Social 2005 MINNIES BEGINNERS LEAGUE : LUCOZADE SPORT HELPS RUNNERS GO 33% LONGER.
Round one of the Minnies Bar sponsored Beginners League was held last Tuesday evening at St. Augustines College, Abbeyside. This league which is mainly focused at attracting newcomers to the sport was very successful with plenty of new faces present. The weather was a little unkind on the night and the ground around St.Augustines was quite wet after the many days of rain recently experienced. Thankfully this didn't deter those who came along and league organiser Tony Ryan was well pleased with the numbers present.
A grand total of eighty three participated, which was well up on last years number. Forty-seven runners completed the three laps and thirty-five the two-lap course with one person on their first night completing the one lap.
Sponsor's Pat O' Brien and Charmain O' Brien-Tutty of Minnies Bar Abbeyside were on hand to get the runners under way and indeed Pat himself led by example by taking part in the league, completing the three lap run.
There’s plenty of room for additional runners in this league. Even if you miss a night or two you can come along at any stage. The options available at the league are two laps or three laps. Remember, it doesn't matter how fast or how slow you think you are, all are catered for and if you haven't yet made the start remember you can join in at any stage of the league.
A very welcome gesture to all those who took part last Tuesday was made by Linda Bradfield on behalf of Glaxo Smithkline when she presented all the runners with a bottle of Lucozade Sport as they finished their run. Glaxo Smithkline are great supporters of our club and are one of our main sponsors as the company sponsors the Glaxo Smithkline 5 mile road race each July, one of the clubs premier events. Our thanks to Linda and Glaxo Smithkline for the refreshments provided last week.
All league runners please note that the league night will change to Thursday 12th at 7 PM. for this week and the following week it will also be Thursday 19th. Then we will revert back to Tuesday nights from May 24th and continue on Tuesday night right up to league end on June 28th. Best six of the nine weeks count. Runners appear on tables after one run and there will be movement between divisions.
Our thanks to all who helped on the night, especially Tony, Noel, Michael, and Kathleen.
FRIENDS OF WEST WATERFORD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR :-: WHO CAN CATCH THE CHAMP ??
The first four months of the year 2005 are over and it is time to get an update on our athlete of the year competition. Remember this is the award that goes to the club member who represents our club on the most occasions during the year.
The format is simple, every time you run for the club you get one point. If you run in a championship event eg track championships, you get two points. At the end of the calendar year the person with the most points is deemed to be the winner.
2005 started with a bang for our athletes as points and indeed Munster medals were collected on New Years Day. Since then West Waterford members have competed all over Ireland and some have ran in places like London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Boston, Paris, Sweden, Abu Dhabi, and even as far away as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Last year's winner and current club athlete of the year Ann Dunford is leading the table with a very healthy 30 points giving her a four point advantage over Judy Hanrahan with Diane Behan next with twenty three points. Where are the Men you ask. Well Joe Gough and Jason Travers are next on the table with twenty three points apiece.
Can Ann become the first athlete to retain her title and win the award two years in a row. I wouldn't bet against it, but its up to us all to knock her off her little perch. So come on Ladies and especially men, as a man has not won this award yet, get off you're a- - and pound some ground.
Ann Dunford 30
Judy Hanrahan 26
Diane Behan 23
Joe Gough 23
Jason Travers 23
Ann Whelan 22
Michael Deegan 22
Brid Veale 20
Richie Power 20
Pat Early 20
Pat Dunford 20
Norma Wall 19
Corrina Walsh 19
Con Kelleher 19
Social 2005 GER WYLEY/NIKE SUMMER SERIES OFF TO A TREMENDOUS START.
With the signatures on the contract hardly dry on the paper between West Waterford and summer series sponsors Ger Wyley Sports & Nike a big entry has already signed up to this years event. With only two races of the ten race programme completed an unprecedented 119 Athletes have joined and many more are expected.
The club and the sponsors are delighted with this increase, which shows that the popularity of the event is bringing more and more from the locality and indeed from outside Waterford county into our events. Much thanks for this must go to our hard working club committee and members and of course our road racing section headed up by Gerry Cantwell. Credit must also go to the various individuals and clubs who look after each of the ten races dotted around the county. Without the very kind sponsorship and goodwill received by the club and each race on its own merit we wouldn't be able to hold these events either.
The bottom line is the success that the club has is a huge team effort by a huge amount of people. We’re on the right track lads and lassies keep to the basics, look after all abilities, and keep up the good work. We’re getting there!!
SPEEDY RECOVERY.
Wishes for a speedy recovery are extended to popular club member Michael Dwyer who is indisposed at present. We hope to see you back to full fitness in the not too distant future, Michael.
HALF-CENTURY FOR SEAMÚS.
All at the club extend birthday wishes to Seamús O'Droma on reaching the half century. A great night was had at his birthday bash with a big turn out of club members, as well as family and friends. It only seems like yesterday when Seamus ran that memorable run form Cork city to Helvick for charity. Would you belive it was in 1985, all of 20 years ago. Seamus has a marathon or two under his belt since then and we hope many more to come.
MARTINA RYAN 100 METERS COUNTY CHAMPION.
Round one of the Waterford county Track and Field county championships were held last Friday evening at Waterford R.S.C. In the Ladies 100 meter Martina Ryan and Judy Hanrahan had a crack at the 100 meters with Martina taking the gold medal and Judy silver.
In the Men's 1500 meters Mark Langford and Johnny O'Connor were in the line up, here again we took honours when Mark won gold and Johnny who recorded a personal best of 4.36 for the distance took bronze. Well done to all.
JOE HOURIGAN MIDLETON 5.
The Annual Midleton 5 was held last Wednesday evening and a good field of 146 completed the course. The race was won by local Noel Berkley in a time of 25.52 with Raivis Zakis second in 26.07 and his club mate Dzinters Klava was third 26.19.
Mary Sweeney took the Ladies race in 30.56 finishing in twenty first position overall.
West Waterford's Jason Travers ran very well also finishing in sixth overall in a fast 28.45. Our only other club member to take part was John Foley who finished 68th in 34.50. Well done to Jason and John.
GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE 3 :-: BUTLERSTOWN 10 K ROAD RACE AND 5 K FUN RUN/WALK.
On Saturday May 21st next we have race number three in this years Ger Wyley/Nike summer series of road races. The Butlerstown 10 k and 5 k fun run/walk starting at 7 PM. with entries taken at the Butlerstown G.A.A. centre.
Entry fee for this race is 8 Euro with a T-Shirt to all entrants. All proceeds from the race will be donated to the Waterford Alzheimer's society of Ireland.
The first Male and Female will get prizes for the 5 k fun run. In the 10 k race the first three males and females. There will be three team prizes with five to score on each team picked on a handicap basis.
Shower facilities will be at the G.A.A. and the presentation of prizes and refreshments will be available at the Holy Cross bar after the event.
Social 2005 MUNSTER TRACK AND FIELD TEAMS FOR MASTERS IN CASTLEISLAND.
The Munster Masters Track and Field championships will be held on Sunday 29th May next in Castleisland, Co.Kerry and the club will be sending a strong Ladies and Men's squad to the event.
The age categories for women are over 35,40,45,50,55,60 and for men over 40,45,50,55,60,65 70. Remember, a 60-year-old athlete is as important as a 40-year-old athlete. Events include 3000 metres (club team of 3 to score as well as first three in each category), 800m, 400m, 200m, 100m and a 4 x 100m relay.
Field events include javelin, discus, shot, long jump and hammer. If you require any further information you can contact any of the following.
Diane Behan 087 6160048
Norma Wall 087 9385965
Richie Power 087 9922191
Joe Gough 086 8354027
Women:
Diane Behan
Ann Dunford
Mairead Flynn
Anne Whelan
Brid Veale
Josie Ui Chuirrin
Jacinta Sheil
Jenny Kirwan
Helene Hayes
Terri Gough
Sandra Brazil White
Men:
Gerry Cantwell
Gary McCormack
Martin Hayes
James Veale
Alban O'Donoghue
Andrew O'Leary
Danny McGrath
Finbar Kelly
Richie Power
Michael Wade
Martin McCarthy
Brendan Moran
Colin Lyons
Con Kelliher
Joe Gough
Martin Sandford
Paddy Power
Michael Deegan
Perry O'Leary
Anthony Dwyer
Billy McGuire
Paul Mooney
Davey Wade
BRENDAN MORAN SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPION.
West Waterford's Brendan Moran made the long journey to South Africa to take part in the South African Master's Track and field championships last week and the trip was a worth while one as Brendan came home with gold in the 100 and 200 meters. Brendan a much-travelled man is still sprinting as well as ever and all at the club congratulate him on his latest
