MASON MORTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN SPRING RUNNING LEAGUE.
GREAT TIMES RECORDED IN COLLIGAN WOOD.
It was back to Colligan wood last Wednesday evening for Round 2 of the Mason Mortgages and Financial Services Colligan Spring League on a breezy but mainly dry evening despite a bad weather forecast we did ok. This week we had 55 Runners toe the line with 5 in the 2 lap distance while 4 runners completed the 3 laps and for the tough 5 mile hill route we had 45 athletes leave the wooden bridge. This league will take place for 3 more nights, (Wednesday 13th, 20th and 27th April). You can join in, just come along to the wooden bridge in the beautiful Colligan wood around 6pm and if you need some advice about which course to run just ask.
2 LAPS FLAT.
It was an all Ladies affair over the 2 lap run last week with Rachel Whelan leading the field home in 22.25 with Margaret Whelan 2nd to finish in 25.12, this was 9 seconds faster from week 1 for Margret, hot on her heels Barbara Duff finished the 2 flat in 25.49 another great improvement from week 1 for Barbara as she ran 26.41 the previous week and Niamh Fennell clocked 27.19 Lorna Murphy was next in 33.25.Well done to all participants in the 2 lap league and keep up the efforts for the next 3 weeks.
3 LAPS FLAT
This week we had just 4 taking on the 5 mile flat route and they were led home by Linda Foley in a time of 29.35 which was her first time in the league after 2 weeks to break the 30 minute barrier as she ran a time of 30.45 in week 1. Catherine Mc Intyre next in 39.28 knocking 24 seconds off the previous week, 3rd home was Clodagh Dwyer 40.18 one of the best improvers on week 2 as Clodagh knocked over a minute and a half off her 1st run, with Thelma Caples 4th in 41.55 on her first visit to the league .Well done to the Ladies again here.
5 MILE HILLS
We had an entry of 45 runners taking on the trail run in Colligan this week and first home on the night was same as week 1 Philip Harty in 30.20 knocking 15 seconds off his first week attempt, Philip will be odds on to break the 30 minute mark over the few weeks here.Brian Byrne improved greatly from week 1 when he clocked 33.52 this week and 34.20 the first. It was the same one two three last week with Paul Kennedy running a time of 35.07 in week 2 34.57 was his time for week 1.so well done to our top 3 finishers all with time improvements. On her first night at the league Tara Rhattigan proved very strong around the hills of Colligan clocking a time of 41.01 for 1st lady finisher on the night. Aimee Moloney gave it her all this week finishing 2nd in a time of 42.34 which was a big time improvement form week 1 when she ran 44.14, 3rd Lady home this week was Michelle Horgan 43.05 for another fine run by the Local Lady over the tough Colligan terrain.Well done to all who took on this tough course you all did brilliantly, see you all on the bridge Wednesday same time 6.30.
THANK YOU
Thank you once again this week to our finish line team Ray and Shirley and our stewards Declan and Liam . Of course we are indebted to our loyal band of stewards who stand in each week to help out and keep us safe on the road. We really do appreciate it lads. Finally thanks of course to Mark Mason who each year sponsors this league.
MICHEÁL POWERE NAMED TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK IN USA.
Redshirt junior Michael Power claimed his first career American Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week honors, the conference announced last week. Power is the first Hurricane athlete to claim the honors this outdoor season, and joins Isaac Akers, who achieved the honors during the indoor season on February 1, as the only two to win it this year. Micheál tallied the second-best time in school history in the 5,000-meter run, clocking in at 13:29.57 and fifth place at the Stanford Invitational. His time was only behind Patrick Dever, who tallied a sixth-place finish in the 2021 NCAA Outdoor 5,000-meters at 13:19.85.
ANNE VALLEY 5.
Well done to our club members who took part in the recent Anne Valley 5 mile road race.Pat Fitzgerald had a good run to finish 6th overall in 38.41 with Ray Hahesy winning 1st over 55 and Mick Concannon was 1st in the over 60 catagory.
Pat Fitzgerald 38.41
Ray Hahesy 33.37
Mick Concannon 36.45
Onra Power 42.59
Andrea Gaffney 43.59
Pascal Proctor 48.15
FIONA AND BRIAN COMPLETE MANCHESTER MARATHON.
Well done to club members Brian and Fiona Ormond who completed another Manchester marathon (both their second) recently with Fiona finishing in 4.35 and Brian dipping under the 4 hours with 3.58.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB HOLDS ITS 29th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The club’s AGM was held in The Park Hotel last Thursday evening after a two year spell where we held no AGM because of Covid. There was quite a small turnout of members considering the size of the club membership which is a pity, however those in attendance had a good frank and open conversation on club matters as chairman Tom Leahy opened proceedings thanking all the committee for their work over the past number of years despite not much in the way of races etc we did our best to keep the show on the road while always adhering to the government guidelines all along the way. Tom thanked all our committee for all their hard work in trying times the past number of years, while he also thanked the clubs coaching teams for their ongoing commitment to the various training groups within the club. He went on to thank the committee members stepping down this year Brian Ormond, Trevor Mason, Sharon Duggan ,Shirley Flynn who have all contributed greatly to the club over the years, we are delighted also to report that all four will still be actively involved with our club going forward. Assistant Secretary Shirley Flynn read the minutes of the 2019 AGM which were duly passed. Our secretary Ann Dunford then gave a report on what was a start stop two years for the club but there was some competition both locally and nationally over the 24 month period which Ann covered in her report. Treasurer Sharon Duggan gave a very detailed book of accounts and it sees us in a healthy financial state going forward. We look forward now to yet another year in the life of West Waterford AC, its 28th in 2022.
Tom Leahy (Chairman)
Ann Dunford (Secretary)
Declan O’Callaghan ( Treasurer )
Ray Burke (assistant (Treasurer)
James Veale ( pro )
Liam O’Donnell
Gerry Cantwell
Noel Hogan
Jim Fleming
8th ANNUAL AGLISH FUN RUN/WALK IN AID OF CRUMLIN.
The 8th Annual Aglish Fun Run/Walk is back and will take place on Easter Monday 18th April 2022. Registration from 10.30am on the day and costs €10 / Donation.The popular 5k Walk is also back and this will kick off at 11.30 with the run itself over 5k starting at 11.45. All proceeds to Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin. Numerous Spot Prizes.
GOLD FOR LUCY HOLMES AT NATIONAL VARSITIES.
Club member Lucy Holmes was in winning form last week when she took gold at the national 1500m gold meters at the varsities championships which were held in Carlow. Competing for her college MTU Cork Lucy took her very first title at this level in a time of 4.42.30 which was a great performance in what was very windy conditions during the race.
PAT HENNESSEY 4TH IN NATIONAL 10K WITH A HUGE NEW PB.
Pat Hennessey continues his improvement in the sport when he recorded an excellent 4th at the National 10k road championships held today in the Phoenix Park Dublin, Pat ran a brilliant race to finish 4th and just outside the national medals with a huge new PB recording a time of 31.41. Pat’s previous best was 32.20 so hard work paying off for Pat. Treacy Dungarvan 10 course record holder Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock AC came out on top in a time of 30:49. Mick was closely followed by Craughwell AC ‘s Jamie Fallon 30.57 Rory O’Connor of North Cork AC 31.55 was 3rd. The women’s race was won by Sinead O’Connor of Leevale A.C. took the title in a time of 34:20. Ciara Wilson of DMP A.C.was 2nd in 34.20 with Laura McDonnell of Rathfarnham WSAF A.C. was 3rd in 35.29.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mossie O’Donovan Ballyneety and Abbeyside who passed to his eternal reward, may he rest in peace,.
