Senior News, 16 February 2020

32^ND ANNUAL MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SERIES.

 18th ANNUAL O’REILLY BUTCHERS KILMACTHOMAS 4 IN AID OF TIDY TOWNS.

The 4^th and final race in the Michael Roche carpets race series took place last Sunday when we paid our annual visit to Kilmacthomas for the O Reilly family butcher’s 4 mile race. Proceeds from the event this year were donated to the local group Kilmacthomas tidy towns committee who are group in the area set up to look after the upkeep and beautification of Kilmacthomas and surrounding areas. The weather didn’t help any sports events last weekend and our 4 mile was no different with numbers participating down a lot on the previous years, however the race went ahead and our thanks to all who came along and supported the event on the day.The race was number 4, the final race in the Michael Roche carpets series and we had 121 starters who braved the elements, plenty high winds and showers were our lot.We must thank our sponsors of the race O’ Reilly Traditional Butchers in the town particularly Pa who took on this sponsorship without hesitation two years ago and was very involved in organising the race again this year.  Pa and children Lucy Jane and Conor were on hand also to present all the winners with their prize in the community hall.We wish to thank all who helped with the race on the day, our good friends in the Civil Defence under Nicky Butler who are always on available in Kilmacthomas to support all events, along with the members of the Kilmacthomas tidy towns committee who were out in force, to all other stewards also who did a top class job on the day once again. Special thanks to all the ladies who were at the community hall helping to feed all the runners after the race a mammoth task done without fuss, thank you sincerely. Thanks go to our team from the club who all did a brilliant job on entries, results and timing, and Jamie and John were looking after course management, for all their work once again thanks guys.

Thanks to the Community centre for the use of their fine facility and to the ladies who did the cleaning up after. We hope to see you all again in 2021.

PAT HENNESSEY WINS KILMACTHOMAS 4.

Despite the weather we had a good field of male runners last Sunday for the 4 mile in Kilmacthomas. From the starters whistle it was straight into the lead for West Waterford’s man of the moment Pat Hennessey and he clipped through the first mile in a blistering time of 4.43, it was fairly safe to say that even at this stage the first mile of the 4 mile race it was set and match as Pat already had 15 seconds on the chasing group. Pat eased off the pedal a little on the slight incline for mile two knowing of course at this stage that he was sure of victory he passed that second mile in 10.10, on the greenway section towards the finish line at the viaduct he passed the 3^rd mile in 15.05 well clear of the field. Pat went on run another 5.05 mile for his 4^th and broke the tape with the clock reading 20.10, great running in the windy conditions for the Lismore native. Two more West Waterford ac athletes were battling it out for the runners up spot and Raivis Zakis was to hold off his club team mate the flying Anthony Flynn  for that spot crossing the finish line in 21.33 which moved Raivis up one place from his 3^rd placing in 2019 and Anthony will be well pleased with his 3^rd place in a great time of 21.55.Local man Niall Barry West Waterford AC took the first over 40 prize in 25.19. Martin Monaghan Sliabh Buide Rovers AC ran a time of 23.33 to take the over 45 section while Gerard Reilly West Waterford AC had a brilliant run to claim the over 50’s in a time of 25.36, Ray Hahesy West Waterford won the over 55 as he did last year Ray took the win in his in 26.01 and Craig O’Brien Ferrybank AC took the junior prize with a time of 22.48 Well done to all winners.

MENS WINNERS

 Kilmacthomas 4 Mile Road Race

1st Pat Hennessey West Waterford A.C. 20.10

2nd Raivis Zakis West Waterford A.C. 21.33

3rd Anthony Flynn West Waterford A.C. 21.55

1st O/40 Niall Barry West Waterford A.C. 25.19

1st O/45 Martin Monaghan Sliabh Buide Rovers A.C. 23.33

1st O/50 Gerard Reilly West Waterford A.C. 25.36

1st O/55 Ray Hahesy West Waterford A.C. 26.01

Junior Craig O’Brien Ferrybank A.C.24.48

MARY MOLLOY TAKES LADIES VICTORY.

There was a deserving victory last Sunday for regular supporter of all our events over many years Mary Molloy Carrick On Suir AC when she took the ladies title for 2020 in a time of 26.12. Mary has in the past been on the winner’s rostrum in many of the clubs organised races spanning many years and she is running as well as ever presently. The second lady home last Sunday was from Saturday road runners group Naomi Doonan who ran a time of 26.39,Naomi was well cler of the 3^rd placed lady Julie Kenneally Youghal AC 27.03. Nuala Hogan West Waterford AC took the over 35 prize in a time of 33.30 and the over 40 section was won by Jill Stafford Saturday road runners in 32.43, The over 45’s went to Catriona Kiely West Waterford AC in 32.36 and the over 50 category went to another Waterford AC athlete Mairead Flynn in a time of 43.12 in a time of 30.36.Well done to all the ladies that took part and to all those that won their respective categories.

Ladies

1st Mary Molloy Carrick On Suir A.C. 26.12

2nd Naomi Doonan Saturday Road Runners 26.39

3rd Julie Kenneally Youghal A.C. 27.03

1st O/35 Nuala Hogan West Waterford A.C. 33.30

1st O/40 Jill Stafford Saturday Road Runners 32.43

1st O/45 Catriona Kiely West Waterford A.C. 32.36

1st O/50 Mairead Flynn West Waterford A.C. 43.12

WEST WATERFORD AC TO HOST MUNSTER ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

On behalf of the county board West Waterford AC will host the Munster Novice, senior and master’s road racing championships for 2020.The club last hosted this event in 2015 using a very fast course out in the Brickey Valley with most of the annual Brickey 5k course included. The championships distance for both men and women is 4 miles and there will be two separated races for the men’s and women’s events on the day which has a staring time of 12 noon. We will be using the same course as last time and race HQ will be the Brickey GAA pavilion by kind permission. The club will have teams participating in all categories on the day and we are currently putting together the various teams. We have had a very positive response so far from our members so please come along and represent your club in this very important Munster event by texting James 086 8184762. Please note you have to be a member for 2020 before we can register your name on the Munster system, so if you’re running the championships please forward your membership ASAP.

NEXT LEAGUE IS THE POPULAR MARK MASON FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.

The club’s next big local event is the 5 week Mark Mason’s Financial Services Colligan running league for beginners and regular runners and all are welcome once they are over 16 years of age. Our thanks to Mark and the Mason family for their kind sponsorship of the league once again this year. We would especially encourage newcomers to come along and join in this league in Colligan wood. For the complete beginner there is the option of doing two laps of the wood , beginning at the wooden bridge and finishing at the wooden bridge. This is 4km in distance or 2.5 miles so it might suit all those that ran the short route over the winter league plus this route is more or less completely on the flat. Another option is to take part in the 5-mile circuit; this is 3 and a half laps of the same flat circuit of the wood mentioned above. The final option and the main event is the 5 mile hill route which is one lap of the wood for starters and then up the first hill and down the hill and then across the road for the second hill and finishing in by the wood at the bridge. The entry fee for all runners is €2 each night. The overall winner of the league will receive the Veale family perpetual shield. The league will start on Wednesday March 25th and continue for five Wednesday evenings April 1st,8th, 15th and 22nd .Mass start each evening at 6.30 pm.

WEST WATERFORD AC ATHLETES IN ACTION AT ARMAGH INTERNATIONAL ROAD RACE.

At the top class Armagh International road race last Thursday two West Waterford athletes mixed it with the best over 3 and 5k.Micheál Power ran a blinder in the 5k event with a stacked field of athletes Micheál crossed the finish line in 13.59 for 21st place a super run to break 14 minutes for the distance. Another top class field toed the line over 3k where Pat Hennessey ran a terrific 8.51, well inside the 9 minutes for Pat who finished in 14th place.

Well done to both lads on great performances.

THE GOUGH’S BRING HOME THE MEDALS AT MUNSTER MASTERS INDOORS.

The Munster indoors was held last Sunday in Nenagh and the club was represented by the Gough’s, Terri and Joe. Terri Gough brought home 4 gold’s in the ladies over 75 category starting off her day with the Shot throwing a distance of 6.78 she also added gold’s over 400 meters in a time of 2.11.02 and the 60 meters in 14.53 and her 4th gold of the day was over 200 in 55.32.Joe was also unstoppable in the over 65 category with another 3 gold’s and the added bonus of 3 champion best performances in his age category starting off the day with the Long Jump with a leap of 4.32 he followed on with the 1.500 Meters in a time of 5.07.09 and finished off hid gold medal sequence and best performers in the 800 Meters with a time of 2.28.Well done to Terri and Joe for competing keeping the Munster Masters indoor tradition alive and well in the club.

FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.

TOUGH CONDITIONS LAST WEEK.

The penultimate night of the Fordes Daybreak winter league brought us a very wet night for round 11 but you the brave runners didn’t deter and a good turnout was witnessed for both long and short courses. A word also for our great team of stewards and finish line personal, it was one of those occasion you probably were better off running than stewarding but they never leave us down no matter the weather, thank you one and all. It wasn’t a night for fast times last week with the conditions but it was a very important night for those battling for divisional honours and they were giving it their all. With one round remaining it’s all up for grabs in many divisions and indeed the overall title winner of the famed winter league is still not a cert as many are still in the hunt going into our final mass start round .First home last week was Vincent Tutty in a time of 44.18 and 2^nd Aoife Manning 45.47 our 3^rd finisher in the rain last week Andy Hickey 49.02. Tonight, 19^th February is the last night of the league and t shirts will be given out to anyone who ran the required number of night’s, so before the league starts please come along early to collect your t shirt.

DIVISION LEADERS ROUND 11.

Division 2.

Division 3.

Division 4.

Division 5.

Division 6.

Division 7.

Division 8.

Division 9.

Division 10.

MASS START AT FINAL ROUND OF SHORT COURSE.

After the last few nice evenings for the league, it was blustery and wet as our runners gathered at Dungarvan Sports Centre for the penultimate night of Fordes Daybreak Winter League. Once again a great crowd of 55 runners gathered in before heading off on the 2.4 mile route. This section of the league has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.4 miles in total. Tonight (19th February) is the last night in the 2019/2020 league with the Presentation night taking place on 28th February in Minnies. Remember registration is from 6.30 in Dungarvan Sports Centre with a Mass start at 6.50 meaning all the runners head off together.Even in the far from ideal conditions, some great times were recorded. First on the night was Aintanxe Monzan in 17.56. Aintanxe was followed by Edna Roche in 20.35 and Mary Power in 26.09. Next was Cyril Flavin in 19.03 followed by Marie Aherne in 19.42 . Many other excellent times were recorded –  Kealan Hayes ran 25.20, Elaine

Curran 22.00, Jimmy Beresford 20.34, Ita Mason 20.35, Mary Hogan 26.10 and Denise Conway 19.30.Fastest time on the night was recorded by Kyle Walsh in an excellent 14.19. Fastest lady was once again Linda Foley in 16.23.There is a Winter League T-Shirt as a bonus for anyone that runs 8 nights out of 12 in the league. Tonight, 19^th February is the last night of the league and t shirts will be given out to anyone who ran the required number of night before the league so  please come along early to collect your t shirt.Also thanks to all out Stewards out on the course and our crew in the hall and at the Finish Line who braved the elements to keep all the runners safe.With just one week left, Kim Daly is still holding a 44 point lead on 1098 pts. Caroline O’Brien has closed the gap by 4 to sit in 2nd on 1054. Linda Foley is just 10 pts behind in 3rd with Ita Mason 4th and Cait Verling lying in 5th. With just 1 weeks to go, there’s still a lot to play for. Remember tonight, 19th February, is the last night of the league and will be a mass start at 6.50 pm . The Prize Night will take place in Minnies on 28th February

Division 1

1. Kim Daly                         1098
2. Caroline O’Brien               1054
3. Linda Foley                         1044
4. Ita Mason                          1041
5. Cait Verling                       1021
6. Liam O’Donnell                  1012
7. Conor O’Neill                     1001
8. Eileen Campbell                995
9. Barbara Duff                      977
10. Natasha Dee                       952
11. Darren Mulcahy                870
12. Denise Conway                 756

Division Leaders

Division 2             Karen Hallahan   976

Division 3             Kealan Hayes       911

Division 4             Elaine Curran       872

Division 5             Pascal Proctor     799

Joe Grant              799

Division 6             Marie Aherne       819

Division 7             Mary Power          762

WINTER LEAGUE MASS START.

As is tradition at on the final night each year of the Fordes Daybreak winter league will be a mass start for both the short and long course events. The short course will start at 6.50 pm and the long course will get under way at 6.55pm.Best of luck to all for the final night as we wait with bated breath to see who will lift the two cups this year.

WINTER LEAGUE PRESENTATION AND SOCIAL NIGHT OUT.

All are invited along to Minnies Bar Abbeyside on Friday night February 28^th at 8.30 pm for the presentation and social evening to celebrate the finish of the winter league, this always is a great night and one not to be missed,you worked hard throughout what was a tough winter for running so you deserve a good  night out, see you in Minnies.

RUNNING QUOTE.

“Running is a thing worth doing not because of the future rewards it bestows, but because of how it feeds our bodies and minds and souls in the present”