavilion. As already mentioned this race is the final race in the Michael Roche carpets spring series and Michael will be on hand to present the winners of the various divisions with their prizes.
RACE TROPHIES ON OFFER.
The Seamus Power memorial shield will be presented to the overall race winner; the current holder from last year is Sandis Bralitis. A trophy will also be awarded to the first local Lady finisher on Sunday also donated by the Power family in memory of there uncle Mikey Roche, The current holder of this trophy is Sinead Crotty, The friends of West Waterford Dunabbey perpetual trophy will be awarded to the first local master to finish, this trophy was awarded to Michael Dunford last year.
RACE CATEGORIES.
The following are the race categories for Sundays race.
Men’s 1st 3 seniors, 1st Junior, 1st over 40,45,50,55,
Team event, 1st 3 Senior Men’s teams, plus 1st over 40,45,50 men’s team’s with three to score on each team.1st Ladies team.1st 3 West Waterford beginners Men’s and Ladies.
1.Overall individual winner of Men’s and Ladies race can come from any category.
2.Athletes are confined to the category they enter in.
3.Teams consist of 3 athletes.
4.Each team confined to own age category.
5.Plenty of spot prizes will be raffled among non-prize-winners.
6.One prize per athlete applies.
7.Entry fee is 8 Euro
CURRENT DUNGARVAN 10K RACE RECORDS
Senior men: Liam O Brien (East Cork) 29.50 1987
Ladies: Liz Bullen (Dungarvan A.C.) 35.32 1991
Men 0/40: Noel Grace (Clonmel) 30.50 1988
Men 0/45: Myles Mc Hugh (Clonmel) 32.12 1988
Men 0/50: Derry O Driscoll (St.Finbars) 32.55 1988
Ladies 0/35: Mary Sheehan (East Cork) 37.15 1993
Junior men: William Harty (KCK) 31.57 2001
Junior women: Deirdre Travers (West Waterford) 42.19 1996
DUNGARVAN RACE WINNERS 1983- 2007
1983 (1/2 Marathan)
Pat White (Midleton A.C) 68.13
Ann Murphy Dublin City 86.37
1984(10 ml)
Ray Treacy (Leevale) 49.46
Mary Sweeny (Youghal) 63.04
1985(10 ml)
Tony Ryan (Dungarvan) 48.36
Kathleen Connors (Deise) 68.58
1986(10 ml)
Tony Ryan (Dungarvan) 50.05
Kathleen Connors (Deise) 65.55
1987(10k)
Liam O’Brien (East Cork) 29.50
Mary Sweeney (Youghal) 37.29
1988(10k)
Liam O Brien (East Cork) 30.09
Catherine Hennessy (Slaneyside) 37.29
1989 (10K)
Tony Ryan (Dungarvan) 30.56
Liz Bullen (Waterford) 39.21
1990 (10K)
Liam O’Brien (East Cork) 30.49
Liz Bullen (Waterford) 36.06
1991 (10K)
James Sullivan 30.42
Liz Bullen (Dungarvan) 35.32
1992 (10K)
Robert Costelloe (Limerick) 30.36
Brid Murphy (Leevale) 36.36
1993 (10K)
Tommy Moloney (Thurles Crokes) 31.01
Mary Sheehan (East Cork) 37.17
1994 (10K)
Bill Lacey (St. Senans) 31.43
Mary Sheehan (Grange/Fermoy) 36.21
1995 (10K)
John Treacy (Waterford A.C.) 30.48
Mary Sweeney (St. Finbarrs) 37.23
1996 (10K)
Derek Nolan (Clonmel) 32.38
Mary Sweeney (St. Finbarrs) 39.03
1997 (10K)
Daniel Gidumbanda (Tanzania) 30.11
Mary Sheehan (Grange / Fermoy) 36.44
1998 (10K)
Peter Duggan (St. Josephs) 32.32
Maria Murphy (University Limerick) 40.57
1999 (10K)
William Harty (West Waterford) 33.04
Phyllis Flynn (Stragglers) 39.19
2000 (10K)
Peter Duggan (St. Josephs) 33.13
Catriona McGregor (Middleton) 41.55
2001 (10K)
William Harty (KCK) 31.57
Blaithin Hannon (St. Finbarrs) 39.06
2002 (10K)
William Harty (KCK) 31.57
Corinna Walsh (West Waterford) 45.52
2003 (10K)
Mick Kelly (Gowran) 32.52
Corinna Walsh (West Waterford) 41.33
2004 (10K)
Gearoid O’Connor (Rathfarnahm) 32.52
Mary O’Leary (Grange/Fermoy) 38.25
2005 (10K)
Raives Zakis (Ballynonty) 32.28
Jacki Carty (Kilmore) 38.01
2006 (10K)
Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford) 30.55
Jackie Carty (Kilmore) 38.07
2007 (10K)
Sandis Braltits (West Waterford) 31.15
Jackie Carty (Kilmore) 38.26
COMERAGH CRYSTAL WEST WATERFORD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS.
The presentation to our newly sponsored Comeragh Crystal athlete of the year will take place on Sunday after the presentation of the Eason Dungarvan 10k prizes. Raivis Zakis was the clear winner here but also to be presented on the day is our Masters Female and Male awards which are picked by our 3-person sub committee. The winner’s of these prizes only known to the three judges will be announced on Sunday.
MUNSTER ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Munster Road Racing Championship will be held in Ennis on Sunday March 16. There will be a number of male and female teams heading up to represent the club. Gerry Cantwell is in the process of putting the teams together and has asked me to remind you all of the race and to give your name to Gerry if you intend to run. The closing date for entries is quite soon so please give your name to Gerry as soon as you can. The distance for the race is 2 miles for the women and 4 miles for the men.
JOE GOUGH ONCE AGAIN SMASHES THE OVER 55 IRISH 800 METERS.
Just two weeks after setting a new Irish over 55-800 meters indoors record in Lee Valley sports arena London, West Waterford’s Joe Gough was in scintillating form last Sunday at the same venue when smashing his two week old Irish record once again. Joe was in London participating in the British Masters indoors championships last weekend and in the over 55 -800 meters he was to takes his 7th podium position at a British national masters championships and on this occasion gold was his lot, Joe time of 2.10.54 a new Irish age record was well inside his previous best set two weeks previous of 2.11.13.Into the bargain Joe beat both the English and Scottish champions in the final on Sunday afternoon with Scotland’s Derek Leitch finished second and the English champion Keith Shore finished third. This was yet another great day for the Dungarvan native adding to the huge array of titles to his credit over a long athletics career.
RUNNING QUOTE.
If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don’t spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it. Eunice Power.
145 WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES COMPLETE DUNPHY VIVAS HEALTH DUNGARVAN 10.
Now that the dust has settled on one of the most successful events ever organised by the club. The Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10 mile road race, it was interesting to note that a record-breaking tally of 145 registered West Waterford athletes completed the 10 mile run. This is probable the most athletes from one single club ever anywhere in the country to complete a 10 mile race, there are many races around which wouldn’t even have 145 runners in a race never mind have 145 runners from one club. All are to congratulated on yet another first for West Waterford AC.keep up the good work. Waddle on friends.
EMERALD FINANCIAL CLUB ANNUAL.
With just a short time to go now to the launch of our club annual our little photo last week got a few scratching the auld head, Not too many got the date of the photo right in our little teaser in last weeks notes, For those who didn’t know the photo was taken in Colligan wood at the clubs hill run, the year was 1987 and the presentation was the Dwyer family shield presentation to the winning team. Now for this week’s teaser see attached photo. We also include a little athletics archival article, which will appear along with much much more in the upcoming Annual.
Remembering Other Days
‘Thirty Years Ago’ 1978
January 1978 – All Ireland Athletics Overwhelmed By Dunhill Welcome.
The Waterford senior 3 in a row All-Ireland cross country winning team of December 1977 got the reception of a lifetime in Dunhill last week when along with county B.L.E. board officials they were guests of honour at a victory social in the parish hall.
The hosts included Ned Moore, Jim Harney and John Queally with Mick White, the former Dunhill cross-country runner and hurler master of ceremonies for the occasion. Athletes and officials proclaimed it alike as the most enjoyable night of their celebrations since they first won the general O Duffy cup in 1975.
Speakers at the function included the county BLE board chairman Paddy Byrne and team selector Rev.Michael Enright C.C. The ladies catering committee served a sumptuous meal during the evening and another nice gesture was that of Mr. Vincent Byrne, proprietor of “The house of shoes” in Waterford, Dungarvan and Kilkenny who presented each member of the team with a pair of running shoes.
March 25th 1978- Waterford Athlete is Champion of the World
JOHN TREACY, the 20 year old accountancy student from Villierstown, near Cappoquin, stamped his name indelibly as one of the greatest Irish sportsman of all time when he squelched his way through seven and three quarter miles of Glasgow mud to win the World Cross Country Championships at Bellehouston park on Saturday last.
An Irishman immediately hailed Treacy’s sensational victory as the greatest sporting achievement for 22 years – since Ronnie Delaney’s Olympic 1,500 metres victory at Melbourne in 1956. And he is only the second Irishman in 47 years to win the world championship. Clareman Tim Smyth won it in 1931 at the now disused Baldoyle racecourse in Dublin. Before the race few people expected Treacy to finish in the first three. But this ice-cool character thought differently. His frail looking body loaded with bottomless reserves of stamina, Treacy left some of the greatest athletes in the world floundering hopelessly in his wake as he surged like a gladiator to an unforgettable victory.
April 1978 – Jim Sheehan Walks to Victory in Dungarvan
Anyone living in Abbeyside or Dungarvan will by now be familiar with seeing Jim Sheehan doing his training stints in the area. This purpose of it all may be lost on many people but those in walking circles fully appreciate the great efforts Jim puts into improving his performances.
This was never more evident than on Sunday last in Dungarvan when Jim literally walked away from the opposition in the seven miles walk around the streets of the town. In so doing he emphasized in no uncertain fashion how much he has improved and no doubt we have not yet seen him at his best. In this form the day cannot be too far away when JIM will be selected to represent Ireland and so gain the coveted international vest which he richly deserves, then minor placings on Sunday last were filled by John Mackey of St. Joseph’s and Fintan Walsh of Waterford city and these are two well established walkers and Jim Sheehan can be proud to have left them so far behind.
July 1978 – Great Weekend for Dungarvan Athletes
It was a great weekend for a number of athletes from Dungarvan A.C. at a number of venues. On Saturday at the Munster junior track and field championships held at plassey, Limerick, Liam Lannen had a notable treble in the shot, discus and javelin and he shattered the existing record in the shot to show his great potential in field events.
On Sunday in Belfield, Jim Sheehan literally walked it when winning the 10km all Ireland race walking championships by over 90 seconds. He reversed placings with John o’ Leary (Clonliffe hrs) who inflicted one of his rare defeats on Jim the week before. The Dungarvan athlete will have his next outing in Wales where he will be representing Ireland. Meanwhile, in Portlaw on Sunday last, Frank O’Brien gained a trip to Butlins in September when he won the u/14 shot in the Waterford finals of the community games and he will be the one to beat in the all Ireland finals.
