MASON MARTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE.
SUCCESSFUL COLLIGAN LEAGUE CONCLUDES FOR 2022.
The fifth and final night in Colligan of our Mason Mortgages and Financial Services Spring Running League once again saw a great crowd of 49 runners take to the beautiful surround of Colligan wood on what turned out to be an ideal evening for the final round of the league. It was great to have had this league back after a 2 year Covid break and the league once again proved to be popular as ever and hopefully now it has kicked started what will be a busy summer race series for the club. We had the pleasure on the final night to have a few visitors from France join us, the juvenile club had a club from Paris over for a week and some of the older members joined us for a taste of the Colligan hills which we hope they enjoyed. It’s hard to believe that the league has come to an end already as the weeks seem to have passed very quickly, As this was the last night of this league the overall prizes were presented after running. Our club Chairman Tom Leahy welcomed everyone especially our sponsor Mark Mason of Mason Mortgages and Financial Services, Cappoquin, he thanked all the runners for supporting the league and hoped that they enjoyed coming to Colligan wood for the 5 weeks, especially the newcomers. He went on to thank all those who helped out with the organisation of the league and of course Coillte for allowing us to use the Colligan venue .League sponsor Mark Mason was on hand to present the prizes and we would once again like to thank Mark for his generous sponsorship.
PHILIP HARTY KING OF THE HILLS 2022.
The main event of this particular league is the 5 miles on the hills circuit with the title of “King of the hills 2022” going to no other than Philip Harty who was winning this league for the 4th time in all. Philip once again was the deserving recipient of the Veale Family Shield as he completed all 5 rounds of the league and was 1st home on all occasions and also was our fastest man over the 5 weeks,on week 2 Philips ran a time of 30.30 which is super running over the hills of Colligan. Brian Byrne was our runner-up this year and Brian finished 2nd to Philip on all 5 rounds of the league with his fastest time recorded on week 5 the final round when he ran 32.20. Kieran Russell was our 3rd man overall and Kieran is definitely the post improved runner at the league this year’s posting brilliant times over the course of the 5 weeks, his fastest time was 34.47 on week 4 of the league. Well done to everyone that took to the hill over the past 5 weeks – running the hills will definitely make you stronger and will have you in good shape for the races to come.
AIMEE MOLONEY OUR LEADER AMONG THE LADIES.
Not far from where the league was held is the homestead of Aimee Moloney a family well known in show riding circles, well over the past 5 week Aimee left the equestrian world behind for a bit and took the hill of Colligan wood to run our league and here she proved she is now slouch on her feet either as she took the Queen of the Hills title for 2022.Having all the 4 of the 5 rounds complete Aimee ran her best time on week 2 when she recorded time of 42.34.Runnerup this year another no stranger to Colligan Ann Dunford who probably has more hills ran in Colligan than most recorded her best time of 44.31 on the 5th and final night.3rd Lady was Ann Moore who ran the required 4 rounds of the league was for the first time here on the podium finishing 3rd and her best time over the 5 weeks was recorded on week 5 when she recorded a time of 44.38.well done to all the Ladies who ran the mighty hills of Colligan this year.
MARGARET WHELAN WINS THE TWO LAP LEAGUE.
The 2 lap league this year was claimed by Margaret Whelan, Margaret ran ever round of the league and is a constant participate of the club’s leagues over many years, so a deserving win for Margaret who really enjoys her running.In second place was another lady who really enjoys the outdoor life Barbara Duff and she was claiming her first prize at one of our league for the first time ever and this reflected on the delight she showed when presented with her prize, well done to both ladies and indeed well done to everyone who completed the 2 lap league – we hope to see ye at the summer series races or at some of our other leagues as the year goes on.
LINDA FOLEY RECORDS 2 LAP VICTORY.
The 2 lap league saw Linda Foley take the honours here running a best time of 29.06 which was great running for the 2 laps of the road wood circuit, Linda completed every night of the league as did our runner up in this league Clodagh Dwyer, Yes Dwyer the name will be familiar to all, another of that family dynasty involved in the sport, interesting fact is that her brother Tony won this year some years back when he started running and his now running the 5 miles hills with his father Anthony. Well done to both Linda and Clodagh and all who run the 2 lap flat. this year Prize winners at the league also included Anthony Dwyer,Bridget Coffey,David Mc Nally,Donal O’Donoghue,Jodie Hynes and Angelika Chichikova.
OVERALL LEAGUE PRIZE WINNERS 2022.
5 MILE HILLS.
Men.
1st Philip Harty
2nd Brian Byrne
3rd Kieran Russell
Women.
1st Aimee Moloney
2nd Ann Dunford
3rd Ann Moore
2 LAPS FLAT.
1st Margaret Whelan
2nd Barbara Duff
3 LAP FLAT
1st Linda Foley
2nd Clodagh Dwyer
THANK YOU.
As always we are indebted to our steward’s Declan, Jim, Jamie,Liam and our finish line team of Ray and Shirley. Thanks to our sponsor Mark who was on hand each week at the league and also presented the prizes to the various winners. For his ongoing support of our club which is greatly appreciated. Once again a special thanks of course to Coillte who give us permission to hold this league and without whose co-operation this league and of course the Colligan Cup would not take place each year.
THE AHS TUNING IRELAND TO SPONSOR 7th ANNUAL BALLINROAD 5K KICK STARTS SUMMER RACE PROGRAMME.
Our first race in the new look summer road race programme for 2022 will get underway with the AHS Tuning Ireland sponsored Ballinroad 5k on Friday May 13th at 7.30 pm. Firstly our sincere thanks to John Coleman of AHS for his continued sponsorship of this race which he has sponsored for the past 7 years. All at our club wish John and his team ever success in his new premises out on Coolagh road where he has recently moved to a bigger premises with his successful AHS Tuning Ireland business.This year once again after a two year break due to covid we are delighted to be able to help and support the local community in Ballinroad as the local soccer club Ballinroad A.F.C. will be the benefactors of the race, with monies donated towards their Pitch fund. The race will incorporate a fun run/walk with proceeds from them going towards the clubs fund for this project. Starting at 7.30 pm with Ballinroad community hall as the race H. Q. A huge turnout is expected if last year is anything to go by as we deem the race to be the fastest flattest 5k course around. As you know in West Waterford AC we like to cater for all and have different prize structures in all our races, for the Ballinroad race we will have prizes for the top 5 men and women with lots and lots of spots for down the field finishers. The entry fee is 10 euro pre entry online.The course chosen for the race is an excellent out and back course which is very flat so if it’s your first attempt at the 5k distance or you’re looking for a fast time on a flat- fast course this is your opportunity to shine. See you all Friday 13th May for race one.
GREAT VALUE SUMMER RACE PACKAGE.
West Waterford Athletic Club are delighted to confirm dates and times for our summer programme of Road Races 2022. We are finding that many are now using our online pre entry to our races which is a huge help to the race organisers .This year our online entry will be 10 euro per race. Also we are continuing our online race series package which will cost you only 50 euro for all 6 races. Going forward we hope to have more runners entered online as it really helps minimize the workload on the day of the race.
Here is the link for the series package.
https://eventmaster.ie/event/qMDzSP7SQq
7TH ANNUAL AHS TUNING IRELAND BALLINROAD 5K IN ASSOCIATION WITH BALLINROAD SOCCER CLUB.
Enter Ballinroad AHS TUNING IRELAND 5k online now. Numbers can be collected on the evening of race. This race will cost 10 euro to enter online.
Here is the link below to enter.
https://eventmaster.ie/event/preview/0y5pTzqsA1
PAT HENNESSEY WINS SPLASHWORLD 10K.
Pat Hennessey was top of the podium last Friday evening at the annual Splashworld 10k in Tramore. Pat ran PB time of 31.58 to win with a field of 188 finishers on the night. This is yet another forward step for Pat who is showing immense improvement week on week and hopefully will keep that trajectory upwards going. Craig O’Brien Ferrybank was second in 32.46 and Noel Murphy Waterford was third in 32 56.First lady home was Ruth Fitzgerald Waterford in 36.49, Keeley Tideswell was second in 37.45 and Louise Mahony was third in 40.19.Raivis Zakis also ran very well on the night finishing 5th in a time of 34.09.Pat Fitzgerald made the top 10 with a time of 35.02.
Micheàl Power sets new 1.500 meters in the USA .
Club member Micheàl Power running with Tulsa University was 4th in the 1500 metres last evening in a personal best time also of 3. 40.97.and he should shortly become Waterford’s second sub 4 minute miler on his recent performances and hopefully will be joining his fellow club mate David Mc Carthy currently the only sub 4 miler from Waterford.
JOE GOUGH LEADS THE WAY.
A recent survey of Irish Masters Athletics has found that club member Joe Gough is the leading male medal winner at European and World Masters Championships Outdoor and Indoor with a total of 24 The 24 are made up of 23 races over the 800 and 1500 metres distances the majority being gold in age groups o50.055,060,o65 ,plus one 4 x 200 metres relay medal, keep up the great work Joe.
GREAT RUNNING IN BELFAST BY WWAC LADIES.
The Belfast Marathon was held last Sunday morning and it was the 40th edition of the event, the clubs great tradition going back many years of participation at the event was kept alive and well with a couple of our lady club members in the field Eleanor Casey ran a time of 4.23.41 while Catherine Condon completed the 26.2 mile course in 4.24.49, Mary Cahill also made the trip north and she ran 4.19.41.
SUPER TIMES AT LIMERICK HALF AN FULL MARATHON.
There were some brilliant performances by club members this morning at the Limerick Marathon and half marathon. Two very unlucky members will have to toe the marathon line again on another occasion as Padraig Healy and Shane Power were so unlucky not to break the magic 3 hour mark with both lads putting in a great performance but missing out agonising by seconds on the 3 hours. Padraig 3.00.24 and Shane 3.00.38, both will return to the battle field have no doubt to make this right. There was another great run by Sean Stilwell who clocked 3.06.30 with Ted O’Leary breaking the 3.30 mark in 2.29.39,Sean’s brother Richard also ran the full and he clocked 3.52.41.Liam Fitzgerald was in action and Liam was very happy with his time of 3.54.08 and Mick Concannon ran 4.14.07.In the half marathon John O’Rourke finished a brilliant 21st in a time of 1.18.34 and hot on John’s heels was club mate Richard Gough 14th in 1.19.06,Andrew Hickey ran 1.30.27, Padraig Kennedy was clocked at 1.30.43 and well done all.
