Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Bronze medals for Irish women at European Cross Country.
Once again as so often in the past athletes have won medals at a major
event for Ireland. The senior Irish women’s team won a brilliant
bronze team medal at the European Cross country Championships in
Samokov, Bulgaria on Sunday, last. The team made up of Fionnuala
Britton (Kilcoole AC), Sara Treacy (Dunboyne AC), Michelle Finn
(Leevale AC), Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC), Siobhan O ’Doherty
(Borrisokane AC) and Laura Crowe (An Riocht AC) combined to place
third with a score of 87 points. Doherty finished second in the
Waterford Half Marathon on Saturday week and is well known in the
Waterford area.This was Ireland' 7 team medal at these championships
since they began in 1994.Irish team captain Ann-Marie McGlynn said “I
am thrilled, I knew coming in that we had a chance. I am just so
delighted for the girl’s, we have really gelled as a team and this is
just brilliant to get a team medal, I am delighted” At the front of
the field Britton was aiming for a third European cross country title
in the space of four years having won the title in 2011 and 2012. She
was always to the fore in a fast paced race as the Great Britain & NI
athletes Kate Avery and Gemma Steel battled it out for the individual
title with Steel coming out the victor. Track specialist Bahta of
Sweden swept through the field on the final lap to place third.Despite
her best efforts Britton finished in sixth place in a time of 28.59,
one place behind last year’s champion Sophie Duarte of France. Britton
said “On the last lap, with the other two girls away (Steel & Avery),
it was a medal race and I really just wanted to get that medal. I
tried really hard but my legs just weren’t going. I battled all the
way as I knew every place mattered and I would be devastated if I had
of lost it for the team

Órna runs well under 23.

In the senior men's race {Paul Pollock had a very respectable 23 rd
placing while Waterford's sole representative on the Irish teams Órna
Murray Ferrybank AC in the under 23 race ran very well and was the
first Irish athlete in 40 th place. In the under 23 men's race Kevin
Dooney was 18 th the first Irishman home,he was home from the USA
after a busy season but two other USA based athletes our own Shane
Quinn and Jake Byrne were not available.

Cooper has good result in USA

Kevin Cooper competed in the Boston University Season Opener over 3000
metres last week and had a very good effort finishing second in 8
minutes 19.30 seconds ,the race as won by in 8.14.42

Zakis wins.

140 competed in the Annual Clean Zone Technology Paddy Joe Curran
Memorial 5 miles road race on the Youghal Road Dungarvan on Sunday
Last. First home was Ravis Zakis in 27 minutes 48 seconds, Kevin
Kenneally was second in 28.16 and Rory Wyley third in 28.36,Corina
Walsh was first lady home in 33.33, Tata Rhatigan was second in 34.54
and Deirdre Ansboro was third in 35.37,.proceeds to West Waterford
Hospice.

Baldy Man Run

The Annual Baldy Man Run in Tramore will be on Sunday December 28 that
1 pm in aid of Arch Club and entries can now be made at Total Timing

Winter League

The Winter League continues at the RSC this Thursday at 7 pm
and.breaks then until the new year

Flag Days

Reminder to all members of Waterford AC members of the clubs Annual
Flag Days on Saturday and Sunday December 27 t and 28

 New Year Fixtures

Munster Junior and u 23 Indoor Championships and Juvenile Indoor
Combined Events Nenagh  Sunday January 4 th,10 am, Munster Senior,
Junior and Juvenile Inter County Relay Cross Country Championships WIT
Sports Campus, Carriganore, Sunday January 11 th, National Combined
Events all categories Athlone, Saturday January 17 th, Munster Senior
and Masters Indoor Championships Nenagh  Sunday January 18 th 10.30
am,National Junior Indoors Athlo