Wednesday 29 July 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Barr misses out on Morton Games race

There was disappointment for Thomas Barr at the Morton Games on Friday last as he withdrew due to a hip flexor strain.Kelly Proper won her 200 metres race in 23.54 but again it was outside the world championship qualifying time of 23.20,she tries again in Belgium on Saturday next Niall Tuohy was 9 th in the 800 metres international 1.48.89  the most competitive race of the night won by another Irishman Karl Griffin in 1.47.47  and in the A 800 metres James Ledingham West Waterford was 5 th in 1.51.93 There was a great result in the junior mile as Barry Keane Waterford won it impressively in  4.20.15.with Sean Curran West Waterford 4 th in 4.21.91.

Diamond League

Despite the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th ranked athletes in the World this year competing in the 400 metres hurdles in London last Saturday the race was won in a comparatively slow time of 49.02 seconds by USA Olympic and World silver medallists Michael Tinsley USA. Thomas Barr deciding to run finished 6 th in 49.85- well outside his best of 48.65- but he will have taken some comfort from his effort as the 2 nd ranked athlete in the World this year Johnny Dutch USA was behind him in 7 th place and he has times of 48.13 and 48.20 this year while Michael Stigler the 4 th ranked was just two places in front of him on 49.65 

National Master's

Several titles were won by athletes from Waterford at the National Master's Championships in Tullamore on Sunday. For Waterfiord AC Tom O' Brien won the M 45 long and high jump titles ( the latter for the 5 th successive year ),Mary Ryan Jennings won the F 60 800 metres and was second in the 400 m and 1500 m and third in the shot putt, silver medal winners were Brendan Leahy M 35 100 and 200 m  and Susan Dullaghan F 40 200 m while bronze medals went to Walter Keane M 55 800 m and John Kinsella M35 long jump and javelin. Shane Scanlon Finisk Valley won the M 40 hammer and discus, for  Tramore  Kathleen Marchlewaska was first in the F 40 long jump and discus and Shirley  Fennelly first in F 45 long jump. For West Waterford Joe Gough won a very fast 800 metres M 60. in 2.18.4 and Terri Gough won five titles F 65 and one silver medal.

Órlaith in Georgia

On Wednesday morning Órlaith O'Brien Ferrybank AC competes at the EuropeanYouths Olympic Festival in Tiblisi in Georgia in the javelin preliminary round and if she gets through the final is on Saturday afternoon.

Celtic Games

The Celtic Games under 16 and under 18 International is in Glasgow on Saturday and John Mc Grath and David Murphy are part of the management team.

Piltown10 KM

On Friday next with a 7.30 pm start the final race in the Outfield Sports Three County Challenge Series takes place in Piltown Co Kilkenny Its the Morris Oil10 Km and entries will be taken from 6.30 pm in Piltown
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Great event at RSC

The Inaugural Tón Na Ghaoithe ( wind at your back) sprints meeting at the RSC in Waterford on Tuesday July 21 st was a brilliant success with a huge entry from all over the thirty two counties of very prominent athletes, five races were needed for the men's 100 metres. For Kelly Proper  Ferrybank it was night of mixed fortunes despite winning  the 100 and 200 metres. In the 100 she had a thrilling victory over Phil Healy   Bandon in a personal best time of 11.54 seconds, in the 200 metres still chasing a time of 23.20 to qualify for the World Championships she clocked 23.35 seconds winning by ten metres but with no serious challenger to push her. Other fine winning performances came from Ben Reynolds  Nth Down in the 110 metres hurdles in 13.62, Brian  Gregan Clonliffe Hrs 200 metres in 21.26  and  Jonathan Browning Ballymena 100 metres in 10.59. The other winners were men's javelin Rory Gunning Fr Murphy's  59.83. metres, high jump Barry Pender St Abban's 2.13 and women's javelin Anita White  Dundrum Sth Dublin 46.50 metres, high jump Emily Rogers St Peters 1.65 metres. Many athletes had personal bests on the night. All events were held within the wind allowance for sprints on an unusually calm night at the RSC. Sorcha Murphy Ferrybank was 2 nd in high jump, with 1.60 metres, Dion Ryan Waterford was third in the high jump with 1.88 metres In the graded 100 metres Brendan Leahy Waterford won both of his races in 11.69 and 11.70

Ballymacarbry Results

 The 20 th Annual Ballymacarbry 5 Miles Road Race ( Race 9 Ger  Wyley  Skins Series) was held on Friday last and 170 competed in the run as well as100 in the Walk The following were the results;.Men 1  Kevin  Maunsell  ( Clonmel) 26;26  2 Brian Murphy ( Carrick on Suir ) 27.07 3 Ravis Zakis ( West Waterford ) 27;12. M 40 Pat Lannon ( West Waterford ), M 45  Yev  Chizhikov do M 50 Ray Hahessy  do, M 55 Richard  Meehan  Ballynonty, Junior Jamie Mc Carthy ( Waterford ).Women  1 Maeve Fenton   ( NUI Galway)   32;20 2 Áine Roche ( Clonmel) 32.31 3 Angela  Mc Cann do 32;38. F 35 Caroline O'Donoghue ( Clonmel ) F 40 Karen Ryan (   West Waterford ) F 45 Anna Byrne( Clonmel ) F 50 Phylss Flynn ( West Waterford)  170 competed and proceeds went to Jamie Wall Fund.

Munster B Juvenile Championships

Two athletes from Finisk Valley won titles at the Munster B Juvenile Championships in Ennis on Saturday last. Caoimhe Reynolds won the under 12 high jump and was second in the shot putt and  Corey  Scanlon  won the under 10 long jump and was third in the 500 m.

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Wednesday 22 July 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Two races for Thomas Barr this week end

Fresh from his World University Games victory on Friday week last in South Korea Thomas Barr is back in action this week end in Dublin and London on successive evenings in 400 metres hurdle races On Friday he competes in the Morton Games in Santry Stadium in Dublin and on Saturday he is in the Diamond League meeting in London against a world class field. In this race he may well get the chance to beat his Irish record of 48.65 seconds as to make an impact in the World Championship in Beijing in late August it would appear he may have to be capable of running close enough to 48.2 or 48.3   On Friday in Dublin Kelly Proper competes in the 200 metres again chasing a world qualifying time of 23.20 She clocked 23.36 in Lucerne last week finishing 4 th in her race and Niall Tuohy is in the 800 metres he had a good run in Heusden in an 800 metres on Saturday finishing second in 1.49.3

European Youth Olympics

Órlaith O'Brien Ferrybank AC is on the Irish team in the javelin for the European Youth Olympics in Tiblisi Georgia which takes place from July 25 th to August 1 st.

 Annual Ballymacarbry Race on Friday 

On Friday next July 24 th the 20 th Annual Doocey's bar Balymacarbry 5 miles road race starts at 7.30 pm and entries will be taken at the Community Centre in Ballymacarbry from 6.30 pm. its race 9 in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series. On Friday week July 31 st the final race in the Outfield Sports Series the Morris Oil 10 km is in Piltown Co Kilkenny at 7.30 pm.

National Master's Championships

Tullamore will host the GloHealth National Masters Track and field Championships on Sunday next with many from Waterford clubs competing in various age groups men. and women,first event at 11 am 

Munster ( B ) Juvenile Championships

Ennis is the venue on Saturday next for the Munster ( B ) juvenile Track and Field Championships and they begin at  11 am.

 Schools International

Three athletes from Waterford schools were in Grangemouth Glasgow on Saturday last representing Ireland in an International match. Once again Órlaith O'Brien Ursuline Convent  rose to the occasion to win the javelin event with a throw of 46.56 metres, Diarmuid Clancy Mean Scoil San Nioclás  was 5 th in the 400 metres hurdles in 59.13 and Anne Corcoran Ursuline was 6 th in the shot putt with 11.69 metres. England won the match with Ireland second in front of and Scotland. Wales. 

Gno Na Gaoithe Athletics at RSC

This evening Tuesday at 7 pm an unusual athletic event takes place at the RSC for senior athletes. In  sprints, hurdles,j avelin and high jump  allevents will be held with the wind at the back of the competitors and many of Ireland's top senior athletes will be competing,entries are close


Clashmore details

The following are the results from the 14 th Annual Old Still Bar 5 miles road race in Clashmore on Thursday last another race in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins series
Men 1 Frank Hayes (East Cork ) 28;23 2 Patrick Hennessy ( ind ) 28.52 3 John Leahy ( West Waterford ) 29.09. Category winners;M 40 Peter Duggan ( St Joseph's ) M 45 Yev Chizhikov ( West Waterford ) M 50 Ray Hahessy ( do ) M 55 Walter Keane ( Waterford ) Junior Jamie Mc Carthy do.Ladies1 Sandra Prendergast ( West Waterford ) 34.49 2 Marie Mahony ( ind ) 36;15 3 Leonora Kiely (West Waterford ) 38.07. F 35 Órna Breatnach ( West Waterford ) F 40 Catherine Kiely do, F 45 Brigid Coffey do F 50 Bernie Prendergast do Junior Ó   rnaith Keane ( ind )  90 competed

Woodstown Co Waterford Annual 5 Miles Road Race

130 competed in the Annual Alan Everett Memorial 5 miles Road Race in Woodstown on Friday last and Barry Keane Waterford AC was the very impressive winner in 26 minutes 32 seconds, Niall Sheil ( St Killians ) was second in 26;41  and Noel Murphy ( Waterford ) was third in  27;41. The following were the male category winners M 40 David Smyth ( Waterford ) M 45 Pat Bookle ( St Joseph's )  M 50 Jamesre Grant (ind ) M 55 Brendan Quinn ( Ferrybank ) M 60 Joe Gough ( West Waterford ) Junior Fiachra Mahony ( Waterford ). Jacqui Carthy ( Kilmore ) was first lady home in 30.29, Sally Forristal ( St Joseph's ) was second in 32;35 and  Elaine O'Donovan do was third in  33;31. Junior Niamh Casey ( Ferrybank) F 35 Katherine Grant ( Balance Fitness ) F 40 Susan Lanigan ( St Joseph's ) F 45 Sharon Flynn ( Waterford ) F 50 Gerladine Houlihan ( Carrick on Suir ) F 55 Kathleen Kennedy  Waterford ).proceeds went to Coast Guard.


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Tuesday 7 July 2015

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

World University Games appearance for Thomas Barr

In Gwanju South Korea this week Thomas Barr lines up in another major Championship against some of the Worlds top athletes. At the World University Games he could  have a gruelling few days of competition if he progresses to the final of the 400 metres hurdles. Depending on the number of entries received which hadn't been confirmed at time of writing it may be necessary to run heats,semi final and final on successive days. The heats are listed for Wednesday morning at 8.30 am Irish time, the semi finals on Thursday at 6.50 am and the final on Friday at 11 am.  If smaller  entries than anticipated there may be semi finals and final only on dates and times to be decoded.There is an expectation that Thomas will reach the final and challenge for a medal.

Kelly wins in Germany

On Sunday Kelly Proper had another International victory at a meeting in Rhede in Germany. She won the 200 metres race in 23.43 seconds and it was against a stiff wind.she is expected to run in the Cork City Sports this evening Tuesday as is Niall Tuohy. In the USA  Kevin Cooper had two wins in races in the Boston area last week a 5000 metres in 15 minutes 5 seconds and a two miles in 9 minutes 10 seconds.

National Junior and under 23 Championships

In Tullamore on Sunday a small number of athletes from Waterford clubs competed at the GloHealth National Junior and under 23 Championships and a number of medals were won including two gold.The winners were Phoebe Murphy Ferrybank in the 200 metres  junior in 24.53 seconds and Lisa Houlihan West Waterford in the under 23 pole vault with 2.80 metres,  Seamie Fennell West Waterford was second in the junior pole vault and  Yurig Kanass do was third , another athlete from the same club Megan O'Connor was also third in the junior pole vault and Megan  Kiely  Ferrybank  was third in the under 23  400 metres hurdles. On Sunday Phoebe Murphy was selected on the Irish team for the European Junior Championships in Eskilstuna,Sweden from July 16 th to 19 th. in the 200 metres and 4 X100  Metres relay team.

National juvenile Results

On Day 1 of the Glo HealthNational Juvenile Championshipsin Tullamore on Saturday last  the following were the Waterford results.For Ferrybank there were two silver medals won by Anne Corcoran in the shot putt under 17 and Lauren Sheils under 12 high jump and Kylie Heinen was third in the under 14 high jump. West Waterford won a silver medal with Aoife Hamilton in the steeplechase under 18 and Eoghan Flynn took the bronze medal in the under 18 javelin with a personal best throw of 54.04 metres. Waterford AC had two bronze medal winners Grace Furlong in the long jump under 18 and Cathal Scanlon in the under14 javelin.

Wexford winners in Marine Climb Race

105 competed in the 21 st Annual Marine Climb 6 miles Road Race in the Dungarvan area on Friday last another race in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series. and there were Wexford winners of both the men's and women's sections. Niall Sheil St Killians led the men home in 33 minutes 56 seconds ,Brian Murphy Carrick on Suir was second in 34.34 and Ravis  Zakis West Waterford was third in 35.11. Jacqui Carthy Kilmore  was first lady home in 39.01, Sandra Prendergast was second in 43.07 and Liz  Nnyhan was third in 44.52 both West Waterford. The following were the age category winners. Men M 40 Peter  Duggan St Joseph's,M 45  Yevgeniy Chizikov, M 50 Rah Hahessy both West Waterford,M 55 Walter Keane,Junior Jamie Mc Carthy both Waterford. Women F 35 Patricia  Daly Youghal 59.30, F 40 Caitriona Kiley West Waterford, F 45 Libby Mc Ginn Murphy do, F50 Margaret Conway do 

National Juvenile Day Two and Three

Tullamore will be the venue on Saturday and Sunday next for the next two days of the GloHealth National Juvenile Track and Field Championships and they begin both days at 10 am and there will be two long days of competitions. Many athletes from Waterford clubs will be competing and full timetable is available on Athletics Ireland Website.

Rathgormack Five Miles

Another race in the Outfield sports 3 County Challenge Series the  Autopower Rathgormack 5 miles is on this Friday at 7.30 pm and entries at the venue from 6.30 pm On Thursady July 16 th the rescheduled  Clashmore 5 miles is at 8 pm another race in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series and the following evening  Friday July 17 th the Alan Everett Memorial 5 miles is in Woodstown at 7 pm

RSC Event 

Tuesday evening July 21 st at the RSC for senior athletes there's a Tón Na Ghaoithe  ( Wind at your back) meeting. Events include 100 m,Sprint Hurdles , two invitational 200 metres races,javelin and high jump.More details to follow or see Athletics Ireland website.


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