FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
PÁRAIG DE BÚRCA TAKES SHORT ROUTE TITLE AT THE FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
This week we take a look back at the short course of our winter league which ended 2 weeks back. Just like the long course which we covered last week the 10 weeks on the short course was keenly competed for in all divisions. One time regular runner, who became a regular winter league senior steward for some years and then decided that maybe I should go back to try this running lark again, which he did with much success cumulating in taking the short course crown for 2024/25. Páraig de Búrca made the comeback of the century and proved to all with dedication to what you do the sky’s the limit. The retired school principal, come author and a more than keen Gardner was a most popular recipient of the short course title this year ,but he had to be very diligent right to the end as a young lady named Cara Conway made him battle all the way right through the 10 weeks of the league ,there was no room for any kind of error as Ciara was always throughout only a whisker away and ready to pounce, but the wise steady Abbbeyside man kept his task in hand nice and steady and finishing on 1002 points with Ciara on 984 at league end. Third and in contention right up to the end also was Megan Daly who finished on 951 points just 32 points off that 2nd placing after a great effort over the winter months by Megan. Our 4th place finisher overall was Ross Mitchell on 904 points and he battled hard the last couple of rounds to hold off Padriag O’Muireassa who came 5th on 899 points only 5 points in it here when you consider after 10 weeks of running only 5 points separated the two lads. Congratulations to all who participated on the short course this year at the winter league we hope you keep up your fitness’s now over the next couple of months, why not join us for the upcoming Mason Financial Colligan league held over 5 weeks and starting on Wednesday April 2nd. See ye on the bridge in Colligan.
The top 5 were:
Division 1
1st Páraig DeBúrca 1002
2nd Cara Conway 984
3rd Megan Daly 951
4th Ross Mitchell 904
5th Padriag O’Muireassa 899
Division 2
1st Elma Drea 867
2nd Michelle Judge 823
Div 3
1st Lorraine Ryan 791
2nd Neasa Ni Mhurchadha 753
Div 4
1st Evelyn Tobin 728
2nd Mary O Brien 686
Div 5
1st Catriona Foley 702
2nd Aisling O Dwyer 664
Div 6
1st Rebecca Horgan 639
2nd Joanne Connell 637
Div 7
1st Ailbhe Looby 625
2nd David Campbell 559
Div 8
1st Nicola Dalton 497
2nd Eilidh Ní Churraoin 486
Div 9
1st Carol Tobin 523
2nd Cliodhna Mc Grath 481
Div 10
1st Olivia Coughlan 412
2nd Mary Power 403
SHORT COURSE FASTEST TIMES RECORDED.
The Fastest Male on the short course this year was Jack Casey with a time of 13.03, and our Fastest Female Evelyn Tobin in a time of 17.25. There were 20 runners that completed all 10 nights of the league which is a great achievement. We had a raffle of prizes for all who completed the 10 night’s and the winners here were Michéal Moynihan,Michele Durand Michelle Guiry.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THE LEAGUE.
The successful 30TH annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league came to an end recently and once again from the outset it has to be said it was one of our most successful in recent years if not the most successful ever. We must of course sincerely thank our sponsor Kevin and Forde of Forde’s Daybreak on the Youghal Road, a better sponsor there isn’t, many thanks Kevin. As all of us involved know it’s a big commitment each and every Wednesday evening covering a total of 10 weeks in all kinds of weather, to be out helping the club in this way for the enjoyment of others, but of course without these people there would be no league as the 30 or so helpers and stewards take up their position at the same time each Wednesday evening making sure that us runners are safe while running the league. A special thanks again must go to Gerry Cantwell who coordinated all the stewards for the duration of the league, Gerry did this most important job diligently each week making sure if someone was unable to come that there was another person organised to fill this slot, well done Gerry on a great job.To another most important crew, those on registrations and finish line duty each week, a big thanks for all your help. Breda Cantwell, Shirley Flynn, Ann Dunford , Declan O’Callaghan, Sharon Duggan, Ray Burke, Jim Fleming, Tom Leahy, Mary Rose Drummy who for many hours were on computer duty, working out times and handicaps and league tables, starting times etc. Thanks to our chairman Tom Leahy for his work this year with the league also and Gerry Cantwell who looked after the league points tables. Our thanks go to Ann Dunford for her on-going work with posting results on the club web site each week and the general administration on the league. To Jamie Mills and John Mc Grath who looked after the safety cones each night and as always did a fine job and to the lads at the Sports Centre who were there every night and provided much needed help and support. For now pencil in the Wednesday November 12th for round 1 of the 31st year of the league, Keep on running see you then.
NEXT LEAGUE IS THE POPULAR MARK MASON FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.
Spring is in the air when we start mentioning our next big club event the 5 week Mark Mason’s Financial Services Colligan running league for beginners and regular runners. Open to all once they are over 16 years of age. This league has something in it for all from the beginner to the seasoned athlete with many distances to choose from along with flat courses and hilly courses. Beginning at the wooden bridge and finishing at the wooden bridge. This is 4.4 km in distance or 2.7 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 3 lap which is 6.5 kms or just over 4 miles; this is 3 laps of the same flat circuit of the wood mentioned above. The final option 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. Entry will be online in due course. The league will start on Wednesday April 2nd and continue for five more Wednesday evenings April 09th,16th, 23rd and 30th .Mass start each evening at 6.30 pm.
CONVINCING WIN FOR EVAN FITZGERALD IN WEXFORD.
The Enniscorthy 10k was held last Sunday morning in good conditions with a field of 260 competing. West Waterford’s Evan Fitzgerald once again showed his dominance over the shorter distances on the roads at present when clocking a time of 31.08 for a convincing win over Kevin Dooney Raheny Shamrocks AC 33.04 and Dermot Gorman Carrick On Suir AC was 3rd with a time of 33.08.The Ladies winner was Ciara Wilson DMP AC in 35.02.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and fields of Maura O’Donnell – O’Rourke, Ballygallane Upper, Lismore, who passed to her eternal reward recently, may she rest in peace.
