Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Thomas Barr third in Zurich

At the Diamond  League meeting in Zurich last Thursday evening in the 400 metres hurdles event there was another good run by Thomas Barr as he finished third just a few strides behind the second placed athlete Rasmus Magi Estonia, The race won by Kariem Hussein from Switzerland in 49.16 seconds,.Magi in second spot was timed at 49.37 and Thomas clocked 49.79. all three had been semi finalists in Beijing at the World Championships recently as were two others a Belgian and a Britain who finished 4 th and 8 th respectively. Thomas was out of contention approaching the second last hurdle but then started to motor late on as usual and finished very strongly. He competes in the Brussels Diamond League meeting this Friday Sept 11 th again against some of the world;s best, the race is timed for 7.04 pm Irish time.

Cill Barra 6 KM won by Ledingham.

 150  runners as well as many walkers competed in the Annual Cill Barra 6 Km Road Run and 3 KM Walk in Ballybeg in Waterford City on Saturday last and in a thrilling finish to the run James Ledingham West Waterford won just edging out Barry Keane Waterford AC with both being timed at 19 minutes and nine seconds, in third place was Noel Murphy of Waterford AC and he clocked 19.24. Adele Walsh St Senan's won the ladies section comfortably in 22.34, Kate Nolan was second in 23.22 and Elaine O'Donovan St Joseph's was third in 23.35. The proceeds went to the Cill BarraCentre and St Saviours FC. The organisers wish to thank the Gardai, Order of Malta Stewards,Sponsors and all who participated in a very enjoyable event in ideal conditions. 

County Convention

On Friday next September 11 th the Annual Convention of the County Athletic Board will be held in St Augustine's College in Abbeyside at 8 pm.  All clubs in County asked to have delegates present .

Ballyduff Lower Road Race

The Annual Liz Hayes Memorial Road Race over 5 miles is in Ballyduff Lower near Kilmeaden on Friday next Sept 11 th at 6.30 pm preceded by a walk at 6 pm. Entries from 5 pm in Ballyduff All proceeds going to the Ballyduff Community Centre Redevelopment Fund

Ravis in Ultra Marathon

On Saturday next Ravis Zakis West Waterford runs in the World and European Utra Marathon Championships over 100 km in Holland 

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Waterford Primary Schools Cross Country

On Tuesday September 15 th at 12.30 pm the Waterford Primary Schools Cross Country Sports for boys and girls will be at the RSC .Races over short distances for each class 1 st to 6 th. ranging from 200 metres to 800 metres Medals for first 12 home in each race and Perpetual Cups for best Schools etc Contact 087 6889330

Open Cross Country fixtures

Sunday Sept 13 th Adamstown Co Wexford 12 noon,Sunday 27 th Sept Kilmacow 1 pm The County Cross Country Championship season will begin early October the dates will be confirmed at County Convention on Friday and all clubs should have athletes in training for X country season presently.

Road Races.

Sunday  Sept 20 th 12 noon, 5 miles run and walk in aid of Waterford Hospice near Reginald's Tower,entry from 10.30 am at The Reg, Sunday October 11 th Solas Centre Run for Life 10 miles and 5 miles walk 12 noon Waterford City . Early reminder of Waterford AC Annual Half Marathon starting at WIT Sports Campus Carriganore Saturday December 5 th.. 

Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

A look back at World Championships

From an Irish point of view the top performance at the World Championships in Beijing was the 5 thplacing by the defending champion Robert Heffernan in the 50 Km (31.06 miles walk). Always in contention Heffernan whose preparations were interrupted earlier on in the season due to injury which necessitated surgery twice looked at a late stage as if he would challenge for a silver or bronze medal but faded in the final few kilometres The race was won by Matej Toth Slovakia runner up in the European Championships last year in 3 hrs 40 minutes and 32 seconds Slovakia's first ever gold medal at the championships, Heffernan was timed at 3.44.17 a season's best time a minute or so behind the bronze medal winner. Other Irish performances of note were by Thomas Barr Ferrybank in making the 400 metres hurdles semi final and Mark English reaching the 800 metres semi final both ranked very highly in the world now  while the men's 4 x 400 metres relay team that included Thomas Barr in a very hot semi final set a new Irish record of 3.01.26 in finishing 8 th which placed them 13 th  overall, 2.59.80 was the last qualifying time so Ireland improving all the time and not too far away with a very small pool of athletes to choose from. Kelly Proper was always going to find it hard to get out of the heats in the 200 metres but in finishing 6 th in her heat in  23.28 was not far away from her best time this season of 23.24, to qualify for the semi final she would have had to clock 23.10.There were many memorable performances in Beijing  with the doubles scored by Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200 metres and Mo Farah in the 5000 and 10000 metres being exceptional.In the Gold Medal table Kenya and Jamaica won seven each,USA six and Great Britain four..  

Drugs References

Many references have been made in the past week to the drug controversy in the IAAF and some people have been linking it to performances at the World Championships but as mentioned previously one has to be very careful when generalising speaking about any sport or individual,you can hear remarks going the rounds like" sure their all at it " Countries that have winners regularly have been mentioned as having athletes with suspicious tests.  Here in Ireland any sport which has signed up to the Anti Doping Campaign with the Irish Sports Council can have their members tested out of competition or in competition the same applies worldwide At the moment in Ireland four athletes from different sports are under suspension for drug offences and these come from Motor Cycling, Athletics, Gaelic Football and Cycling. From these figures could someone say "sure there all at it in these sports"  If the answer is no well then we can't treat sports people or sports worldwide any differently can we. Of  course when suspensions occur they are then common knowledge and those involved are named and shamed. Only a very small minority of sports people commit drug offences this can be confirmed from Anti Doping Agencies who do thousands of tests each year with the vast majority negative.Taking drugs is to help athletes to win and therefore cheat ,just like is done in every walk of life by a minority whether it be in upper,middle or lower classes business or otherwise.

Road Race 

 On Saturday next September 5 th the Annual Cill Barra 6 km has a 6 pm  start in Ballybeg in Waterford City,  Entries are taken on totaltiming.ie online and on the evening from 5 pm at the Cill Barra Centre in Ballybeg

  

Other Road Races

Friday week.September 11 th Ballyduff Lower Co Waterford 5 miles 6.00 pm,Sunday October 11 th 10 miles Run for Life and 5 miles walk Waterford City at 12 noon.

Waterford Primary Schools Cross Country

On Tuesday September 15 th at 12.30 pm the Waterford Primary Schools Cross Country Sports for boys and girls will be at the RSC .Races over short distances for each class 1 st to 6 th. ranging from 200 metres to 800 metres Medals for first 12 home in each race and Perpetual Cups for best Schools etc Contact 087 6889330

County Convention

The County Convention is in St Augustine's College Abbeyside on Friday Sept 11 th at 8 pm. Motions and nominations to be with Co Secretary John Behan by Saturday September 5 th

Open Cross Country fixtures

Sunday Sept 13 th Adamstown Co Wexford 12 noon,Sunday 27 th Sept Kilmacow 1 pm  and it is likely the County Cross Country Championship season will begin early October the dates will be confirmed at County convention.