Event notice...John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race - Sun 26th Jan 2014

Now as we head towards the end of 2013, it's time to look ahead to the Spring of 2014 and what lies ahead. This is the traditional season for 10 mile road races in Munster and the four big ones are Ballycotton, Dungarvan, Mallow and Cobh.

The first one up is the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race on Sunday the 26th of January 2014. This is for me one of the best road races in Munster and it attracts runners from all over the country. Please note there is an entry limit of 2,000 this year and it will almost certainly close well before race day. The entry fee is €20 and that includes a Nike dry-fit running top. It really is an excellent top and as good as you'd get in any race. The entries are flying in already so enter asap

Here is some details from the organising club West Waterford AC...

At a photo launch recently in the towns Walton Park, John Treacy along with race sponsors and club committee members, details were announced of the 23rd Annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10 Mile Road Race.

The event now in its 23rd year has established itself as a must run race on the Irish road running calendar with participants from all four corners of the country and beyond participating. The race has grown year on year and is a pre-entry race only with the close date January 13th for the January 26th 2014 race or when 2,000 entries is reached .Please note that race entries closed in a matter weeks last year leaving hundreds disappointed on not being able to participate.( please get your entry in immediately )

To stage such a big event of course requires good sponsors and we are fortunate to have the support of the local authorities, Go Dungarvan, GlaxoSmithKline, Dungarvan Shopping Centre, Glanbia, Optimum Nutrition, Tipperary Water, Flahavan’s, Nike Ireland along with many other local businesses and individuals who are all giving valuable support helping to make the day a great occasion for the town of Dungarvan.

Introduced to the event three years ago the John Treacy Club Challenge Cup for men’s and ladies teams is proving to be highly successful. We will again be calling on all the athletic clubs of Ireland to take on the challenge in the 2014 event.

The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 bring’s together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who compete over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan as we all look forward to an even bigger and better event on January 26th  next.

All race and entry details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org

Postal entry forms HERE

Preview.....A full preview of the course with photos and directions can be seen HERE

Clare...Results of the Bernie Meaney 5k, Kilmurry - Sun 20th Oct 2013

1 15:40 SEAN HEHIR,  Rathfarnham WSAF A. C. M
2 16:55 JAKE O REGAN,  St Johns M
3 16:59 JULIO CESEAR F CASTRO,  Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare M
16 19:56 VERONICA COLLERAN,  Ennis Track F
21 20:32 CUSHLA BRID HEHIR,  Ennis Track F
23 20:52 GRACE SHALLOO,  Ennis Track F

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) There is a small gallery of photos from James Sexton HERE

Kerry...Results of the Feet First 5k race in Killarney - Sat 19th Oct 2013

Results from Feet First Killarney 5k Winter Series Race 1...Sat 19th Oct 2013

Pl.    Name      Cat.     Result
1 Ed Murphy     MS (16:20)
2 Arthur Fitzgerald     MS (16:26)
3  Simon Mangan     MS (16:54)
20  Siobhan Daly     FS (19:09)
24  Catriona Barry     F40 (19:23)
40  Niamh Clifford     FJ (20:56)

The full results can be seen HERE

Kerry...Results of the Tralee Ladies RFC 5k fun run - Mon 23rd Sept 2013

Just catching up on some old results. This one is from the Tralee Ladies Rugby Football Club 5k fun run on Monday 23rd Sept 2013...

Kerry...Results of the Carers Association 10k Charity fun run - Sun 13th Oct 2013

1    Arthur    Fitzgerald    0:34:10
2    Stephen    Griffin    0:34:18
3    Derek    Griffin    0:35:12
25    Elaine    O'Keeffe    0:44:09
29    Kathleen    Shannon    0:45:58
30    Fatima    O Connor    0:46:01 

The full results can be seen HERE

Clare...County Intermediate & U23 Cross Country Championships - Sun 13th Oct 2013

Clare A.A.I Intermediate Under 23 Cross Country Championships at Sixmilebridge on 13/10/2013
Intermediate Ladies
1    Grace Shaloo        Ennis Track (A)
2    Grace Eade        Ennis Track (A)
3    Siobhan Lennon    Ennis Track (A)

Teams
1    Ennis Track (A)        1,2,3,4        10 pts
2    Ennis Track (B)        6,7,9,10    32 pts

Intermediate Men
1    Kevin Mulcaire    Ennis Track
2    Kevin Chesser        Ennis Track
3    Julio Cesar Castro    Kil/Ibk Nth Clare

Teams
1    Ennis Track        1,2,6,12,14,15        50 pts
2    Kil/Ibk Nth Clare    3,8,9,13,17,20        70 pts
3    B.M.O.H        4,5,7,22,24,26        88 pts

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos.......There is a selection of photos HERE

Kerry...Results of the Brandon Mtn Marathon - Sat 12th Oct 2013

There were 4 events held.....a full mountain marathon...34 finishers, a mountain half-marathon...16 finishers, a half-marathon on roads...22 finishers and a shorter mini-marathon on roads...34 finishers.

The full results can be seen HERE

Video from Connor Pass...

Kerry...Results of the Valentia Half-Marathon - Sat

121 runners turned out for this half-marathon in Kerry (2011 = 171, 2012 = 205).

1 Ed MURPHY    01:18:47
2 Pat DUNWORTH    01:18:49
3 Denis EVERETT    01:25:18
12 Margaret ODRISCOLL    01:33:05
21 Rachael O CALLAGHAN    01:37:53
27 Deirdre OLEARY    01:43:26

The full results can be seen HERE

Tipperary...Results of the Nenagh 10k - Sun 13th Oct 2013

1    Tony    Fogarty    m    32:52
2    Killian    Callagh    m    33:09
3    Gary    Scully    m     33:16
5    Siobhan    Doherty    f    34:28
23    Mary    Gavin    f    42:29
25    Stephanie    Culligan    f     42:38

The full results can be seen HERE

Event notice...Half-Marathon, Marathon & Ultra-Marathons in Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare - Sun 17th Nov 2013

The Eddie Murphy Memorial Marathon is coming up in Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare on Sunday the 17th of November 2013. There are a number of events on offer...
a) Half-Marathon...13.1 miles
b) Marathon...26.2 miles
c) Ultra-Marathon...30 miles
d) Double Marathon...52.4 miles.

From BMOH AC, the organisers of the event...
Eddie Murphy Memorial...Entry fee will be €20 for Half Marathon, €30 Marathon, €35 for 30 Mile and €40 for Double Marathon with all money raised being given to Charity (Milford Hospice in Limerick)

4 races, Half Marathon, Marathon, 30 mile and Double Marathon, all run on same 1 mile lap of village

Double Marathon start will be 07:00, headlights and vizi vest will be compulsory
30 mile start will be 11:00
Marathon start will be 12:00
Half Marathon start will be 14.00

BMOH are proud hosts of the one of the most unique marathons in Europe which also includes Half marathon ,Marathon, 30 miles & Double marathon options all on the one mile loop with the infamous heart break hill to be tackled on each lap.

Due to tragic and Ultimately passing of Eddie Murphy , BMOH AC hold a multi marathon event each November in Sixmilebridge in Honor of Eddie which takes place on a unique one mile loop.

About Eddie Murphy: For those of us lucky enough to have known Eddie, he represented what endurance running is all about for many of us, Pushing towards new personal running goals while enjoying & making new friendships along the way.  Eddie, before his untimely Death in April, 2011, had completed over 45 marathons.The proceeds of the event are donated to Milford hospice in Limerick at the request of the Murphy family.

Entries.......You can enter online HERE

Preview........A full preview of the course with maps, directions, photos, etc can be seen HERE

Waterford...Results of the Open Cross Country - Sun 6th Oct 2013

21ST  ANNUAL WEST WATERFORD AC OPEN CROSS COUNTRY EVENT FOR THE JAMES HUGHES PERPETUAL CUP.

Donal Power presents the Ladies the winner Dympna Ryan Dundrum AC with her prize at the 21st Annual West Waterford athletic club open cross country race held last Sunday, 6th Oct 2013. Also shown is the mens winner Tim O'Donoghue of East Cork AC receiving the James Hughes perpetual cup

Report from West Waterford AC...21 years of cross country running was celebrated in style by our club last Sunday at the 21st Annual event held at St Augustine’s college the home of cross country running in these parts. Celebrating the 21st year of any event is a special occasion and to mark the day our club was delighted to accept a beautiful new perpetual cup donated to the race by Donal Power and the Power family of Abbeyside in honour of their grandfather James. West Waterford AC are honoured and privileged to have this beautiful trophy honouring such an outstanding athlete from another era and it’s a delightful tribute by the Power family to see fit in honouring their grandfather James Hughes who through the war years was a noted Irish international cross country runner who represented his county near and far during the very troubled times of the war. Our wish for the years going forward are that many a great battle will ensue on the battle fields of our cross country race when great athletes will make claim to have their name inscribed on the trophy. 

The 21st running of the race took place last Sunday in very mild conditions and all assembled were prepared to battle it out from the blast of Br Patricks starters whistle, two East Cork AC athletes and one from Riocht AC a club down in Castleisland  Co Kerry took the lead and after a very fast 1st lap one was to drop off the pace and by the second lap it was between Tim O’ Donoghue and James Doran of An Riocht as Sean McGrath had dropped back. From here on in it was a two man race and over the latter stages Tim O’ Donoghue stamped his authority on the race and on the final lap it was a certain that he would win which he did. James Doran was happy to claim second and Sean McGrath of East Cork held onto third place. It was nice to see that the prizes were spread out among different clubs and counties. Kenny Curran of Ballynonty AC Tipperary took the 0/40 prize, Ray Hahessy West Waterford AC claimed the 0/45 prize, Derek Nolan of Clonmel was happy to take the 0/50 prize and Con Kelleher of Waterford took the 0/60 prize. The first junior prize went to Liam Mulligan of KCK, well done to all.

Men’s Results
Tim O’ Donoghue                  East Cork       24.48
James Doran                          An Riocht       25.04
Sean McGrath                       East Cork       25.30
0/40 Kenny Curran                Ballynonty AC 25.57
0/45 Ray Hahessy                  WWAC           29.16
0/50 Derek Nolan                  Clonmel          28.39
0/60 Con Kelleher                  WAC               34.49
Junior Liam Mulligan            KCK               29.52

CLEAR VICTORY FOR DYMPNA  RYAN IN LADIES RACE....The number of female runners in the West Waterford AC cross country race has been on the rise and this year saw the biggest entry for this race in many years. We were delighted to see Dympna Ryan of Dundrum AC in the field, an athlete of particular of note who has been to the fore all around the country recently in top road and cross country events. From the gun over the 2 lap ladies distance Dympna was to add yet another victory to her extending list of achievements as she lead all the way over the two laps despite the best efforts of our own  West Waterford’s Corinna Walsh who has won this race on previous occasions, finishing 2nd Corinna had a great run and she had work really hard over the last lap especially as the very fast finishing Waterford AC athlete Suzanne Dullaghan was closing in on her but Corinna held on for a great second place with Suzanne on this occasion having to settle for third place. Suzanne’s team-mate Joan Mahony won the over 35 prize and the remainder of prizes were won by West Waterford athletes. Well done to Brigid Coffey who won the 0/40 and to Onra Power who claimed the 0/45 prize. Lucy O’Brien had a great run to win the junior prize, well done to all.

RESULTS
Dympna Ryan                        Dundrum         13.52
Corinna Walsh                       WWAC           14.33
Suzanne Dullaghan                WAC               14.54
0/35 Joan Mahony                 WAC               15.34
0/40 Brigid Coffey                  WWAC           18.17
0/45 Onra Power                    WWAC           19.12
Junior Lucy O’ Brien             WWAC           16.30

THANKS.....Firstly our sincere thanks to the Power family especially Donal Power, grandson of James Hughes who donated the magnificent trophy and thank’s all the Power family for this kind gesture and their attendance at the race Sunday. Once again our thanks to Br Patrick Lennon for laying out the course and to the College for the use of their facility to hold the race and to all the crew that helped with the race in anyway especially all our own club crew.
The full results can be seen HERE (Waiting on results)

Photos...A gallery of photos from West Waterford AC can be seen HERE

Kerry...Results of the Castleisland Autumn 5k - Fri 4th Oct 2013

This was the 4th and final race in the very successful Castleisland Autumn 5k series and it has the largest turnout so far. After getting 207 in the first race, 177 in the second and 192 in the third, the final race attracted a field of 222 people. The series was organised by local club An Ríocht AC.

1 Ed Murphy 15:54
2 Arthur Fitzgerald 16:04
3 John Barrett 16:26
15 Maria Mc Carthy 17:52
17 Niamh O'Sullivan 17:58
28 Siobhán Daly Castleisland  19:17

The full results can be seen HERE

Limerick...Results of the Bruff Longboat Memorial 10k run - Sat 5th Oct 2013

A total of 63 people took part in this 10k run in Bruff, Co.Limerick.

1    Shane Simcox    Senior    Mallow Ac    34.50
2    Mike Cunningham    0/45    Mooreabbey Milers    36.49
3    John Kelly        Bilboa    38.12
6    Madeline Loughnane    Senior    Thurles Crokes    39.02
11    Martina Ryan    40    Thurles Crokes    43.39
22    Ber Moore        Kilmallock AC    49.57

The full results can be seen HERE

Irish athletes look for funding for the Rio Olympics in 2016

As anyone who follows Irish athletics will know, funding for individual athletes is always an issue. Every year, the Irish Sports Council give out grants but only the very top international athletes like Rob Heffernan can hope to get the maximum amount. For younger up and coming athletes, their grants, if any, are a lot smaller and money is always an issue. They have the dilemma of trying to do the training required to reach an international standard and still be able to support themselves.

An interesting development on the Internet in the last year or two has been the use of sites like Kickstarter whereby people are asked to fund various business ideas and projects. The concept is called 'crowd sourcing'.

With those two facts in mind, some of Ireland's up and coming stars are now looking for funding for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brother and sister Thomas and Jessie Barr from Waterford are top Irish hurdlers. Thomas put in some great performances in 2013 and came within five one-hundredths of a second of equaling the Irish 400m hurdles record. Jessie is the second fastest woman on the Irish all time list for the 400m hurdles.

This is their fundraising video...

This is the Barr's fundraising page.

Sarah Lavin from Limerick is just 19 years old and is already the 3rd fastest woman in the 100m hurdles on the Irish all time list.

This is her fundraising video...

This is Sarah's fundraising page

Waterford...Open Cross Country Event - Sun 6th Oct 2013

In most cases, cross country races are open only to members of members of athletic clubs. This event in Dungarvan on Sunday the 6th of October is open to everyone who would like to compete.

Details from the organisers of the event...West Waterford AC........21st  ANNUAL WEST WATERFORD AC OPEN CROSS COUNTRY EVENT FOR THE JAMES HUGHES PERPETUAL CUP...The annual Open Cross Country event at St. Augustine’s College has a starting time of 2.00 pm. The race is open to all and caters for all levels of runners from elite runners, club runners, fun runners and joggers. All are more than welcome to come along and have a run on the famed Friary course. The distances on the day will be 2 laps of the College grounds for the ladies which is 4km in total and the men’s event will see them cover 4 laps (8km).The usual prize catagories apply.Please note the presentation of prizes will take place immediately after the race at the College grounds.
INCORPORATING COUNTY SENIOR AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
This Cross Country race once again this year incorporates the County Senior and Junior cross country championships for men and women.

JAMES HUGHES PERPETUAL CUP PRESENTED TO WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB OPEN CROSS COUNTRY RACE THIS SUNDAY.,,,Donal Power presents James Veale chairman of West Waterford athletic club with the James Hughes perpetual cup for cross country, also pictured are Kevin and Michael Power. James Hughes was their grandfather and was an Irish international cross country athlete. Donal gave a very indebt talk on his grandfather in association with the Waterford Museum Society in the Town hall theatre Dungarvan recently which was attended by members of the Museum society and local athletics enthusiasts. The cup will be awarded each year to the winner of the West Waterford AC open cross country race which is celebrating its 21st year this year. The race goes ahead at St Augustine's College on next Sunday October 6th at 2 pm where we hope to see the countries best cross country runners battle it out to make their own piece of history by being the first name inscribed on this magnificent trophy.Donal and members of the Power family will be along on the day of the race to present the winner with the cup. The event also incorporates the Waterford country senior under 18 and Junior county championship.

Directions and maps can be seen HERE