Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Barr wins in Belgium

Three athletes from Ferrybank AC competed in an International meeting in Oordegem in Belgium on Saturday last and all three did well.Thomas Barr easily won the 400 metres hurdles in another very good time of 49.50 seconds,Michael Bartheel Germany was second in 50.61 and another Irish athlete Jason Harvey was third in 51.16. Making her first outdoor appearance of the season Kelly Proper ran in the 200 metres and finished a close third in 24.00 seconds the race was won by Tessa Van Shagen  Holland in 23,89 and  Phoebe Murphy won a pre program 100 metres race in 12.13 seconds. In Belfast also on Saturday Niall Tuohy Ferrybank won an 800 metres race in 1.49.3 while in Templemore Paschal Halley Waterford was second in the National Combined Events Championship over 35.

County Juvenile Championships conclude

Sunday last was the final day of the County Juvenile Track and Field Championships at the RSC and in ideal weather all the clubs in the county were represented and all figured in the medals West Waterford,  Ferrybank,  Tramore,  KCK and Finisk Valley. Two athletes won four titles each  Caoimhe Dwyer West Waterford under 17 and Evan Hayes Waterford under 13. Five had trebles and these were Jack Corcoran u 12, James Murphy u 16 both Waterford, Praise Oweye Ferrybank u 3, Padraig Fitzgerald KCK u 14 and Sam O'Neill West Waterford u15 Doubles were had by Cathal Scanlon Waterford u 14, Kathleen Heery do u 16, Emily O'Mahony do u 17, Rachel Stephens do u 17,Grace Furlong do u 18, Mark Hartery Tramore u 16, Hanifah Busairi do u 16, Denise O'Connor do u 18 and Eoin Killigrew West Waterford u 15. The County Board wish to thank all who helped out on the day., Full results now with all clubs and also on Waterford AC website 

Ardmore 5 Miles

The 20 th Annual Old Still Bar 5 miles road race was held in Ardmore last  Friday evening and 180 competed . Brian Murphy Carrick on Suir was first home in 25 minutes 31 seconds, John Meade St Finbarr's was second  in 26.09 and Noel Murphy Waterford was third in 26.58. First lady home was Corina Walsh West Waterfoord in 31.49, Maebh Fenton NUI Galway was second in 32.18 and Sandra Prendergast West Waterford was third in 32.57 It was race 4 of the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Seies

All Ireland Schools finals on Saturday

The GloHealth All Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships are in Tullamore on Saturday next and many athletes  from Waterford schools will be competing . After several local winning performances at the Munster finals recently it is expected quite a few will challenge strongly for Irish titles. The day's very long programme of events begins at 9 am and full timetable is on Athletic Ireland website

 20 th Annual Touraneena 5 km on Friday

Race 5 in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series will be held in Touraneena co Waterford on Friday next at 8 pm over 5 Km.The venue is just off the Dungarvan/Clonmel road.Entries will be taken at the Community Centre in the village and the race starts nearby. A walk will also take place with the Ann Power Memorial Shield going to the winner.Other road races coming up in early June are the Deadman's 5 miles in Carrick on Suir on Friday June 5 th at 7.30 pm in Outfield Sports Series and Kilmacow 4 miles on Sunday June 7 th at 2 pm.

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Diamond League placing for Thomas Barr

On  Friday last Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) finished in third place in the 400m Hurdles in a world class time of 48.99 seconds at the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Doha Qatar.  He was drawn in lane seven for the race with two of the pre-race favourites Bershawn Jackson (USA) and Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) drawn inside him. Despite the explosive start by Jackson, Barr ran his own race and stormed through the field over the last 100m to finish in third place in a time of 48.99. just behind Culson. Jackson won the race in a world leading time of 48.09 with Culson second in 48.96 seconds.  Both Jackson (2008) and Culson (2012) claimed the bronze medals at the last two Olympic Games. so Thomas was in good company.The time for Thomas was well inside the qualifying standard of 49.40 for next years Olympics and closes in on his own Irish record of 48.90 which he set last year. It is a big year for Thomas with the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Beijing in August the major goal. His  next Race is in Oordegem in Belgium on Saturday next

 Munster Schools titles aplenty won

Athletes from Waterford schools won fifteen titles at the Munster Schools Championships at Cork IT Track on Saturday last. The following were the winners;Senior; Steven Walsh St Declan's  Kilmacthomas 200 metres with a p.b. of 22.41 Michael Dineen Newtown School shot putt,  Seamie  Fennell St Augustine's pole vault. Intermediate; Diarmuid Clancy Mean Scoil San Nioclás 400 metres hurdles, Eoghan Flynn CBS  Dungarvan  discus and javelin, Dion Ryan Waterpark high jump,  Órla O'Connor  Waterpark walk, Órlaith O'Brien Ursuline javelin, Ryan O'Neill St Augustine's pole vault. Junior; Ruth Heery Waterpark walk,Rachel Stephens Gael Scoil Phortlairge discus, Craig Cloona St Augustine's pole vault. Minor; Jake Bagge Ard Scoil na Mara Tramore 800 m, Sarah Jacob Ursuline shot putt. Phoebe Murphy Presentation Clonmel who does her  club running with Ferrybank won the senior 100 and 200 metres both inside European Junior standards. Many silver and bronze medals were also won and full results on Munster schools athletics website

  Faithlegg win for  Brian Murphy

Over 200 competed in the Faithlegg Golf Course 5 miles run last Friday and Brian Murphy Carrick on Suir won in 26 minutes 53 seconds, Ian O'Byrne was second in 28.17 and PJ Scollard third in 28.50 both Waterford AC. First lady home was Órna Murray Ferrybank in 31.21,  Maebh Savage was second in 33.50 and Joan Mahony third in 34.27 both Waterford AC. The category winners were as follows Men; junior  Zac Daly Faithlegg GC, M40 Seamus Doyle Balance Fitness,  M45 Rd Hayes Waterford, M 50 Michael Clarke Saturday Road runners, M 55 Walter Keane Waterford  Women F 35 Katherine Grant Balance Fitness, F 40 Catriona Gough Focus on Fitness, F45 Jacinta Brazil Waterford, F50 Una Ui Mhuirithe( Ind)

Other Results

Niamh Whelan Ferrybank was second in the 100 metres  in 12.45 seconds and third in the 200 metres in 25.18 at the AAI Games in Santry on Sunday  running into a strong headwind in both events. Noel Murphy Waterford AC won the Stoneyford 10 km on Sunday last in 33 minutes 57 seconds Adele Walsh St Senan's was first lady home in 38.52 and Kate Nolan Focus on Fitness was third in 40.25.

Oordegem meeting

 Following athletes from Ferrybank to compete in Oordegem , Belgium.next Saturday Phoebe Murphy 100m, Kelly Proper 200m, ( to be confirmed ) Niamh Whelan 100m & 200m, Thomas Barr 400m hurdles.   Ferrybank  ladies compete in the first round of the league on Sunday in  Templemore  with a below strength team..

County Championships Day 2

Sunday next with an 11 am start the second day of the County Juvenile Championships are at the RSC. Sprint hurdles will start off the day on the track and these events require lots of preparation, someone trying them out first time on Sunday is not recommended in any age group.All clubs are long aware that athletes can compete in their own age groups in individual events but can move up just ONE age group for relays. With all clubs helping out with officials like day 1 it should be a smooth running event and athletes being allowed to leave a field event to compete in a running event adds to the smoothness also.

Ardmore 5 Miles

This Friday  May 22 nd the 20 th Annual An Tobar Bar 5 miles road race is in Ardmore Co Waterford at 8 pm, its another race in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series, entries in Ardmore GAA Pavilion from 7 pm. also  Gaultier Community Games Evening at RSC 6.30 pm. Competitors from Passage,Cheekpoint and Dunmore areas only contact 087 6889330.

Track and Field in May

Saturday next May 23 rd Munster Under 9 to 19 Relays Ennis, Saturday and Sunday May 23  rd and 24 th National Combined Events senior, junior, youths, masters,  Templemore, Sunday 24 th First Round National league, Saturday 30 th All Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships  Tullamore

More Road Races

Friday June 5 th Deadmans 5 Miles Carrick on Suir 7.30 pm Outfield Sports Series, Sunday June 7 th Little South 4 miles in Kilmacow 2 pm. Sunday June 14 th Pink Rock 10 km New Ross area 12 noon.

Summer Camp

Forest Feast Athletic Summer Camps will give children aged 6 to 12- this age group only- a chance to try a whole range of fun athletic activities track and field for a week and one such camp is being organised at the RSC from June 29 th to July 3 rd  by Ferrybank AC on behalf of Athletics Ireland. it is open to children from all clubs or children from no clubs at all. Cost per week €50 with a €10 discount for a second child. T Shirt,Water Bottle,Spike Bag, medal and cert included  Contact 087 6889330 and please book early to avoid disappointment. See Athletics Ireland  website for further details.

Treacy's record broken

In Stretford in England last Saturday 17 years old Kevin Mulcaire Ennis broke John Treacy's 40 year old record in the Irish junior 5000 metres by two seconds his time was14.02.30

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Thomas Barr in Diamond League  on Friday

Doha in Qatar is the venue on Friday for a round of the Diamond League and Thomas Barr runs in a top class field in the 400 metres hurdles. On recent form Thomas may run his fastest ever 400 m hurdles there and can gain a podium position. Niall Tuohy has two races lined up in England on Friday in Stretford and Tuesday next in Manchester both over 800 metres and Niamh Whelan is in the AAI games on Sunday.

Munster Schools Finals

Cork CIT track hosts the Munster Secondary Schools Track and Field finals on Saturday next and lots of boys and girls from Waterford schools will compete there, first event of a very long day will be at 9.30 am, full timetable on Munster schools Athletic website. On Sunday Waterford will be represented in the AAI Games In Santry first event 11.30 am see  Athletic Ireland Website for time table.

Two wins in France

On Sunday last at a meeting in France Ben Kiely won a 400 metres hurdles in a tome of 52.22 well up to his best time and Niamh Whelan won her 200 metres race in a very windy conditions in 25,67.

County Championships Day One

The RSC on Sunday last was the venue for the County Track and Field Championships for juveniles section 1 and all the clubs in the county were represented. Competition was keen in the majority of events and alll clubs got among the medals.One athlete had four wins Sarah Obullo Wateford AC under 9 and trebles were recorded by the following athletes,Caoimhe Dwyer do under 17,  Denise O'Connor Tramore u 18, Jake Bagge Ferrybank u 15, Radeem Eddy Waterford u 10,Fifteen had doubles and these were Girls, Kianna Fitzgerald u 10, Molly Comerford u 11, Praise Oweye u 12, all Ferrybank, Sarah Heery u 12 , Emily O'Mahony u15 both Waterford, Aoife O'Brien u 14, Aoife Hamilton u 18 both West Waterfor'  Boys Tadg Corcoran u 9, Jack Corcoran u 12, Cathal Scanlon all Waterford. David Igwe,u 11 Hassan Ali u 16, Cormac Mc Cann u 18  all Ferrybank, Shane Monagle Tramore and Eoghan Flynn West Waterford. For Finisk Valley there were wins by  Cian Moore u 9 and Chloe Morrissey u 10 and for An Ghaeltacht by Liosa Keevers u 10.  Full set of results now with all clubs. 

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Waterford  boys tops

Athletes from Waterford schools dominated the East Munster Boys Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships at the RSC on Wednesday last The following had doubles;Senior Steven Walsh St Declan's, Kilmacthomas 200 and 400 metres, Michael Dineen Newown school shot putt and javelin, Jamie Mc Kelvey St Augustine's hammer and discus, Intermediate; Eoghan Flynn Dungarvan CBS shot putt and discus, Diarmuid Clancy Mean Scoil San Nioclás 400 metres and 400 metres hurdles,James Murphy Árd Scoil na Mara Tramore high jump and triple jump. Minor; Jake Bagge Árd Scoil na Mara 200 and 1500 metres. St Augustine's won the intermediate and senior cups and De La Salle were best overall.The following were the other winners;Senior 100 m Senan Freyne  St Augustine's,800 m Aaron Vogelaar Newtown,1500 m Sean Curran Dungarvan CBS, 3000 m Fiachra O'Mahony De La Salle, Steeplechase Liam Reilly St Augustine's, pole vault Seamie Fennell do Relay St Augustine's. Intermediate 200 m OisínKiely Árd Scoil na Mara, shot putt Sean Murray Dungarvan CBS, pole vault Andrej Oloh St Augustine,s,1500 m Jamie Mc Carthy St Declan's ,3000 m Miceál Power St Augustines, steeplechase,Tom Looby do hammer Ciaran O' Maileoin do, relay St Declan's. Junior;1500 m Aaron Donnelly Abbey CC, pole vault Craig Cloona St Augustine's, javelin Hassan Ali De La Salle..Relay De La Salle. Minor ,shot putt Samuel Matte Waterpark, 1500 m  Senan Travers St Augustine's.

Tom Jordan Memorial

195 competed in the 5 th Annual Tom Jordan Memorial 5 miles road race in Portlaw on Friday last in wet conditions, race 2 of the Outfield Sports 3 County Challenge Series.The impressive winner was Kevin Maunsell Clonmel AC in 24 minutes 55 seconds,.David Mansfield Garda and Clonliffe Hrs was second in 25.15 and Brian Murphy Carrickon Suir was third in 25.24. First lady home in 29.54 was Clare Annan Clonmel,second was Sylvia Malone Waterford AC in 30.24 and Anna Leigh Hore Kilmore Co Wexford was third in 30.51.Locals to win their age categories were as follows; Men o 40 Frank Quinlan,o 45 Richard Hayes both Waterford,o 50 Ray Hahessy West Waterford, o 55 Walter Keane Waterford.junior Mark Condon do Ladies o 35 Maebh Savage do, o 50 Liz Nolan o 55 Bernie Prendergast West Waterford.The proceeds went to Portlaw Branch Irish Red Cross.

Track and Field Fixtures May

Saturday next 16 th Munster Schools Track and Fielld Championships Cork IT 9.30 am, Sunday  next 17 th AAI Games Santry,  Saturday May 23 rd Munster Under 9 to 19 Relays Ennis, Saturday and Sunday May 23  rd and 24 th National Combined Events senior, junior, youths, masters Templemore  Sunday 24 th First Round National league, Saturday 30 th All Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships

Road Races

Friday May 15 th Faithlegg Golf Course 5 Miles 7 pm, Friday May 22 nd Ardmore  5 miles 8 pm Ger Wyley Series

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Philip Harty wins Waterford to Tramore Run

Over 400 competed in the 46 th Annual Bluewall Technology Paddy Flanagan Memorial Road Race from Waterford to Tramore on Saturday last in miserable weather conditions. Two runners broke away just after the start Philip Harty West Waterford and Mick Traynor Raheny and they were together for 5 miles or so but Harty then stepped up the pace and went on to win easily,with Noel Murphy Waterford taking the third spot Órna  Murray   Ferrybank led the ladies home from Adele Walsh St Senan's and Sylvia Malone Waterford.The following were the results;Men 1st Philip Harty West Waterford  39.minutes 31 seconds, 2 nd  Mick Traynor Raheny 40.21,3rd  Noel Murphy Waterford  41.19, Junior  Cormac O' Dwyer  IND  M 40  Frank Quinlan Waterford  M 45 Michael  Dunford West Waterford  M 50 Ray Hahesy do  M 55 Walter Keane Waterford 47.20 M 60 Jim O' Connor  IND  51.09 Team West Waterford. Women  1st Orna Murray  Ferrybank 45.56  2nd Adele Walsh St Senan's 47.18 3 rd Sylvia Malone Waterford 47.20 F.35 Mary Molloy    Carrick On Suir  F40 Corinna Walsh West Waterford  48.44 F 45 Ann Dunford  West Waterford  F50 Siobhan Kennedy Focas On Fitness F 55 Assumpta Kirwan  INDTeam St Joseph's.Mrs Mary Flanagan special prize Con Kelleher Waterford AC  The event was race 3 of the Ger Wyley Sports Skins series.The prizes were presented by Mrs Mary Flanagan and also Derek Tebay on behalf of the sponsors.On behalf of the the organisers Waterford AC Chairman Trevor Walsh thanked the sponsor, Gardai, Stewards, First Aid Unit Tramore GAA Club, Waterford Theatre Royal, West Waterford AC and ladies serving the refreshments and all who competed

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Waterford Schools Dominate

At the East Munster Secondary Schools Girls Track and Field Championships in Templemore last Wednesday athletes from Waterford Schools won several events. Two set new records in winning their events Órlaith O'Brien,Ursuline in the intermediate javelin with a throw of 46.31 metres and Ruth Heery also from Ursuline in the walk in  Another Ursuline athlete had a double Sinéad O' Regan in the long and high jump intermediate The following were the winners from Waterford schools; Senior triple jump Alice Costelloe Árd Scoil na Mara,high jump Neasa Murphy do, Intermediate high jump and long jump Sinead O'Regan  Ursuline, Steeplechase and 800 m Aoife  Ni Urmholtaigh  Mean Scoil San   Nioclás, shot putt Anne Corcoran Ursuline, 200  m Katie Murphy Abbey CC, 1500 m Krista Meade Ursuline, hurdles Hanafi Busairi Árd Scoil na Mara, Walk Órla O'Connor Ursuline, Discus Ruth Heery do, javelin Órlaith O'Brien do,pole vault Maura Gallagher St Augustine's triple jump Caoimhe Dwyer St Augustine's Junior walk Ruth Heery Ursuline, discus Rachel Stephen's Gael Scoil Phortlairge, hammer Emily Myers Waterpark ,pole vault   Aoife Lai St Augustine's,long jump  Clodagh Mc Guire St Paul's, triple jump Aimee Hutchinson Waterpark, Minor shot putt Sarah Jacob Ursuline.

Birmingham win for Hayley

Hayley Fitzimmons Ferrybank AC a native of  the Portlaw are won the javelin and was second in the shot putt and discus in the Dwarf Association UK Games in Birmingham last Saturday, she is a very competitive young lady.

Fast 400 leg by Barr.

Competng for Ireland at the World 4 x 400 metres relay Championship in Bahamas last week end Thomas Barr ran a very fast  leg being timed at 45.13 seconds- the fastest by the team members- but unfortunately an understrength Irish team didn’t make the final

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County Championships begin

Sunday next May 10 th is the date for Section 1 of the County Track and Field Championships at the RSC and they begin at 11 am sharp. Lots of events on the programme and all clubs asked to help out by supplying officials.If there are enough officials the programme can be run off smoothly and in a reasonable time.Clubs are asked to have their athletes well aware of the programme of events before arriving at the RSC.First track events are hurdles under 18 down to under 15;followed by

Schools Fixtures

This Wednesday May 6 th the East Munster Boys Secondary Schools Track and FieldChampionships are at the RSC at 11.30 am with many athletes from Waterford Schools participating and the Munster finals are at Cork IT Track on Saturday May 16 th

Portlaw 5 Miles

Race 2 of the Outfield Sports 3 County Challenge Series the Tom Jordan Memorial 5 Miles is in Portlaw on Friday next May 8 th at 7.30 pm.entries from 6 pm in Portlaw on the evening  On Friday May 15 th at 7 pm on Faithlegg Golfe Course a 5 miles run takes place entries on totaltiming.ie

Community Games 

This Friday also at 6.30 pm the Gaultier Community Games Athletic Night will be at the RSC. Events for boys and girls u 8, u 10, u 12 , u 14, u 16 and u 17 marathon . Athletes must be under a particular age on July 31 st and must be living in Faithlegg/Passage/Dunmore areas contact number 087 6889330

Late Eddie Maher

The death took place recently of Mr Eddie Maher Ballycordrea in his 93 rd year.The late Eddie competed regularly with Dunhill AC in the nineteen forties and fifties in Cross Country and road races He maintained a very big interest all his long life in athletics, locally,nationally and Internationally and up to a year ago lived a very active life on his farm and it was always a pleasure to meet him..All in Waterford athletics send their sympathy to his family and relatives.