Waterford AC Annual Half Marathon on Sunday

One the big athletic events of the year in the area takes place on Sunday next on the outskirts of Waterford City. Its the Annual Waterford AC promoted Half Marathon with a huge entry from all over Ireland totalling 1750.and it gets under way at 11 am sharp over a completely different course than in previous years..A reminder that the race this year starts and finishes at Waterford IT Sports Campus out in Carriganore and not at the RSC as in past years, full details are on www.waterfordac.com. As well as parking at the Campus itself the Butlerstown Retail Park can also be used which is just 500 metres away from the Campus so if there is any delay in getting in to WIT Campus on the morning please go there. For general traffic into Waterford there will be delays from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on the Ring Road at the Six Cross Roads Roundabout, on the Cork road near Audi and along the Green Road and Lacken Road. If you are coming via the Dublin Road or New Ross Road use the Toll Bridge to avoid going through the city the course is just off it as you come to the first roundabout after coming through the bridge turn left The pacers will be clearly marked and assembled in a designated area within the Campus. There are 8 changing rooms for use before and after the race and directly as athletes finish they will get their Goodie Bag and refreshments will be served upstairs

Munster Cross Country

The Munster Juvenile "B" & Masters Cross Country Championships are  also on Sunday next 1st December 2013 in Beaufort, Co. Kerry at 11.30 am. The juvenile age groups are under 9,11,13,15,17,19. Athletes from Waterford clubs will be competing there.

All Ireland Cross Country

 On Sunday December 15 th WIT Sports Campus will be the venue again for the All Ireland Novice and Juvenile Cross Country Championships which begin at 11.30 am with entries from the thirty two counties with thousands present, on Sunday last a great lot of athletes had a pre arranged  run over the course. Efforts are being made to have full men's and women's Novice teams from Waterford competing as well as club teams..

Annual Turkey Trot

 The 5 th Annual Paddy Joe Curran Turkey Trot 5 miles Charity run will take place on Sunday December 8 th at 12 noon.There will also be a walk over 4 miles which starts at 11 am. Entry to the run is open to all over 16 year olds. Entries taken at The Marine Bar, out the Dungarvan/  Youghal Road  and proceeds go to The Youghal Cancer Support Group and Clean Zone Technology are the sponsors

European Cross Country

Sunday December 8 th is the date and Belgrade in Serbia is the venue for the European Cross Country Championships and David Mc Carthy West Waterford is expected to be on the Irish men's team

Collegiate Cross Country

On Saturday last the National Collegiate Cross Country Championships were held in Terre Haute Indiana and in the men's 10000 metres race Shane Quinn finished 42 nd in a field of 254 his time being 30.47.18 the race was won by Edward Cheserek Oregan in 29.41.1, Shane's College Providence were 16 th team out of the 31 that participated.Providence ladies won the team award much to the delight of coach Ray Treacy from Villierstown.

Inter Varsity Road Relays

A number of athletes from Waterford competed on University teams at the Inter Varsity Road Relays in Maynooth on Saturday last. David Mc Carthywas on the DCU team that won, Ciara Cronin was on the UCC team placed second and Laura Behan was on the DCU team was third.

Death 

The death took place on Sunday last of Mr John O'Connor from Ballykinsella, Tramore.The late John was very much involved with Tramore AC for many years and anyone that came in contact with him through athletics will have nothing but pleasant memories of him. He was a gentle giant in every sense of the word and it was a pleasure to be in his company. All involved in Waterford athletics send their sympathy to his son and daughters and all other family members. 

New Adult Running Group - Monthly session

New adults running group / advice etc monthly session under guidance of our elite distance athlete Andrew Connick. Starts this Sat Nov 30th Nature Park 9am.All welcome to attend. No fee.

Inter varsity road relays

 Niall Tuohy had a super run for UL yesterday setting a new course record for the 1 mile leg in the inter varsity road relays! great runs also from Andrew Connick for WIT in the 3 mile and also Ciara Cronin for UCC. 

Kelly - Inspirational Athlete of the Year

Well done to  Kelly proper who won "Inspirational Athlete of the Year" at the athletics Ireland 2013 awards today.

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

All Ireland Cross Country 

On Sunday last the All Ireland Senior and Junior Inter County Cross Country Championships as well as the juvenile even age groups were held in Santry in Dublin with lots of athletes from all over Ireland competing but the Waterford entry was very small in most events. After disputing the lead for quite a lot of the race David Mc Carthy West Waterford AC slipped on the surface and lost his momentum eventually finishing 7 th in the senior race and Andrew Connick Ferrybank AC was 18 th, Paul Stephenson was 52 nd and these were the only Waterford athletes to compete, none were in the junior races either. With so many participating in road races locally it seems that very few athletes are emerging as competitors in major championships and stick mainly to road race. Fionnula britto was a class apart in winning the senior ladies race. Athletes from the county who finish well up in these races should be able to perform well for teams in major championships. In  the juvenile championships West Waterford AC athletes did well. In the under 12 grade Lucy Holmes was 5 th and Aoife O'Brien 6 th and West Waterford AC were second club while the two girls were on the winning Munster team ,in the same grade Cormac Mahony was 7 th and was on the Munster team that was second. Aoife Hamilton was 5 th in the under 16 race and Hannah Power 12 th and West Waterford were second club and Waterford third county,the team was made up of all West Waterford athletes Hamilton, Power, Caiomhe Dwyer, Sinead Flynn, Darina Shanley and Emma Hallahan, they were also on the winning Munster team.. Another West Waterford athlete Miceal Power was on the winning Munster team under 16 and was 18 th overall  .Aoife Hamilton after her performance in finishing 5 th under16 has been selected on the Irish team for the Celtic Cross Country International in January.

Quinn Seventh in USA.

The American Regional Cross Country championships were held at Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx New York on Friday last, just eight days before nationals at Terre Haute Indiana next Saturday.In the North East Regional in the men’s race  over 8 km Shane Quinn Ferrybank AC was best of the Irish in seventh place in a time of 30.24.3 the race was won by Maksim Karolev Harvard University in 30.11

Winter League continues

There was another huge entryFive for the second race of this years Paddy Byrne Winter league on Thursday last and it continues this Thursday at 7 pm at the RSC and every Thursday so come along early to get ready for the off and to register. Again all must wear reflective clothing and obey stewards and no  criss crossing on road ,safety, is the first priority for all both participants and other road users

Big Events ahead

Two major events are coming up in December in Waterford. On Sunday 1 st  the Annual Waterford AC Half Marathon has an 11 am start at WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore. Entries closed on Tuesday of this week and its expected close to 1700 will compete Then on Sunday 15 th WIT Sports Campus will be the venue again for the All Ireland Novice and Juvenile Cross Country Championships which begin at 11.30 am.with entries from the thirty two counties.

Munster Cross Country

The Munster Juvenile "B" & Masters Cross Country Championships are on Sunday 1st December 2013 in Beaufort, Co. Kerry at 11.30 am. The juvenile age groups are under 9,11,13,15,17,19 entries close this Friday.

Annual Turkey Trot

 The 5 th Annual Paddy Joe Curran Turkey Trot 5 miles Charity run will take place on Sunday December 8 th at 12 noon.There will also be a walk over 4 miles which starts at 11 am. Entry to the run is open to all over 16 year olds. Entries taken at The Marine Bar,  out the Youghal Road  and proceeds go to The Youghal Cancer Support Group and Clean Zone Technology are the sponsors

John Treacy 10 Miles closed

Entries for the John Treacy 10 miles run in Dungarvan has now closed,the race is scheduled for Sunday  January 26 th January 2014 at 1 pm. Only elite athletes entries will be accepted until Friday January 17 th by direct contact with the following numbers 086 8184762 and 086 0619711

Ferrybank A.C. V Leevale A.C.  V Nenagh A.C.

Sunday December 1st 2013

Nenagh

11am  start

Bus leaves RSC at 8.30am sharp. Cost 15e or 20e family. Approx bus return time to RSC 5pm .

Events

60m  u 8  - u 16

Middle distance u 8 – 16

Long jump u 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16

Shot u 11, 13, 15

Hurdles u 11, 12, 13, 14

Relays u 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 (u 16 relay is mixed)

Athletes can move up one age group.

Please text Lynda  (087 4115461) by Wednesday Nov 27th   if you wish to be entered and also if you wish to book a place on the bus. A parent should travel with anyone age 11 or younger.

Club singlets should be worn (available at training 15e)

Check out all club activities on our website and facebook page.

www.ferrybankathleticclub.org

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Good Munster Cross Country performances

Castlelyons Co Cork was the venue on Sunday last for the Munster Intermediate and Juvenile Cross Country Championships and athletes from Waterford clubs figured prominently in many of the races. Waterford AC finished second in the Intermediate men's club section with very good performances by Trevor Power 4 th overall and Brian Swaby one place behind in 5 th spot, the other scorers were PJ Scollard and Tony Quinlan, Waterford were third in the Inter County section with these four plus John Behan KCK and John Nolan Waterford.At Juvenile level West Waterford AC had excellent results both individual and team. Miceal Power won the under 15 title, Aoife Hamilton was third under 17, Oisin O'Riordan  4th under 11 as was Lucy O'Brien under 19,Annie Cunningham was 5th under 9 and Sinead Flynn 7 th u 17. others in the first ten were Sean Curran under 17, Peter Cummins u 9, Cormac Mahony u 13, Lucy Holmes u 13, Kate Killigrew u 11, Hannah Power u 15, Meg Ryan and Cliodna Ryan u 17 They won the girls under 17 and girls under 15 club team awards and were second in the boys u 13 and were third club team in the girls u 9, girls u 13 . Ferrybank AC also had good results with Orla Queally 2 nd under 17 and Caoimhe Duffy Niblock 3 rd under 13, 5 th placings went to Aisling Quinn u 17 and Eoin Browne u 17 also ,Adam Power was 7 th under13 and Aoife Casey 10 th u 13.For Waterford AC Conor Kilgannon was 5 th under 15 and Shane O'Brien 13 th and the team were second club. For KCK Michael Behan was 11 th under 19 and John Behan was again 11 th in the Intermediate race.In the Inter County section Waterford won the girls u 17 and were second in the boys u 17 and 3  rd in girls u15, girls u13, boys u 13 and boys u 15, 

All Ireland Cross Country

On Sunday next November 17 th the All Ireland Senior and Junior Inter Counties as well as the Juvenile even ages Cross Country Championships under 12,14,16,18 boys and girls  will be in Santry Demesne near Morton Stadium In Dublin at 11.30 am. Waterford will be represented in  many of the races and all eyes will be on David Mc Carthy in the senior race and at juvenile level West Waterford AC are expected to challenge for team awards in a few age groups.first race is the girls under 12, full programme on Athletic Ireland Website

Brickey's run won by Cork Athlete

The 20 th Annual R & S Roofing Brickey's 5 Km road race attracted an entry of 140 on Sunday last in Carriglea Dungarvan  and Colm Sheehan Leevale won in a time of 15 minutes 26 seconds,in second place was Niall Sheil from St Killian's in 15.42 and Ravis Zakis West Waterford AC was third in 16.47 . Martina O'Dwyer was first lady home in 18.03,Angela Mc Cann Clonmel was second in 18.38 and Corina Walsh West Waterford was third in 19.02. The Proceeds went to Brickey's Juvenile Club.

Combined Events

On  Saturday  next  16 th  the All lreland Schools Combined events will be in Athlone IT at 10 am with a small number of athletes from Waterford Schools competing and 

Winter League continues

Five hundred and fifty took part in the first race of this years Paddy Byrne Winter league on Thursday last and it continues this Thursday at 7 pm at the RSC and every Thursday so come along early to get ready for the off and to register. Again all must wear reflective clothing and obey stewards and no  criss crossing on road ,safety, is the first priority for all both participants and other road users

Death

A man very well known in Irish athletic circles for many years both as an athlete and administrator and a former President of Irish athletics passed away recently. The late Aidan Dempsey lived in Knockateemore, Dungarvan,  he came here to take up a prominent financial position in Waterford Coop several years ago. All involved in Waterford athletics send their sympathy to his family.

 

.Selection  procedure for the Celtic Cross Country taking place on the 4th January 2014:

(1) First four Non Ulster runners over the line at National Under 16 Inter-Counties Cross Country Race on 17th November in Dublin will race in the Under 17 Celtic Cross Country Race on the 4th January.( 2) First four Non Ulster runners over the line at National Under 19 Cross Country Race on the 15th December in Waterford will race in the Under 20 Celtic Cross Country Race on the 4th January.

Munster XC Day 2

It was a super day for the club in Castlelyons today with excellent performances all round. Pride of place goes to the girls u 13 team who won team gold! Well done to Caoimhe, Aoife, Zoe, Hannah, Clodagh, Emma and Aine. Orla Quelly had a fantastic run to finish second u 17 with Aisling Quinn making a fine return to racing placing fifth in the same race. Caoimhe Duffy Niblock had the best race of her life finishing third overall and leading her team to gold. Aoife Casey was tenth. Adam power was seventh under 13 and Eoin Browne an excellent fifth u 17. All our younger athletes performed really well also in really competitive races. Well done also to all the coaches who have worked so hard getting the athletes ready for these championships.

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Fine run by Mc Carthy in Belgium

In a top class International Cross Country Race in Mol, Antwerp on Sunday last David Mc Carthy West Waterford AC part of a four man Irish team had an excellent run. He finished 4 th overall behind the star Kenyan Alex Kibet who won in a time of 27 minutes 52 seconds with Mc Carthy timed at 28.26 the first Irish athlete home,.two Belgians finished second and third in 28.20 and 28.24 so David missed out narrowly on a podium place. He is now pre selected for the European Cross Country Championships in Serbia in December. The ladies race was won by Fionnula Britton easily and three other Irish athletes were in the top eight, in the junior race Eoin Browne Ferrybank was 14 th and Sean Curran West Waterford 16 th. 

County ( B) Juvenile Results

Small fields were the.order of the day at the County( B) Juvenile Cross Country Championships In Abbeyside last Sunday.The following were the winners in each event; Girls under 9 1 Kayleigh Cass KCK 2 Rachel Mooney Tramore 3 Cathy Shanley West Waterford , u 11 1 Helen Barry KCK 2 Neela Ryan West Waterford 3 Nadia Power KCK, u13 1 Roisin Dunph KCK, 2 Katie Ahearne An Ghaeltacht/Ard Mhor 3 Niamh Kiernan do, u 15 1 Aoibheann Connaughton West Waterford. Boys u 9 1 Paudie Barry KCK 2 Ben Kiely Tramore 3 Adam Murray KCK, u 11 1 Donnacha Dunphy KCK 2 Ciaran Dower An Ghaeltacht/ Ard Mhor 3 Mark Blackwell West Waterford u 13 1 Caoilean Mc Grath West Waterford u 15 1 Niall Blackwell West Waterford 2 Aidan Mc Kenna do.

USA News

Shane Quinn finished 12 th in the Big East Collegiate Cross Country Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday last in a time of 24 minutes 35 seconds, the race was won by Patrick Tiernan Villanova in 23.51.Villanova won the team award with Providence College second and Shane Quinn was the 4 th scorer on the Providence team

 

Dublin City Marathon

Sandis Bralitis West Waterford was first Waterford athlete home in the recent Dublin City Marathon in place in 2.31.36,Trevor Power Waterford was 24 th in 2.36.13 and Ruari O'Donnell Ferrybank was 26 th in 2.36.5,.Mary Ryan Jennings was second female over 55 home in 3.20.27.

Looking Ahead in November

On Sunday next November 10 th the Munster Intermediate Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships as well as the under 9,11,13,15,17 and 19 boys and girls will be in Castlelyons Co Cork.Lots of athletes from Waterford clubs will be participating in most of the races the fixture begins at 11.30 am..On  Saturday 16 th  the All lreland Schools Combined events will be in Athlone IT at 10 am and on Sunday November 17 th the All Ireland Senior and Junior Inter Counties as well as the Juvenile Even Ages will be in Santry Demesne near Morton Stadium In Dublin at 11.30 am.

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Winter League Resumes

 The Paddy Byrne Annual Winter League resumes on this Thursday November 7th. at the RSC at 7 pm entries from 6.15 pm. The league will run for 6 Thursday nights before and 6 nights after Christmas as usual. Beginner runners are most welcome,  and this year will see the return of online entry for the series, There will also be chip timing again with Total Timing. The handicap system will be in full swing as always and it is planned  to introduce a league system to keep everyone in with a chance of a prize,absolutely no watches. clear reflective clothing must be worn and no criss crossing of roads please and obey stewards. 

Waterford AC Half Marathon

Don't miss out on entering the above Half Marathon online or in person at ALFIE HALE SPORTS, 40-42 Arundel Square Waterford. Entries close on November 12th or before if  a limit of 2000 is reached which now seems likely.The start and finish of the race is at WIT Sports Campus which is located outside Waterford City just off the N25: All finishers will receive your specially commissioned gym sack which will have our WAC 2013 hat and goodies and will be welcomed upstairs In Wit Campus after your hard efforts for complimentary refreshments of tea/coffee, cookies and of course a Blaa. Prize giving will also be upstairs at 2 pm. on the day The date is Sunday December 1 st and starting time is 11 am. See Waterford AC Website for all the details course etc. Then on Sunday December 15 th the All Ireland Novice and Juvenile even age Cross Country Championships are at the Wateford IT Campus in Carriganore another very big day to look forward to in Waterford.

Albert Thomas RIP.

The death took place last week of  former Olympian and World Record holders Albert Thomas from Australia . He broke World records, competed at three Olympic Games, was a dual Commonwealth Games medallist and after his career he coached and worked tirelessly for his athletics club.  Any of us who happened to be in Morton Stadium in Santry in Dublin  in August 1958 when Herb Elliott set a new world record for the mile of 3.54.5 on  a cinder track with four other athletes under the 4 minutes including Ronnie Delany and also Thomas will remember Thomas as the athlete who set the pace for him, then the following evening Thomas himself set a new World mark for the two miles in Santry..