COUNTY NOVICE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021
GOLD FOR MARC FLAVIN AND KELLY FITZGERALD-MENS AND LADIES TAKE TEAM TAKE GOLD.
GOLD FOR MARK BLACKWELL IN JUNIOR MENS RACE.
Yes indeed it was great to back cross country running last weekend after such a difficult time for our sport over the past 18 months, thankfully were back and with a bang it has to be said as last Sunday we competed in day 1 of the county cross country championship for juvenile even ages along with the junior and novice men and ladies all faced the starters gun at a well laid out course in WIT Waterford. It was a very successful day for our young juveniles as can be seen in the juvenile notes. At adult level the club had a very good turnout in the men’s novice and we also fielded a team in the ladies novice with all agreeing it was great to be back racing again.The Novice ladies and men’s had very small fields which is disappointing at country level, however West Waterford AC did have two novice men’s and teams and one ladies and all are to congratulated on participating for their club on the day.In the Men’s race over 6.000 meters Marc Falvin was an easy winner when from the gun he ruled the pace up front before breaking clear and staying away from the chasers all the way to the finish line, this was Marc’s 3rd occasion running the country novice and his form really good this year going into the race and the results was he deservingly took the much sought after individual gold medal. Mark Langford Waterford AC took silver here and Mossie Keogh West Waterford AC put in a brilliant performance to snatch bronze, Marc and Mossie lead the club to team gold so very well done to all who came along and ran their county novice championships. James Whelan ran well to finish 4th with team mate Des Feeney just in behind in 5th, this was the gold medal winning team from the club on the day and the silver winning team members were Yev Chizhikov who finished 6th and Darren O Droma was 7th well done to Yev and Darren who both ran well on the day and this was Darren’s return to cross country running after quite a few years out of the sport so especially well done to the man from An Rinn. Michael Dunford finished 8th and Ray Hahessy was 9th with Conor Murray 10th.In the Ladies race over 4.000 meters Kelly Fitzgerald stole the show racing clear of the field from the gun and was always in control throughout the 3 lap event coming home well clear to take a deserving gold, Kelly is a valued member of the clubs coaching group under Irene Clarke and she like others have improved hugely over the past months training within this group.Like the men’s race the ladies also was poorly supported with West Waterford AC the only full team present. Liz Nyhan put in a sterling run and claimed that silver medal with bronze going to Sinéad Ní Fhaolain who it has to be said put in a brilliant run and the ever reliable Onra Power was 4th and a very important runner as she filled the fourth team place for west Waterford Ac winning gold medal team.The junior men’s race saw Mark Blackwell win a much deserved gold medal. Mark is young man who has trained and trained and trained day in day out,he puts in a huge amount of work and I’m sure its ok for us to say he came from humble begins in the sport but it just shows what hard work and dedication can achieve and Mark wasn’t always in the medal hunt but he worked himself into a position where he now is and his just rewards was gold in the Junior men’s last Sunday.
WEST WATERFORD AC 27th ANNUAL OPEN CROSS COUNTRY RACE FOR THE JAMES HUGHES PERPETUAL CUP.
The club’s 27th annual Cross Country event of the year takes place on Sunday October 3rd at St. Augustine’s College with a 12 noon starting time. As we gather momentum on the comeback trail to a full programme of events after the Covid period it is and will be great to be getting back to what we love doing best running and as in previous years this race is open to all and caters for all levels of runners from elite runners, club runners, fun runners and joggers, all are more than welcome. The overall winner will have his name inscribed on the James Hughes perpetual cup. The race itself will see the men cover 4 laps of the Friary grounds (8k) and the ladies will cover 4k or 2 laps in total. There will be prizes on offer in the usual categories. The race also incorporates the county senior championships for men and women.
Open race prizes.
1st 3 men-1st over 35-40-50-60
1st 3 Ladies-1st over 35-40-45-50
All competing must enter online at the link below
https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/WaterfordCountyCrossCountryDay22021
COUNTY SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021.
The Ladies Senior race will be held over 4.000 meters ( 2 laps ) will start at 12 noon and the Mens senior will also go off at the same 12 noon time and they will cover 8.000 meters ( 4 laps ) Please note athletes must be 18 years of age on 31 December in year of competition to run this senior championships race.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP’S SENIOR MEN AND WOMEN.
1st 3 Individuals Gold, Silver and Bronze.
1st three club teams with 4 to score. Gold, Silver and Bronze.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Tom Kiely Ballyconnery who passed to his eternal reward recently ,May he rest in peace.
