Tuesday 30 June 2015

Marathon races were very successful and enjoyable events

Almost 2000 competed in the WLR/ FM Viking Marathon,Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon in the city and Tramore areas last Saturday and crowds came out all along the route and at the finish at the RSC to cheer on the runners from all over Ireland and abroad also,'the main beneficiary will be Pieta House The two winners of the Marathon were both favourites Tom Hogan Sliabh Bhui Rovers Wexford in the men's and the holder for previous two years Pauline Curley Tullamore in the women's and both won decisively. Mary B Ryan Jennings Waterford AC five times National Marathon champion set a new Irish record in the over 60 category returning a time on 3.35.02  Many from the Waterford area competed in each race and lots of charities will benefit from their exertions. The Gardai and many voluntary organisations and volunteers helped out and overall it was a most enjoyable event and a major undertaking by the organisers..The following are the main results of each race with full results available on Precision Timing. com Marathon Men 1 Tom Hogan (Sliabh Bhui Rovers) 2.33.13  2  Paul Lynch do 2.36.05 3 Alain Mc Claren (Stade Geneve ) Switzerland 2.37.45. Women 1 Pauline   Curley ( Tullamore) holder 2.52.38 2 Sally Forristal ( St Joseph,s ) 3.14.24 3 Sandra Lynch ( Kilcoole) 3.23.34. Wheelchair Gerry Forde Blarney Half Marathon Men 1 Freddie Keron Sittuk  ( Raheny  Shamrocks ) 70.46 2 David Mansfield ( Clonliffe ) 70.53 3 Keith Russell ( Reading ) 75.17. Women 1 Ann Marie Holland ( Youghal 73.46 2 Tara Malone ( Enniskillen ) 78.24 3 Anne Dorris ( Midleton ) 79.54. Qtr Marathon Men 1 Alan O'Shea ( Bantry ) 34.06 2 Noel Murphy ( Waterford ) 36.03 3 Ruari O Donnell ( Ferrybank ) 36.39, Women 1 Sandra Fitzpatrick ( Ballyroan/Abbeyleix )  46.51 2 Janet Quinlan ( Saturday Road Runners ) 46.58 3 Melisa Murphy ( Ind ) 47.04 Locals among the category winners were as follows; Marathon M 40  Brian Murphy ( Carrick on Suir) 4th overall,  Half Marathon M 50 Martin Mc Carthy ( West Waterford ) M55 Una Ui Mhuirrithe ( Ind ) Qtr Marathon M 45 Ray Hahessy ( West Waterford )
International Results
On Thursday last Kelly Proper ran a seasons best in finishing second in a 200 metres race at a Grand Prix meeting in Stockholm. She clocked 23.24 seconds which is just outside the World Championship qualifying standard of 23.20.On Saturday she was in action in Nivelles Belgium in a 100 metres race and finished 4 th in her heat with a personal best time  of 11.57 seconds and also finished 4 th in the final with 11.59. At the same meeting Ben Kiely was third in a 400 metres hurdles in 53.16. and James Ledingham West Waterford was 8 th in an 800 metres in 1.52.5. In Manheim in Germany Phoebe Murphy was 4 th in a 100 metres B final in 12.04 seconds and in Walford near Manchester also on Saturday Niall Tuohy was  a very close 4 th in a very rough 800 metres in 1.49.49  the race was won in 1.49.05 and at the same meeting Seán Curran West Waterford ran a personal best of 3.56.57 in the 1500 metres..  In Dublin;s Phoenix Park on Saturday afternoon Brendan Quinn was 7 th in the Irish Runner Five Miles road race. in 25.01.the race was won by Mick Clohessy Raheny in 23.47. 
Munster Senior and Masters
At the Munster Championship meeting in Templemore Ferrybank had two senior winners Andrew Connick in the 5000 metres and Neasa Murphy in the high jump,Pat Kennedy won the over 55 hammer. For Waterford AC Kevin Fitzgerald was second in the senior javelin and shot putt and In the masters the following were their winners; Pascal Halley o45 long jump ,800m, high jump,400m, Martin Halley o 50 100 m,Claudia Lane Mary o 45 800m, Nicola Hayes o 35 100m, high jump and discus, PJ Guinan o45 1500m, Walter Keane o 55 3000 m,Jacinta  Power o 40 discus Johnathan Brazil o 35 javelin Suzanne Dullaghan o 40 400m, men's 4 x 100 m relay. For West Waterford in the Master's Joe Gough had a treble in the over 60 200,400 and 800 metres. the other winners were; Harry O'Brien 1500m o 50 and Brendan Moran 055 100m. for Tramore Shirley Fennelly won the 200 m,long jump and javelin o 45.  Each club won silver and bronze medals also. 
Community Games Finals
Ten Communities participated in the County Community Games Athletics finals at the RSC on Sunday last in very pleasant conditions.After a parade of all the Communities Edel Morrissey Chairperson of the Waterford Community Games welcomed all  and thanked all the volunteers. The games pledges were then read by Mark Hartery Tramore in English and by Murphy in Irish from CARA. The award for best turned out Community went to Ballyduff Upper and Tramore won the Best Overall community from Aglish/Ballinameela and Ballyduff Upper..
National  Championships in Tullamore
This week end sees two National Championship fixtures in Tullamore on Saturday and Sunday. Day 1 of the National Juveniles goes ahead on Saturday starting at am and going on all day until 5.30 pm . On Sunday its the national Junior and under 23 fixture and that starts at .On Both days lots of athletes from Waterford clubs will and as usual titles are expected to the county. be competing
Cork City International Sports
On Tuesday next the Annual Cork City International Sports will have top class entries from many countries and Waterford's best will be among them including Kelly Proper and Niall Tuohy.
More Fixtures
Other July fixtures; Wednesday 8 th to Tuesday 14 th World University Games in Korea,( Thomas Barr competing).  Saturday and Sunday 11 th and 12 th National Juvenile Day's 2 and 3 Tullamore, Wednesday 15 th to 19 th World Youth Championships, Colombia,Thursday 16 th too Sunday 19 th European Junior Championships Sweden 
Road Races
Friday July 10 th Outfield Sports 3 County Challenge Rathgormack 5 miles 7.30 pm Friday July 17 th Alan Everett Memorial 5 miles Woodstowmn 7 pm.    


Tuesday 23 June 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

4th Annual WLR/FM Viking Marathon on Saturday


Another great days sport and enjoyment is forecast for the WLR/FM Viking races on Saturday next over the full Marathon distance; half marathon and quarter marathon starting near City Hall at 9 pm. Parts of the inner city will be covered and for the Marathon itself the runners will hit theTramore area with all finishes at RSC with lots of bands and sideshows along the route and at the RSC. Course details can be found on the Marathon website All participating are asked to obey the stewards at all times, and avoid running any more than three abreast at any time and be aware of cats eyes on roads which if covered up by too many runners spread out in front can be a problem re tripping Take water on board during the event and motorists are advised of delays around the route. A special request to those who have entered and find they are not able to compete on Saturday, please do not give your number to someone else to run as this causes havoc to those making up results, In the past men have given their numbers to women and vica versa and its not rocket science to know what that means to the result system. No entries on the day and entries closed earlier this week.

Thomas has two more fine runs

Competing in another world class 400 metres hurdles in Herakloin in Greece for Ireland in the European Team Championship League 1 on Saturday Thomas Barr finished second in 49.66 seconds just behind the winner Rasmus Magi Estonia who clocked 49.59 and   Keirium  Hassan Switzerland was third in 49.96 the winner was second in the European Championships last year.Then on Sunday Thomas ran a blinder on the Irish 4 x 400 metres relay team. Running second he took over the baton in 4 th   spot but he handed it over giving Ireland the lead and in a close finish the team were third. Ireland finished 6th of the 11 teams competing,their best performance ever in the Championships
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Limerick wins

At a meeting in Limerick on Saturday involving UL, Harvard and Yale Universities three athletes from Ferrybank competed and two won their events and the other was third.Niall Tuohy won the 400 metres in 47.88,  Órlaith O'Brien won the javelin and Phoebe Murphy was third in the 100 metres in 12.04. In Bedford on Saturday Ben Kiely finished second in his heat of the 400 metres hurdles at the under 23 English Championships in 52.64 and finished 4 th in the final on Sunday in 53.07.

Munster Senior and Masters Championships

Templemore is the venue on Sunday next for the Munster Senior and Master's Track and Field Championships and Waterford will be well represented at the fixture which gets under way at 10 am for the hammer event and walks at 11 am.

International Races

On Thursday Kelly Proper runs in Gothenburg and on Saturday in Nivelles in Belgium in 200 metres races,  and Ben Kiely also runs there in a 400 metres  hurdles. On Saturday Phoebe Murphy is in Mannheim,Germany in a 100 metres Niall Tuohy is in Manchester for an 800 metres.

National fixtures in Tullamore

On Saturday and  Sunday next two National under age fixtures are in Tullamore the Combined events for under 14 to 16 on Saturday and the National Children's Games under 9 to 11 as well as the relays in the same age groups on Sunday.Looking ahead to the next week end Tullamore is also the venue on Saturday July 4 th for Juvenile Championships day 1 and on Sunday July 5 th National Junior and under 23 championships 

 HSE Community Games Finals

On Sunday next at the RSC with an 11 am start the County Community Games Athletic Finals take place with Communities competing from all over the County.

Órlaith sets another record

Several athletes from Waterford schools competed in the Tailteann Games under 17 Inter Provincial Track and Field meeting in Morton Stadium on Friday last and Órlaith O'Brien Ursuline Convent had yet another record breaking victory in the javelin with a throw of 45.67 metres beating the old mark by over 2 metres, Aoife Hamilton Meanscoil San Nioclás was second in the steeplechase,Diarmuid Clancy do was second in the 400 metres hurdles and third placings went to Anne Corcoran Ursuline in the shot putt  Kathleen Heery do in the discus and Orla O'Connor Waterpark in the walk

Murphy wins Dromana 5.

160 competed in the Annual Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 miles road race on Friday last from Villierstown to Cappoquin race 7 in the Ger    Wyley   Sports Skins Series. Brian Murphy Carrick on Suir won in 26 minutes 26 seconds,Danny Smyth Ballynonty Tipperary was second in 27.24  and John Leahy West Waterford was third in 28.20. First lady home was Corina Walsh in 31.43,Sandra Prendergast was second in 33.29 and Diana Chizhikova was third in 36.39  all from West Waterford

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Thomas Barr and Kelly Proper in Greece

On Saturday and Sunday next Ireland compete in the European First League team championships in Herakloin, Greece  and Thomas Barr and Kelly Proper will be there part of the Irish team. Thomas will run in the 400 metres hurdles and also the 4 x 400 metres relay and Kelly is in the 200 metres and possibly the relay also. The 400 m hurdles is on Saturday and the 200 metres and relays on Sunday. 

Leixlip International

Two athletes from Ferrybank AC competed at the Leixlip International meeting on Saturday last and both had very good times in their events. Niall Tuohy ran his fastest time ever over 800 metres of 1.48.28. to finish second in while Ben Kiely recorded a season's best in the 400 metres hurdles of 51,73 in finishing 7 th. At the Laois Games on Saturday Hayley Fitzimmons Ferrybank set a new A40 shot putt record and also won the javelin with a season's best.

Lots of Munster titles won at RSC.

On Saturday and Sunday last the Munster under 14 to 19 championships were held at the RSC and athletes from Waterford clubs won many titles.Waterford AC had a hugely successful week end winning a total of  9 gold medals by the following athletes ;Emma Caulfield, u 15 walk, Órla O'Connor u 16 walk,  Hannah Jacob u17 walk, Luke O'Brien,u 17 javelin, Dion Ryan,u 17 high jump, Conor Quinn u18 800 m, Barry Keane u 19 800 m. James Murphy u 16 triple jump and Cathal Scanlon u 14 javelin, Silver medals went to Dion Ryan u 17 high jump, Sarah Jacob u 14 shot putt ,Niamh Denn u 16 discus, Ruth Heery, u 16 walk, Kathleen Heery,u 17 hammer and discus, Gwyneth Blair, u18 100 m, Lance Baylan u 16 triple jump,Grace Furlong u 18 long jump, Barry Keane u 19 1500 m Evan Keane, u17 800 m, David McGlynn,u 171500 m and 3000 m, Dion Ryan, Paul Sullivan u18 triple jump and Fiachra Mahony u19 3000m,. Bronze medals won by Emily O'Mahony, u 15 long jump, Sarah Jacob u 14 discus, James Murphy u 16 high jump, Evan Keane u 17 1500 m Anna O'Connor u 16 walk, Gwyneth Blair, 100 m hurdles u 18, Cathal Scanlon u 14 discus, Dion Ryan u 17 shot putt u 14 discus Shane Cawley u 14 hammer, and Dion Ryan.u 17 shot putt and Conor Quinn u 18 1500 m.

European qualifying throw

For Ferrybank AC there were 9 wins also by Órlaith O ‘Brien in the under 17 javelin with a new championship best performance of 49.26 metres a European Youth Olympic standard. The other winners were Katie Murphy u 17 100 and 200 m, Anne Corcoran u 17 shot putt,Jake Bagge u 15 800 m, Steven Walsh u 19 200 m, Eoin Kenny u 15 javelin, Neasa Murphy u 19  high jump,,Órla Queally u 19 1500 m,  Sillver medas went to Steven Walsh u 19 400 m, Emily Goff u 16 800m, Sinéad O' Regan u 17 long jump,Niamh Casey u 18  3000 m, Jake Bagge u 15 1500 m, and bronze medal winners were Sinéad O'Regan u 17 long jump, Darren Coleman u 18 hurdles, Frankie Dolphin u 17 hurdles, Kylie Heinen u 14 high jump, Cormac Mc Cann u 18 100m, Niamh Casey u 18 1500m and Hassan Ali u 15. javelin

Four wins

 West Waterford AC had four winners and these were Eoghan Flynn u 18 javelin and discus,,Séamie Fennell u19 pole vault with a record of 4 metres and Aoife Hamilton u 18  steeplechase, silver medals were won by ,Craig Cloona u 16 pole vault, Eoghan Flynn u 18 discus,Aoife Hamilton u 18 1500 m, Sam O'Neill and Patricjk Fitzgerald joint second pole vault u 15, Aoife Lai u 16 pole vault, Ciarán O'Maoileán u 17 hammer and bronze medals to Caoimhe Dwyer u 17 triple jump and Dylan Walsh u 17 javelin. and Michael Troy u17 100 m. For Tramore Denise O'Connor was first in the 100 and 400 metres hurdles u18 and third in the high jump and Kate Flavin was third in the hurdles.. .

Schools Interprovincial in Santry

On Friday next with a 1.30 pm start the Tailteann Schools Interprovincial will be held in Santry Stadium Dublin and several athletes from Waterford schools are on the Munster selection.. On Sunday the National Juvenile Team Championships are in Tullamore as well as the national under 14,15 and 16 combined events. On Sunday week Templemore in County Tipperary will be the venue for the Munster Senior and Masters Championships

Annual Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 Miles

On Friday next June 19 th with an road race 8 pm start the 23 rd Annual Dromana 5 miles from Villierstown to Cappoquin along a very scenic route is another race in the Ger Wyley sports Skins Series;Entries will be taken at Villierstown Community Hall from 6.45 pm and presentation of prizes will be in Danny Flynn's Bar Cappoquin The WLRFM Viking Marathon ,Half Marathon and quarter Marathon will be held in the City on Saturday week 27 th at 9 am hopefully by now all competing have entered



Tuesday 9 June 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Thomas  Barr sets record in Rome

Competing in a world class 400 metres hurdles race In Rome at the Diamond League meeting on Friday last Thomas Barr Ferrybank AC had a super run to finish a very close fourth in his fastest time ever of 48.65 seconds a new Irish record beating the previous mark of 48.90 which he himself set. The race was won by Johnny Dutch USA in 48.13 seconds, Michael Wilson do was second in 48.34 and Javier Culson Puerto Rico was third in the same time as Barr just inches in front of him. The second and third home were silver and bronze medallists at the London Olympics in 2012 and all nine runners in the race had season's best times. With the World Championships coming up in August Thomas is currently ranked joint 5 th in the World.he is due to compete in Leixlip next Saturday.

Kelly wins in Geneva

Having her second race of the season Kelly Proper had a very good result and win in Geneva in Switzerland on Saturday last She won the International 200 metres race in 23.26 seconds not so far off her best time, Hanne  Cloes Belgium was second in 23.29 and Joelle Golay Sweden third in 23.40. The qualifying standard for the World Championships in Beijing in August and the Olympics next year is 23.20. with lots of races coming up Kelly should make a bold bid to get the standards.

Juvenile Championships in Cork

On Saturday and Sunday last the Munster under 9 to under 13  championships were in Cork IT and the following are the Waterford results.For Ferrybank AC there were wins by Praise Oweye under 13 80 metres and long jump Petra Igwe under 9 in the 60 metres and long jump and herself and Stella Smith won the team event, Katie Nolke was second in the high jump under 12, Henry Pimm  second in long jump under 9, and Rafiat Oladitu was second in in the long jump u 12. Waterford AC had bronze medal winners with Jack Corcoran u 12 high jump, Evan Hayes u 13 high jump and Raad Khan in shot putt u 13.

Carrick on Suir Race

142 competed in the Deadman's 5 miles road race in Carrick on Suir on Friday last and the clear winner in 24 minutes 45 seconds was Kevin  Maunsell Clonmel who led from the gun,in second place was Niall Sheil St Killian's County Wexford in 26.26 an Danny Smyth  Ballynonty was third in 26.36 with Noel Murphy Waterford 4 th in 26.51.Siobhan O'Doherty Borrisokane won the ladies section very easily also i 28.26, Sally  Forristal  St Joseph's was second in 31.47 and Angela Mc Cann Clonmel was third in 32.33 .It was race 3 of the Outfield Sports 3 County Challenge and as always well organised by  Carrick on Suir  Road Runners.

PJ Scollard wins Kilmacow Run

297 competed in the Annual Little South run in Kilmacow on Sunday last. The overall winner was.PJ Scollard Waterford in 21 minutes 54 seconds, Andrew Smith Coolquill was second in 21.57 and John Mc Grath United Strider's was third in 21.59. Jacqui Carthy Kilmore was first lady home in 23.20 ,Adele Walsh St Senan's was second in 24.00 and Sharon Cleere was third in 24.32.

Munster Juvenile Championships at RSC

On Saturday and Sunday next the Munster under 14 to 19 Track and Field Championships are at the RSC in the City with an 11 am start both days and many athletes from Waterford clubs will compete. Please note hammer competitions on Saturday at 9.30 am.

Road Races

This Friday June 12 th is the date for the 14 th Annual Clashmore 5 miles ( Race 6 Ger  Wyley Sports Series at 8 pm  On Sunday  June 14 th  at 12 noon the Pink Rock 10 km is in the New Ross area. 

Further Track and Field fixtures

June 11 th and 12 th Munster under 14 to 19 RSC Waterford June  25 th   National Juvenile Games Tullamore June 25 th

Insurance

It has come to the County Board's attention that various 'Running groups' are in existence in the county, outside of the club scene. Various group names have appeared in recent road races and these running groups have a strong presence on Facebook and other social media outlets. Just a quick note to re-iterate the fact that unregistered people running in such groups are not insured.with Athletics Ireland Insurance It must also be stated that registered club members participating in these running groups are not covered either .Athletics Ireland clearly states:Athletic Ireland membership provides third party insurance cover for our members. This covers an athlete at OFFICIAL training sessions organised by Athletic's Ireland official clubs Anyone needing clarification on the issue can contact County Secretary John Behan or County Chairman Brian Scanlon. On the question of races .once a permit is issued through AAI or an Athletic Club for an event they are basically giving their own insurance to it and it covers all taking part and any members of the public, stewards, helpers etc for Public Liability ONLY


Friday 5 June 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

There were a number of good performances by athletes from Waterford schools at the All Ireland Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships in Tullamore on Saturday last. There were wins by Seamie Fennell St Augustine's College in the senior pole vault with 4.20 metres and Órlaith O'Brien Ursuline Convent in the intermediate javelin with 43.29 metres, silver medals were won by Yuri Kanash St Augustine's College in the senior pole vault and Eoghan Flynn CBS Dungarvan in the senior discus. bronze medals were won by Sean Curran CBS Dungarvan senior 1500 metres, Megan Dunford in the senior pole vault and Craig Cloona again in the pole vault both St Augustine..Athletes to just miss out on medals with 4 th placings were Barry KeaneSt Declan's Kilmacthomas senior 1500 metres, Órla O'Connor Waterpark intermediate walk, Rachel Steven's Gael Scoil Phortlairge junior discus, Anne Corcoran Ursuline intermediate shot putt, Ruth Heery Waterpark  junior walk, Hannah Jacob do junior walk,Sarah Jacob Ursuline minor shot putt. Phoebe Murphy who competes with Ferrybank AC won the senior 100 metres in 11.74 and 200 metres in 24.19 representing Loreto Clonmel and Grace Furlong who competes with Waterford AC was 4th in the intermediate triple jump for New Ross CBS. . 

Touraneena 5 KM Road Race.

230 competed in the Touraneena 5 k road race last Friday evening race 5 of the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series and the winner was Kevin Maunsell Clonmel in 15 minutes and 1 second, David Mansfield Clonliffe Hrs was second in 15.41 and Brian Murphy Carrick on Suir was third in 15.51. Sylvia Malone Waterford was first lady home in 18.28, Corina Walsh was second in 19.00 and Sandra Prendergast was third in 19.36 both West Waterford.The age category winners were as follows; Men M 40 David Ryan Clonmel, M 45 P J Guinan Waterford ,M 50 John Walsh Clonmel, M 55 Walter Keane Waterford, Junior Liam Reilly West Waterford. Women F 35 Mary Molloy Carrick on Suir, F 40 Caitriona Gough Waterford, F 45 Brigid Coffey (West Waterford ) F 50 Josie Ui Chuirrin ( Ind ), Junior Marie O'Donovan.( Ind).

Munster Juvenile Championships

On Saturday and Sunday next the Munster under 9 to 13 track and field Championships are at Cork IT Track and there will be two long days of competition. Lots of athletes from  Waterford clubs will complete and these events are a learning experience for very young compete, the full programme is on Munster Athletics website and check in both days is from 9.30 am to 10.15 pm.

Road Races

This Friday June 5 th the next race in the Outfield Sports 3 County Challenge is the Deadman's 5 miles in Carrick on Suir at 7.30 pm sharp,entries from 6.15 in Carrick Swan's Hall in Carrick.On Sunday next June 7 th  with a 2 pm start the Little South 4 miles run and walk  is in Kilmacow and entries in Kilmacow from12 .45 pm. Friday week June 12 th is the date for the 14 th Annual Clashmore 5 miles race 6 Ger Wyley sports Series at 8 pm  On Sunday week June 14 th  at 12 noon.14 the Pink Rock 10 km is in the new Ross area. 

Further Track and Field fixtures


June 11th and 12 th Munster under 14 to 19 RSC Waterford June  25 th National Juvenile Games Tullamore