FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
LONG COURSE RUNNERS RUN THE SHORT.
Because of a last minute unannounced road closure on the quay our planned long course was scuppered at the last minute when the quay was closed off to us without notice. However in true can do will do winter league spirit the long course runners took on the challenge of the short course on the final round before we had our Christmas break. Conditions were ideal for the 6th round as the runners gathered at Dungarvan Sports Centre for a complete blow out with all 200 runners taking on the short before heading out on the 2.3 mile run. We had to put a quick plan B into action and a very well done to all those who made the night happen, especially our stewards who once again it has to be said came up trumps and guided all runners around in a safe manner.Looking at the oolong course runners who did the short course it was Mark Shalloe who headed them home with a time of 16.15,with Shane Flavin next man home in 17.20 and third was Vincent Tutty in 20.31,Rosie Mansfield in 5th place overall was first Lady finisher in a time of 21.05 followed in 6th place by Maria O Gorman 21.17 with Helen Leahy third in 21.32,Our thanks to the long course runners for keeping the spirit of the league going by running the much shorter distance on the night. Over the short David Mullins lead the pack home with a good time of 16.03, with Helena Costin next finisher with a time of 23.23 and third past the post was Lia Cunningham in 19.20, Michael Coakley was just outside breaking the 20 minutes in 4th place with 20.06 and hot on Michael heels was Marie Ahearne in 20.35 with Carmel Hourigan 27.13 filling 6th place. Well done to all and our thanks to the short course runners for accommodating the long course runners on the final night. A very happy new year to you all.
THERE’S STILL TIME TO JOIN US AT THE WINTER LEAGUE.
The second half of the West Waterford Athletic Club winter league kicks again on Wednesday 4th January at the sports centre, Quanns, Dungarvan at 6.45 pm. A large crowd is expected for the first night of 2023 and we hope that all those of you who have made the New Year resolutions to improve your health and fitness will come on down and join the league. The remaining winter league charge is just 20 euro so get your online entry in today at eventmaster.ie Our motto at the winter league is that it’s never too late, so why not come along and get on your way to a healthier and fitter 2023. If tonight is your first night please come along around 6.30 so that we can issue you with a number and explain the procedure to you. Newcomers are welcome each night of the league and if you can’t make it tonight then come along next week and bring a friend or two with you, the more the merrier! Now that we all have had a break from the league it’s time to get back on track and concentrate on the next five weeks of the league. Even if you haven’t managed to get some training in don’t let that put you off coming tonight, we will all be a little bit sluggish tonight for the first mile or two, just adjust your pace and in no time you will be back to your normal running pace. The starting times will vary each week in order to make each run as interesting as possible and also to give us all that extra push and motivation to get to the finishing line as quickly as possible. Don’t forget your reflective bib and your number for tonight. See you at the Sport’s Centre!
THANKS TO ALL OUR WINTER LEAGUE RUNNERS AND HELPERS.
Now that the first half of the league is over we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those involved in the league as without their help and support the league could not possibly to organise each and every week. We are most fortunate to have a dedicated team of stewards, time-keepers, administrators and traffic controllers who help out week after week regardless of the weather or conditions and we are extremely grateful for their invaluable help. And a very special well done to all of you our winter league runners who have now reached the half-way point of this year’s league each and every one of you should be well pleased and proud to have made the start ,we wish you all a very happy new year and injury free running 2023. See you all again for the 2nd half of the best league in town on Wednesday January 4th. And remember please do bring a friend.
REMEMBER THAT THE ROADS ARE NOT CLOSED SO BE CAREFUL OF TRAFFIC.
For safety, high vis must be worn. Also the rules of the league prohibit the wearing of watches. Anyone not wearing high vis or that is caught wearing a watch won’t be included in the results. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our runners and stewards a very Happy new year and we’ll see ye again when we start back for 2023 on Wednesday 4th January.
€4.000 RAISED AT ST. STEPHEN’S DAY JOLLY JAUNT IN AID OF THE MERCY CANCER APPEAL.
The 21st annual St Stephen’s Day fun run/walk jointly organised by Dungarvan GAA in association with West Waterford athletic club was held again this year,the weather was ideal which brought out one of the largest attendance in the 21 year history of the event which also saw one of the largest amount of monies ever raised also with 4.000 euro donated by those who participated which included walkers and runners, All are to be congratulated on this huge amount of raised for the Mercy Cancer Appeal. A delighted Grace O’CallaghaN on behalf of the Dungarvan GAA club would like to sincerely thank all those who came along in such big numbers and who donated so generously on the morning. The cheque presentation was made by Maire Mahony on behalf of all participants to Grace . Very special thanks once again this year to the Ladies of the catering committee who provided the cuppa and the sandwiches which greeted the participants on their return to the centre. Thanks also to those who looked after the stewarding and parking.
34th ANNUAL KIELY MONUMENTAL COLLIGAN CUP.
We kick off the racing scene for 2023 on Sunday the 15th January with the 34th Annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup. The Juvenile race starts at 11.00 pm. The senior race is over the usual 5 miles Colligan wood circuit and Juveniles will have a single 1-mile circuit to run. The Colligan cup is a unique event in that it is run on a handicap basis where you simply predict your finishing time over a 5 mile run, with the winner being the person who is nearest to that predicted time. This makes the race open to all no matter what your standard is, everyone has the same chance of taking the title. Now in its 34th year we would like to thank sincerely our sponsor for all of those 30 years David Kiely of Kiely Monumental for his on-going support for the local running club West Waterford AC. So for a great fun event on the yearly running calendar Colligan is where you need to be come Sunday 15th January.
MUNSTER INDOOR DATES ANNOUNCED.
The 2023 Munster Junior, Under 23, Senior and Masters Indoor Championships will be held at the Nenagh Indoor Arena.
Junior and Under 23 Championships will take place on Monday 2nd January Closing Date for entries will be Thursday December 22nd 2022.
3000m for Junior/U23/Snr and Masters will be held on this date Monday January 2nd ,
3000m walk for all categories will be held on Sunday February 12th
Senior and Masters Championships will be held on Sunday 12th February 2023,Closing Date for entries here is Thursday February 2nd 2023
Just a reminder to anyone wishing to enter any competition after 31st Dec… You must renew your membership first to be eligible to compete.
ANY MEMBER WISHING TO TAKE PART PLEASE HAVE YOUR ENTRY IN ON TIME TO JAMES 086 8184762.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED FOR JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
It’s that time of year again when we take on the mammoth task of organising the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile. We have been fortunate in the past to have had help from club members and also from many outside of the club circle who come along each year to give a few hours of their time. This year we are in need of that same help again and even more, with a much bigger field assembled this year we will be under more pressure in making sure these visitors to our town leave with a good experience of what Dungarvan has to offer and we hope such will be the impression we will make on them that they will want to come back again to visit the town for maybe a longer stay. We will need stewards and people to help with catering on the day ,if you have a few hours on Sunday February 3rd please contact stewarding coordinator Karen Ryan on 086-8245683.Support your local athletics club-Many hands make light work!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
West Waterford athletic club extends New Year’s greetings to all its members, sponsors, friend’s supporters and helpers, May 2023 bring you all the health and happiness you desire.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Tom McDonald Murphy Place Abbeyside and Aileen Mulcahy Clonea Road Abbeyside who passed to their eternal reward recently. May they rest in peace .
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL.
West Waterford AC membership renewal e mails will be coming into your e mail account inbox from today, membership stays at the very low reasonable price of 25 euro with 20 of this going to AI for your membership registration. Due to the introduction by Athletics Ireland of a new 1 day fee for all NON CLUB members we invite you to re-join now to avoid this extra cost when you are entering events in 2023.
LUCY HOLMES SELECTED FOR UNDER 23 CROSS CUP IN BELGIUM.
Athletics Ireland has announced this morning the U20, U23 and Senior athletes who have been selected to compete in the Cross Cup Hannut Belgium which is a world athletics cross-country tour event on 22nd January. Club member Lucy Holmes has been selected in a two woman under 23 selection along with Fiona Everard of Bandon AC. With very good quality Belgium opposition plus entrants from across Europe and beyond competing this will be an ideal opportunity for Lucy at this high level of competition. It will also provide a chance for athletes to familiarise themselves with Belgium cross country conditions ahead of the 2023 European Cross Country due to be held later in the year in December. We wish Lucy the best over the next few weeks in her preparation for the race and of course at the event itself.
HENNESSEY 3RD IN FERMOY 10K.
Club member Pat Hennessey finished off a very successful year of road racing when he finished 3rd this morning in the Fermoy 10k,overall race winner was Ryan Creech Leevale AC in 30.16,2nd was Sergui Ciobanu Clonliffe Harriers AC 31.04 with Pat running 32.11 for 3rd. The Ladies winner as Niamh Moore Leevale AC in 36.33.Another club member competing was Mick Ahern ran a good race also finishing 15th in a time of 35.53,Ray Hahesy ran a time of 41.35.233 completed the run,well done to all.
