HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE DRAWS TO AN END FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
The 31st anniversary of the country’s original and longest-running winter league has officially gone down in the history books as the most successful to date. With participation numbers reaching the largest ever recorded over its 11-week duration, the league proved this year that its appeal is stronger than ever. The season kicked off last October with a record entry, and that momentum never wavered, continuing right up until the final round two weeks ago. With the full 11 night programme fulfilled this season we were so lucky on a few occasions weather wise. Reflecting on its humble beginnings, the league started three decades ago with just a handful of runners at the old Waterford Crystal Sports Centre in Kilrush. Few could have imagined then that 31 years later, the event would still be a staple of the winter months, with runners lining the streets of our town. The “secret sauce” behind this enduring success is its unwavering inclusivity. By bringing together elite athletes and fun runners alike, the league has created a unique community atmosphere. A testament to its handicap-based spirit is the incredible fact that the league has never been won by the fastest runner in its 31-year history. To celebrate this milestone, a presentation night was held at the Park Hotel, where a fantastic night was had by all. Kevin Forde of Fordes Daybreak, the league’s generous sponsor, was on hand to present prizes to the winners. The club extends its sincere thanks to Kevin for his unwavering support he has bestowed on our club since taking up his sponsorship many years ago, we sincerely thank Kevin and his wife Orla who has now moved away from this business and we all wish them so much success in whatever will be the next chapter. Kevin and Orla were presented at the prize giving at the Park Hotel and a small gesture of appreciation from the club was bestowed on them both. Success of this scale at the winter league requires immense teamwork and this we have in our club with a brilliant back room team keeping the league ticking over week in week out. Club Chairman Tom Leahy acted as MC for the evening, extending gratitude to the army of helpers and stewards who make the league possible. On the conclusion of the league this year all runners who completed at least 8 nights were presented with a travel mug. While the celebrations have concluded, the analysis is just beginning. In this week’s notes, we will dive into the Long Course league report, with the Short Course analysis to follow next week. Congratulations to all prize-winners, and until next year—keep up the hard work!
JACK MC CARTHY IS 31st WINNER OF THE FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE LONG COURSE.
On the final night of the league we had our traditional mass start with everyone giving it their all in pursuit of a top finish in order to consolidate their position on the league tables or perhaps take a few scalps on the night and push for a divisional win. The weather was on our side big time once again in this regard and we were so fortunate this year that not once did we have to consider postponements or cancelations of any nights.When we allocated the final points on the last round we had a very worthy winner in Jack Mc Carthy 2250 points who weekly was making his way up the leaders table running steadily and consistently week on week. Jack who was running the league for the first time ever was a deserving winner, the 3rd year apprentice electrician took up a bit of running for fitness and now is part of the hall of fame as a winter league overall long course winner.Second place this year went to Eoin Kelly who finished on 2216 points who gave the league is all but just came up short of the top spot, Eoin now has the distinction along with his dad Finbarr of finishing in the runners up spot, as Finbarr filled this place in the year 2000 all of 26 years ago. In third place was and Paul Mc Grath with 2189 points, Paul is regularly in the hunt he finished 5th in last year league having already won the title back in 2015, he finished 5th in last year league. Ciaran Curran took to the league with great gusto and was in touch with the leaders throughout Kieran finished up with 2111.Our top female finisher this year was Céire Barry with 2007 points in 5th place overall, a very determined athlete Céire worked really hard throughout the league and was deserving of a podium finish. This year we presented prizes to all 10 runners who made it into division 1 of the league as we think it is a great achievement to get into the first division and shows the improvements these runners have made over the course of the 11 weeks. So all in all it was another great league and the full lists of our top 10 as well as our other divisional winners are listed below.
FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE 2025-26
LONG ROUTE Prize Winners
1 Jack Mc Carthy 2250
2 Eoin Kelly 2216
3 Paul Mc Grath 2189
4 Ciaran Curran 2111
5 Céire Barry 2007
6 Dermot O Donovan 1969
7 David Donnelly 1957
8 Gillian Whelan 1941
9 Phil Dee 1920
10 Brigid Coffey 1910
Division 2
1 Luke Brennan 1891
2 Tom Longan 1862
3 James Ryan 1835
Division 3
1 Helen Leahy 1807
2 Tara Ni Reachtagain 1741
3 Donal O Dwyer 1733
Division 4
1 Eddie Hynes 1685
2 Jd Dwane 1669
3 Paul Barry 1647
Division 5
1 John Coade 1637
2 Onra Power 1620
3 Bronagh Condon 1537
Division 6
1 Declan Hickey 1532
2 Natalie Shaw Hamilton 1504
3 Jody Hynes 1495
Division 7
1 James Whelan 1469
2 Gerard Reilly 1430
3 Martin Stevenson 1428
Division 8
1 Eamonn Curran 1457
2 Vanessa Ui Chonduin 1443
3 Colm O Connell 1428
Division 9
1 Eoin Stack 1385
2 Fergal Connolly 1347
3 Eoin Walsh 1283
Division 10
1 Ruth Fennell 1371
2 Joey Miller 1336
3 Richard Walsh 1254
Division 11
1 Tony Ferncombe 1293
2 Rachael Phelan 1213
3 Oisin Langan 1191
Division 12
1 Mecca Wall 1060
2 Karen Ryan 1053
3 Ian Walsh 1049
GAVIN AND NIAMH FASTEST MAN AND WOMAN ON THE LONG COURSE LEAGUE.
In this league we give a prize to the fastest man and women on both routes who participate for the mandatory 8 nights and appear on the league tables. On this occasion on the long course Gavin Whelan took the title of fastest man on the long with a superb time of 30.31.Very consistent running by the Colligan man each week of the league. Turning to the ladies long course, our fastest lady was Niamh O’Donovan with a time of 35.12, Niamh really got into the spirit of the league and was a deserving winner of the fastest runner over 8 from the 11 rounds. Well done to Gavin and Niamh.
ELLEN AND YEV TAKE 11 NIGHTS AWARDS.
It is a great achievement to get yourself out not for a few league nights over the winter but for them all is a great achievement, this year we had a huge record number of 56 runners on the long course who completed all 11 nights of the league, a special well done to all of you. Each year we award a male and a female with a prize for achieving the above goal ,so congratulation’s to this year winners on the long course Ellen Ryan and Yev Chizhikov
WINTER LEAGUE LEAGUE STATS.
We had a record 365 signed up for the long course and 227 ran the short route (there were 6 runners who transferred from long to short and they were 16 runners who transferred from short to long throughout the league.Another interesting stat from this year’s league is the amount of finishers each night, for the first 4 nights of the league we broke over 400 runners each night with the first night recording a record of 470 runners (282 long, 188 short), we have records going back to 2011/12 and it’s also the first time that we have broken over 300 runners for every night of the league. This year’s league was so popular we had a total of 4,240 finishers over the 11 weeks, whereas the previous best was 3,923 in 2013/14 when the league was held over 13 weeks. We had an average of 385 runners over the 11 weeks, up from an average of 349 last year.Between all the finishers they managed to run a combined total of just under 18,000 miles over the 11 weeks (17,942.6 to be exact!!)
I also had a look at the male/female participation in the league
Male Female
Short route 24% 76%
Long route 61% 39%
Overall 47% 53%
Great to see the ladies leading the way again this year, Last year they lead the way with 51% of the participants to the males 49%
MUNSTER ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS SET FOR KERRY ON SUNDAY MARCH 1st.
After we hosted very successful Munster road racing championships last March the event moves to An Riocht AC in Kerry this March 1st where we hope to defend some of the medals we took on home soil last time. We hope to have teams in both men’s and Ladies events which are both held over a 4 mile distance. There will be Novice- Senior -Masters all age categories individual top 3.Please text Padraig on 086 1054012 if interested in traveling.
TEAM CATEGORIES.
LADIES
Novice women 4 to score club and 4 to score counties
Senior women 4 to score club 4 to score counties
Ladies is 4 to score club and 4 to score county teams over 35
Ladies is 3 to score club and 4 to score for county teams over 50
MEN
Senior team 4 to score for club 6 to score for county team
Novice men 4 to score for club and 6 to score for county teams
4 men to score on club teams over 35 and 6 to score on county teams
In over 50 men’s team category 4 to score club
And 4 to score county team
Entries will open shortly and the venue to be confirmed over the next few days.
MUNSTER SENIOR AND MASTERS INDOORS.
REWARDING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES.
The Munster indoor track championships were held last bank holiday Monday at the Nenagh arena Tipperary and the club had 4 athletes competing. In the Senior Ladies 3.000 meters walk Kate Veale took gold in a time of 14.24.87.Turning to the Masters competition. Terri Gough over 80 took 3 gold medals on the day starting off with the 60 meters sprint in a time of 20.28,in the weight for distance Terri threw 3.45 for her 2nd gold of the day and in the shot Terri rounded off the day with her 3rd gold medal with a best throw of 5.63.Pat Kennedy was competing in the shot and here took silver in the over 65 category with his best effort of 9.30,Pat later in the day competed in the weight for distance where his best throw was good enough to take the bronze medal. Tina O’Leary took a deserved bonze in the 035 200 meters with a time of 33.30 and in a very competitive 60 meters sprint was just outside the medals in 4th place with a time of 9.31Well done to all 4 athletes on another successful day for the club at championship competition.
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
Now that the dust has settled on the 34th annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10 held recently we have a few stats of interest.
Overall Finishers
Total finished: 2,946
Male: 1,767
Female: 1,177
Men’s Categories
Senior men: 599
Over 40: 332
Over 45: 331
Over 50: 251
Over 55: 148
Over 60: 67
Over 65: 33
Over 70: 8
Over 75: 2
Junior men: 9
Ladies’ Categories
Senior females: 246
Over 35: 147
Over 40: 214
Over 45: 251
Over 50: 172
Over 60: 28
Over 70: 2
Non-Club
No club: 1,427
Highest club numbers participating
West Waterford (host club): 179
St. Finbar’s AC: 76
Clonmel AC: 65
Youghal AC: 59
Togher AC: 55
Middleton AC: 51
Kilkenny City Harriers AC: 49
United Striders AC: 38
Grange Fermoy AC : 37
ANN AND DAVID RUN THE HILLS.
Well done to club members Ann and David Moore who ran a half marathon last Saturday in Drimoleague in Cork.The race had 2500 ft of climbing with both running a time of 2hrs 37 minutes. Well done to ye both.
