PAT HENNESSEY IS MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPION.
A huge congratulations to West Waterford club member Pat Hennessey on a huge achievement today when he took gold in the Munster Intermediate cross country championships held in Two mile Borris Co. Tipperary. It’s big story for the Lismore native who was not alone running his first ever Munster cross race but his first cross country race at this level as he only ever competed in our own open cross country race in October last this being his only other outing.
The talented Pat only the past few months has been giving all his energies to running as he is also an excellent hurler with club Lismore taking the race today our hard from the gun he came home on his own clear of the field with John Kinsella Bilboa A.C. Limerick taking silver and Michael Harrington Durrus A.C. Cork in bronze position.Pat was the recent winner of the Greenway half marathon in September also and for sure we can expect in 2020 to hear much more of this man, well done Pat.
26th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
SUPER PERFORMANCES ON A GREAT NIGHT FOR LONG COURSE RUNNERS.
After cancelling the league the previous week due to weather conditions last Wednesday couldn’t have been better for the huge field in round 3 on the long course of the Fordes Daybreak winter league.It was indeed another big turnout of runners and it was plain to see by the times now being recorded on week 3 that the regular league runners are defiantly starting to up the ante with some having knocked off minutes from the first outing at the league 3 weeks ago. Sometimes it’s hard to fathom out where all the runners come from as last week we registered another 27 runners who were running the long course for the very first time. Patrick Veale was one such runner who was running his first night of the league and he few around crossing the finish line first in a time of 33.45 and he was followed in by our first lady home and also running the league for the first time this year Natalie Sheehan just a second over the 35 minute marker with a time of 35.01. Our 3rd finisher last week recording a time of 35.16 Brendan Mooney and 4th past the post was Catherine Henley who again was having her first ever outing at the winter league and ran a super time of 37.22. Gareth Pope was 5th home 38.08 and 6th place was filled by another female in Niamh O’Donovan 38.36 making it 3 male and 3 female runners completing the top six placing’s.
There was also some fine running last week also from Elaine Carroll and Tanya Kirwan who are very close to breaking the 50 minute mark with time of 50.15 and 50.16 respectively. Likewise Geraldine Power was just 2 seconds off breaking the 55 minute mark. David McNally was well under the 40 minutes last week with a posting of 39.42 and Mary Cahill smashed the 50 minute mark with a time of 49.16.We have 3 nights completed but remember we still have another 3 nights to go before Christmas so if you think this might be for you why not turn up any Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre and give it a try, you will be glad you did. Well done to all who ran the 5.2 miles and remember keep up your running over the next few weeks, clock starts at 6.50 pm sharp each Wednesday so check out your starting time which are posted up on our club face book page the day before. Just a quick reminder to all our runners to be careful out on the course and obey the stewards at all times. REMEMBER THAT THE ROADS ARE NOT CLOSED SO BE CAREFUL OF TRAFFIC. Please obey our stewards and road markings at all time there all there for your safety, make sure to bring along your high vis as this must be worn. Also the rules of the league prohibit the wearing of watches and wearing any type of ear piece. Anyone not wearing high vis or that is caught wearing a watch or ear piece they won’t be included in the results. It’s for you own safety. Best of luck to all tonight and why not bring as friend along
ANOTHER BIG TURNOUT ON SHORT COURSE LEAGUE.
After the previous weeks cancelation due to bad weather, it was great to be back in action again for Fordes Daybreak Winter League. Once again a great crowd of over 100 runners gathered in Dungarvan Sports Centre before heading out on the 2.4 mile run. Included in this number were a good few newcomers as well as those that ran the previous weeks. It was great to see so many new runners that were trying out the league for the very first time as well as many league regulars. This section of the league specifically has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.4 miles in total. After registering make sure to check your start time on the sheets posted on the wall.First back on the night was Jamie Organ who ran round in an excellent 12.58. Next was Kyle Walsh in 17.30 followed by Mark Curran in 17.47. Pa Reilly finished in 22.52 with Fergus Kett and Lauren Walsh Kett in 23.33. Others to record good times on the night included Maria O’Gorman (24.37), Kieran Coleman (16.55), Kim Daly (21.44), Shirley Walsh (27.08), Cait Verling (20.04), Stephen Lonergan (23.06), Marie Casey (20.16), Gillian King (19.54), Conor Mulhall (25.21) and Tom Scanlan (24.56).Well done to all who took part, and remember newcomers are always welcome. Just come along to Dungarvan Sports centre on Wednesday Night at 6.30 to register. Just a few reminders for next week –
No Watches are allowed, anyone caught wearing a watch won’t be included in the results.
Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners. This is for your own safety and safety of our other runners as well as to assist the stewards. Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew in the hall and at the finish line.
THANKS.
The winter league is a big operation and wouldn’t be possible without the goodwill and support of so many that give of their time so willingly each week. Our sincere thanks go to our team of stewards who week after week in all sorts of weather are out on the course to ensure the safety of all the runners. Thanks also to the crew that put out the bollards and look after the parking and the finishing tunnel. Thanks also to the other crew that look after registration and the times and the finishing tunnel, as usual a great job done by you all. Thanks also to our overall main sponsor Kevin Forde of Forde’s Daybreak.
THE “HAIR RAISING” CHARITY NIGHT AT WINTER LEAGUE ON NEXT WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH.
This year’s chosen charity will take place next Wednesday night 11th December for The hair raising charity event and two charities will benefit the local St. John’s Special School and post heart bypass rehabilitation fund. This charity drive was undertaken this year by former runners Michael Tutty and Tony Ryan who both have grown their hair and Tony his beard also since January 1st 2019, the big shave is happening this week also.As you know both Causes are well wordy of our support so we ask runners of the league to be as generous as possible tonight and THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
ST.STEPHENS DAY JOLLY JAUNT IN AID OF KIERAN POWER MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BENEFIT.
This years St. Stephen’s Day Jolly Jaunt will be in aid of the Kieran Power Multiple Sclerosis benefit.We’re delighted to announce along with our event partners Dungarvan GAA club that plans are at an advanced stage for this year’s St Stephens day annual ‘’Run and Walk ‘’ . The event will take place from the Dungarvan Gaa club grounds, starting at 11am on St. Stephen’s morning and refreshments will be served afterwards in the club house. There are two courses available to post Christmas dinner exercise enthusiasts, 2 miles and 5 miles and these are not races but participation events.As we said year’s event will be for the Kieran Power Multiple Sclerosis benefit. During his playing days Kieran was one of the best footballers ever to come out of Waterford. He played with a number of clubs such as John Mitchell’s, Clonea, in hurling, Touraneena, Fews as well as Waterford at inter County level and with the Tyrone and Waterford teams during his years in New York. We again look forward to the huge support and the generosity from everyone this venture gets each year.For now pencil in St. Stephen’s Day, December 26th.
CIARA MAGEEAN CROWNED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.
Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) was named as the Athlete of the Year at the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards which took place in Dublin last Thursday.Mageean took top honours after her 10th place finish at the World Athletics Championships in a world class time of 4:00.15. She also won Track and Field Athlete of the year.Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s Dundalk) was named U20 Athlete of year after winning silver in the heptathlon at the European Athletics U20 Championships with a score 0f 6,093 points which was also a national senior record. She fended off a quality category that included European medallists Sarah Healy and Daragh McElhinney (both UCD).Sonia O’Sullivan was a very popular inductee into the Hall of Fame for 2019. She was the dominant figure in women’s athletics in the world in the 90s with a sporting C.V. to match or better any Irish sportsperson.While the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards is a celebration of the many successes of our international and national athletes, it also commemorates the association’s exceptional volunteer base. Nick Davis was named as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient – the pinnacle volunteer award while Bernie Dunne won the Outstanding Official of the Year.Jim Aughney was the recipient of the Special Recognition Award for his services to the sport as race director of the Dublin marathon. Sean Egan (Donore Harriers) received the award for services to coaching. Waterford did get Awards with Olympian of 1984 Patricia Walsh Waterford AC getting a Special Recognition Award. In the Olympics of 1984 Patricia became the first Irish female to represent Ireland in a throwing event and missed out by one place to make the final finishing 9th .She set an Irish discus record in 1984 that still stands and won 9 All Ireland Discus ,two shot putt and one Javelin title.Brid Golden of Ferrybank got a European Athletics Leadership Award for her Coaching Ability that saw many of the athletes she coached excel at International level.Brid herself won 21 Irish Senior titles in her career 14 in the Heptathlon.Congratulations to Patricia and Brid both were terrific athletes and an example and inspiration to all.
Award Winners
Hall of Fame: Sonia O’Sullivan
Lifetime Services to Athletics: Nick Davis
Athlete of the Year: Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn)
Endurance Athlete of the Year: Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley)
U20 Athlete of the Year: Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s Dundalk)
U23 Athlete of the Year: Eilish Flanagan (Carmen Runners)
Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn)
Performance Club of the Year: Raheny Shamrock
Services to Coaching: Sean Egan
Official of the Year: Bernie Dunne
Inspirational Performance of the Year on Irish Soil: Ciara Neville (Emerald)
Development Club of the Year: Carrick Aces
Mountain Runner of the Year: Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers)
Master Athlete of the Year: Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock)
Ultra-Athlete of the Year: Caitriona Jennings (Letterkenny)
Schools Athlete of the Year: Efrem Gidey (Le Cheile Tyrellstown/Clonliffe Harriers)
University Athlete of the Year: Marcus Lawler (IT Carlow/SLOT)
Special Recognition Award: Jim Aughney (Dublin marathon), Patricia Walsh, Marita Walton
26th ANNUAL MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SERIES.
The club’s 26th annual Michael Roche carpets series is well and truly under way with the first of 4 races done and dusted the Brickey 4 miler and race number 2 the recent Turkey Trot completed. The entry fee to the series is only 2 euro and it is still open for entries. The series will continue after the festive season with the Kiely Monumental Colligan cup on Sunday January 19th .Race 4 will be the Kilmacthomas 4 on Sunday 16th February,this will be the final race in this series. Runners will have to complete3 of the 4 races in the series to figure among the tables
January 19th 32nd annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup 5 mile,
February 24th 18th O Reilly Butchers annual Kilmacthomas 4 mile,
CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2020.
The club membership for 2020 is now open and can now be paid to club registrar Gerry Cantwell. Helvick. Dungarvan. Members can also pay their membership any night at the winter league or at any West Waterford race. We operate the calendar year for membership, so it’s January to December in a given year. The membership stays unchanged at 25 euro. Please note that for you convenience you can also pay your membership online at the clubs web site www.westwaterfordathletics.org
RETURNING TO TRAINING POST MARATHON.
If you are just getting back into your running routine after an Autumn marathon start off on a good footing with some S and C.Run specific S and C continues every Tuesday night for the winter. Over the weeks we cover exercises and drills to help bulletproof your body to withstand the rigours of training and keep injuries at bay. All club members are welcome, just bring along a mat and €3 Build up this winter don’t break down.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The senior club’s 26th annual general meeting will take place on Thursday December 12th at 8.00 pm in Lawlors Hotel Dungarvan.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Donal O’Brien Dromore, Bantry, Co.Cork, beloved father of Karen Ryan and Breffni O’Connor Limerick, niece of Jerry O’Connor who both passed to their eternal reward, may they rest in peace.
RUNNING QUOTE.
Motivation is a skill. It can be learned and practiced