Senior News,November 17 2025

FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.

ROUND 2

The weather held up prity well again after much rain during the day last Wednesday evening but it was windy on the return journey for round 2 of the Fordes Daybreak Winter league which saw another huge turnout with 435 participants covering the two courses. The numbers registering for the league increased again with a further 21 coming along for the first time last week. Its great to see that the numbers participating are growing weekly with 364 running the league this night last year so the increase is significant which we are all delighted to see.And hi there’s plenty more room also for those not registered yet for the league, come-on make that move we would love to see you and remember we welcome everyone no matter what their running ability is so do remember to let your friends know that if they have any thoughts of giving the league a try that we have plenty room for them so encourage them to come along and give it a go, you can start any night you wish and run at whatever pace you feel able to run at. You have two distances to choose from, there’s the short route 2.2 miles or the longer 5.2 course.By now, those of you running the league will have an understanding of how the league works. Runners go off in groups according to their times from the previous week and the ultimate goal is to try and pass as many people as possible while at the same time not to have too many pass you out!! Thanks to all the runners for obeying the rules of the winter league. We are sure that you will appreciate that with the huge volume of runners at the sport’s centre and out on the roads that your co-operation is vital for the smooth running and the safety of the runners. The clock starts at 6.40 p.m sharp each night but for your first night aim to be there around 6.15 in order to get your number. We will see you all Wednesday for round 3.

EVAN FITZGERALD SMASHES HIS OWN COURSE RECORD ON LONG COURSE.

Round 2 of the 2025/26 Fordes Daybreak winter league saw another large turnout of runners last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan Sports Centre when a whopping 267 talking on the long course this number was 217 the same night last year. The place was a hive of activity as the first of the long course runners headed off at 6.40 and they streamed away from the sports centre for the next 20 minutes or so till all participants were out on the course running. This week there were 20 newly registered runners on the long route which shows the popularity of the league.The winter league will continue for 9 more nights 5 before Christmas and 4 after Christmas with a 2 week break over the festive season.The big story of the evening in many ways was the outstanding performance by Evan Fitzgerald having broken the old course record on three different occasions during last year’s league, he has once again outdone himself by bettering his previous best 25:59 effort on the 5.2-mile course.At last Wednesday nights league which was Round 2 of the 2025/26 league, Evan smashed his personal best from last year, clocking an incredible 25:44 and finishing in 244th position—proving once again just how unpredictable and exciting this league can be.First home on the league last week was Dermot Gough  in a time of 32.42.Dermot was followed home by Sean Keogh in a time of 35.49 months and  third back last week was Laurence Martin in 36.34. The leading ladies last week were Elaine Horgan first home  in 4 th place with a time of 36.36, Mary Kate Prendergast was 2nd lady finisher in 45.52 and Kate Phelan was our 3rd lady back to the sport centre in a time of 45.58. Well done to everyone who took part and to anyone who hasn’t joined the league yet, why not come along any Wednesday night and join you’ll be glad you took the first step.

ANOTHER RECORD TURNOUT ON SHORT COURSE LAST WEEK.

Again we were lucky with the weather as the rain had just stopped shortly before the first runners were off ,but we did have a stiff enough wind  last Wednesday night but nine the less we saw yet another huge turnout of runners on the course for round 2 of the Fordes Daybreak winter league short course. There was a great buzz around the sports centre as the clocks started at 6.40 on the button and the first of the runners headed off on the 2.2 mile course.As we said there was once again a massive number out for the second round last Wednesday when 168 which is way up on last years round 2 number of 148 all taking up the challenge of the league .This section of the league specifically has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.2 miles in total. The handicap system kicked in after the mass start of week one so make sure to check your start time on facebook and or on the sheets posted on the wall at the sports centre when you arrive down next week.First back on the night was Ruadhán De Faoite who ran round in an excellent 17.08. Next was Patrick Fkynn in 20.17 followed by the first of our Lady finisher last week Orla Queally in 20.22 and Mary Frost was in behind in 20.37 in 4th place Well done to all who took part, and remember newcomers are always welcome. Just register online and come along to Dungarvan Sports centre on any Wednesday Night at 6.15 collect your number and off you go.

FEW REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEKS ROUND 3.

No Watches are allowed, anyone wearing a watch won’t be included in the results.

Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners. This is for your own safety and safety of our other runners as well as to assist the stewards.

If you’re coming along this week for the first time please be down early to get your number collected etc.

Your winter league number, given at registration, is the number you have for all the league. It should be worn to the front, be clearly visible and secured with a pin in each corner to stop it flapping. Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew in the hall and at the finish line.

34th ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 ENTRIES OPEN FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER FOR AI MEMBERS.

First week of December entries will open to Athletics Ireland club members for the 34th Annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10 which will be held on Sunday February 1st 2026, with a start time of 11 am. Entries for all others, none club members will open on a few days later at Eventmaster.ie .West Waterford Athletic Club have announced details of the event which has established itself as a must run race on the Irish road running calendar with participants from all four corners of the country and beyond participating. The race has grown year on year and is a pre entry race which will close when 3,750 entries is reached.  The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 brings together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who compete over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan, we look forward to welcoming you to our town on February 1st 2026. So remember entries open first week of December for club AI members and  all other entries will open a few days after.

 All race details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org

 CRUMLIN CHILDRENS HOSPITAL 2026 RACE BENEFACTORS.

West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our race benefactors for the 2026 John Tracy Dungarvan 10 mile road race Are Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin which is Ireland’s largest paediatric hospital, providing specialist care to children from all over the country. Monies donated by the runners and the club will be donated to this very worthy national cause. We are delighted as the race organisers to have chosen Crumlin Childrens Hospital as they offer world-class treatment across a wide range of medical and surgical specialties .The hospital is home to national centres for cardiac surgery, haematology, and oncology. Dedicated teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff deliver compassionate, family-centred care. Crumlin is also a leading centre for research and education in paediatric medicine. Every year, thousands of young patients receive life-changing care within its walls .The hospital’s mission is to ensure every child has the best possible chance for a healthy future.We hope that once again you will be generous and support this worthy cause. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

SOLAS CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE TO BENEFIT FROM 17th ANNUAL AN SEAN PHOBAL MEMORIAL TURKEY TROT.

On Sunday December 7th the 17th Annual Cleanzone Technologies Ltd sponsored Paddy Joe Curran Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile run and 4 mile walk will take place at the Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan. All proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Solas Cancer Support Centre . The event is once again kindly sponsored by Cleanzone Technology Ltd of which were most grateful.  The 4 mile walk will begin at 11 am, while the 5 mile run will get under way at 11.30. The Annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Old parish Turkey Trot was set up by the late Paddy Joe Curran in 2007. Unfortunately Paddy Joe passed away in 2011 . Paddy Joe dedicated his life to promoting athletics in the As Sean Phobal and An Rinn areas. After his passing a group of Paddy Joe’s friends came together with the aim of growing the event and raise funds for local charities in his memory. All proceeds from this year’s event go to Solas Cancer Support Centre . Registration online  for 10 euro or on the day its 15 euro number collection from  10:30am on the morning at the Marine Bar located on the N25. Prize giving and refreshments will take place at the Marine Bar following the event. Please note there will be no mass start for walk. Once walkers have registered and signed in, they will be allowed to begin the event. 

Registration Now Open

https://eventmaster.ie/event/Jw9vIpvHRk

AIDAN CONNELL WINS BEAT THE TRAIN 10 MILE.

The club had a good number of athletes who were among the 354 athletes taking part in last Saturdays beat the train 10 mile race. The event was held to raise monies for Down Syndrome Ireland and held along the Kilmeaden section of the Greenway on an out and back course.The race overall winner on the day was West Waterford’s Aidan Connell in a time of 53.40 with just 5 athletes breaking the hour mark for the run Aidan proved for the field and finished well ahead of the 2nd athlete home Kieran Russell Leevale AC in 55.26.Daryl Kearns also ran well and was one of the five who did break the 60 minute barrier when he finished in 4th place in 58.25 taking first over 40 here.The ladies winner was Linda Kelly Watergrasshill AC in a time of 64.00 giving her 17th place overall. Laura Lynch was the clubs first female home in 1.24.10 followed by Fiona Longan 1.24.48 Well done to all who took part.

MURRAYS CAREPLUS PHARMACY BRICKEY 5 k.

We had a great days racing at last Sundays Murray’s CAREPLUS Pharmacy Brickey 5k.A full race report plus photos will appear in next weeks notes. .

DAVID RUNS CHURCHTOWN 10.

Well done to club member David Reynolds who was among the 534 athletes who took part in the Churchtown road runners  10 mile road race last Saturday .

SYMPATHY .

West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Cam Foley Ballyneety Dungarvan who passed to his eternal reward last week,may he rest in peace.