WEST WATERFORD AC
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 6 May, 2016
3
Race 3 of the 22nd Annual Ger Wyley Sports/Skins Summer Series 2016
46th Annual Paddy Flanagan Memorial Waterford to Tramore Road Race IT'S hard to believe that 46 years have passed since Richie Crowley of Cork was the inaugural winner of this prestigious race, indeed for the record Richie a fine athlete of that era won the 1st 3 races 1970-71 and 72. From humble beginnings this race has stood the test of time and is now strongly supported with a great sponsor in place in Blue Wall Technologies and of course the fact that its part and parcel of the annual Ger Wyley sports/SKINS summer series helps draw huge numbers to the event. The race is one of the oldest races in the country and is held each year over the same course from its start line outside the City hall in Waterford to the finish line in Tramore. We were thankful for the break in the tough weather conditions we are experiencing presently as despite a slight breeze into the faces of the field of 338 finishers it was a pleasant enough evening last Friday for the event. Once again hats off to our friends at Waterford AC under the stewardship of their chairman Trevor Walsh for the excellently organised event with everything in top order for the nights racing. The race was fortunate 6 years ago when a brilliant new sponsor came on board in Waterford AC athlete Derek Tebay of Blue Wall Technologies. Derek is the director of this company and our sincere thanks must go Derek's for his kind sponsorship and for being present on the night to present the prizes along with Mrs. Mary Flanagan wife of the late Paddy whose Memorial Cup is presented to the race winner each year. With the large entry and the volume of traffic a huge team of stewards were in place to ensure the safety of the runners and the smooth running of the race and a great job was done by all with special thanks also to the Waterford Garda for their assistance here. The presentation of prizes took place as usual at the Tramore GAA centre our thanks to them where a fine spread awaited all the runners thanks to the Ladies who provided same, it was very much appreciated by
one and all. Our thanks to Fintan on the P.A, and lead car, to all those on the water stops, to Kieran and his team at Total timing who timed the race. Special thanks again to Mrs. Mary Flanagan and all the Flanagan family who once again were present as they have been now for the past 46 years. Mrs. Flanagan’s special award this year went to the very popular Waterford athlete Walter Keane. Trevor Walsh chairman Waterford AC presented Mrs. Flanagan with a bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion of the 46th year of the event to round off a great evening’s road running. Next race in series –race 4 An Tobar Ardmore 5 mile. May 20th at 8 pm. FRANK QUINLAN WITH EASE The overall race winner on the night was Waterford AC Frank Quinlan who recorded a time of 40.43 to win with ease as he finished 2 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of the 2nd place runner Waterford Tri athlete Emmet Kelly 43.23. Paul Gibbons Sliabh Bhuide Rovers AC was 3rd in 43.41 and Noel Murphy Waterford AC 4th in 43.55. Frank had this race more or less wrapped up from the gun as he raced into a lead leaving the city hall and was never in any danger of being halled back by the chasers. It was a double week celebration for Frank as he ran a brilliant 2.33 marathon in London only a week previously. So great running by the Waterford man all in a 7 day spell. Frank also ran this race last year taking the over 40 prize in 41.51. The category prizes in the men's race saw the over 40 claimed by P. J. Scollard Waterford AC 44.49 and the over 45 was won by Ger Murray IND 47.15. The over 50 winner was Martin Hayes West Waterford AC 46.45. The over 55 went to Walter Keane Waterford AC for the 2nd year in succession in a very fast 46.45 which was nicely faster that his posting in 2015 of 47.20 and the over 60 winner was Gerard Lynch IND 56.43 and first Junior was young Evan McConnell IND 60.59 and the team award went to
West Waterford AC ladies team prize winners at the 46th annual Paddy Flanagan Memorial Waterford to Tramore road race Kate Veale, Diane Chizhikova and missing from photo Angeline Drennan. Included is race sponsor Derek Tebay Bluewall Technologies.
22nd Annual Ger Wyley Sports Summer Series 2016
Race 4 - 21st Annual An Tobar Ardmore 5 Mrs Mary Flanagan presents winner Frank Quinlan with the cup at the 46th annual Paddy Flanagan Memorial Waterford to Tramore road race last Saturday evening. Included is race sponsor Derek Tebay Bluewall Technologies. Waterford AC. Well done to all. Men 1st Frank Quinlan Waterford AC 40.43 2nd Emmet Kelly Waterford Tri 43.23 3rd Paul Gibbons Sliabh Bhuide Rover AC 43.41 4th Noel Murphy Waterford AC 43.55 Junior Evan McConnell IND 60.59 M40 P J Scollard Waterford AC 44.49 M45 Ger Murray IND 47.15 M50 Martin Hayes West Waterford AC 46.45 M55 Walter Keane Waterford AC 46.45 M60 Gerard Lynch IND 56.43 Team Waterford AC: Stephen Hearne, Vinny Keane and John Nolan. ADELE WALSH MAKES AMENDS The Ladies winner in this year's race Adele Walsh St. Senans AC having finished 2nd in last year's race made amends this year when taking a comprehensive victory last Saturday evening running a time of 48.45 to win by 34 seconds from a fellow South Kilkenny athlete St. Joseph's AC Elaine O'Donovan who ran a time of 49.19. A Dublin athlete Laura Robinson Lusk AC was 3rd in 50.18 and Carrick's Mary
Molloy was 4th in 52.59, Mary had won the over 35 prize in this race last year. The category prizes were won by over 35 Janet Quinlan Saturday road runners 54.09. The over 40 winner was Yvonne O'Connell Clonmel AC 54.16. Over 45 Diane Behan Waterford AC 55.06. Over 50 for the 2nd year in succession Siobhan Kennedy Focus On Fitness 53.30 which was an impressive improvement from her time in 2015 which was 54.26, and the over 55 winner was Marta RSC AC 67.35. The Ladies team winners were West Waterford AC. Well done to all. WOMENS RESULTS Women 1st Adele Walsh St. Senans AC 48.45 2nd Elaine O'Donovan St. Josephs AC 49.19 3rd Laura Robinson Lusk AC 50.18 4th Mary Molloy Carrick AC 52.59 F.35 Janet Quinlan Saturday road runners 54.09 F40 Yvonne O'Connell Clonmel AC 54.16 F45 Diane Behan Waterford AC 55.06 F50 Siobhan Kennedy Focus On Fitness 53.30 F55 Marta ? RSC AC 67.35 Team West Waterford AC: Kate Veale Diana Chizhikova and Angeline Drennan.
22nd Annual Ger Wyley Sports/Skins Summer Series
Have you joined the Series yet? Special offer still applies JUST a little reminder to all those that intend on joining the series but have not yet done so: entry to the series is separate to the individual race entry fees. This year again just like our club races we have reduced the entry fee to just €5 for the series and you may join at any of our races up to and including the Dromana Race where entry closes. The club organised races are set at €5 also if you enter online (€8 on night of race). The Dromana race is on Friday,
June 17th and is race 7 in the series and the final opportunity to enter the series, so please get your entry in soon. The series takes into account everybody’s best 6 races, it can be any 6 of the 11 races so if you have yet to run any of the races, there is still plenty of time to join and get in your counting 6. All those who enter and complete 6 races will receive a SKINS voucher to the value of €30, redeemable at Ger Wyley sports shop (series sponsor).
For all those who complete the 11 races they will be receiving a bonus prize courtesy of our sponsors on the final night at the GSK 5. There is still the chance for you to save money by signing up to our special price package which is available to all at just €30, this package will include entry to series and also entry to the following races Ardmore, Clashmore, Dromana, Ras Na Rinne, Ballymacarbry and the Marine. Now in all fairness where would you get that value?
AFTER a terrific race last Saturday evening at race 3 in the series the Waterford to Tramore our focus now will turn to race 4 the 21st Annual An Tobar Ardmore 5 mile which takes place on Friday evening, May 20th. Michael Hennessey and his team have all aspects of the event in motion at this stage and we look forward to our annual visit to the home of St. Declan, the beautiful village of Ardmore. The course will remain the same as previous years with the 2 lap circuit. Registration and changing will be at the Ardmore GAA club pavilion
(by kind permission) and we sincerely thank Ardmore GAA for the use of their fine facility as they have done now for many years. Thanks also to An Tobar and Ken Pallister for his ongoing sponsorship of the race. This race has a different prize policy to other races. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female athletes and after that prizes will be awarded to the first male and female athletes in each of the star signs. Entry to this race is only €5 if you enter online or if you like you can pay 8 euro on the night to enter. See you at the
Round Tower guys!! ENTER ARDMORE 5 ONLINE NOW Online entry for the 21st Annual Ardmore 5 is now open on active works or via West Waterford Athletic Club website! Cost is only €5. Numbers can be collected on the evening of race. It is of great help to us the race organisers if you can please enter online and it will save you time queuing on the night. Link to enter An Tobar Ardmore 5. https://endurancecui.active .com/event-reg/selectrace?e=36300854
Personal Best for Micheal and Sean in Greystones while James Ledingham finishes 3rd TWO of our bright young upcoming stars Micheal Power and Sean Curran were in action last Saturday at an Irish Milers club meet in Greystones. Micheal took part in the 1,500 metres and ran an excellent 4.10.1 which was a massive 7 second personal best performance and Sean was also in brilliant form when he clipped
1 second off his best time over 800 metres when he clocked 1.58.28. At the same meet James Ledingham was in super form following on from his indoor 800 national bronze when he filled 3rd place over 1,500 metres with a time of 3.53.63 for another. Great run from the army officer.
1916-2016-100 Marathons Ted O’Leary 6th WE are commissioning a commemorative singlet and T shirt to mark this year's 100 marathon challenge. It's a 'one off' order and is not replacing the club singlet. The t shirts and singlets we will receive will be screen printed (same as 10 mile T-shirts) and the colour on the logo will match the tshirt / singlet. We are also taking orders for club buffs - Cost €7. Each garment has an option of male or female specific fit and are fairly true to size. We have some samples that can be tried on. Cost €20 payable when you order. How to order Please put the money in an envelope and mark on the envelope 1. Your name 2. Whether it's a t-shirt or singlet you require 3. Size 4. Male or female fit 5. Amount of money enclosed Please do not arrive at training or the league with money saying 'put me down for ....' as the chances of your order being incorrect are very high !Deadline for ordering Friday, 21st May at the Ardmore 5 race. This will be the only order we place prior to the Dublin City Marathon so don't hesitate. Can be ordered on the following dates 3rd / 10th / 17th May before training on a Tuesday night in the Friary. 11th / 17th May before Minnie's league 21st May in Ardmore before the race. Please order directly with Irene and if you cannot make any of these dates contact me on (086) 8242348
in Ballyhoura Mountain Marathon WELL done to club member Ted O’Leary on his run last Saturday in the Ballyhoura mountain marathon. Ted showed a huge improvement in this event this year when he finished a very creditable 6th overall with a time of 4.15. Ted also ran this event last year when on that occasion he finished in a time of 4.58.23 for 29th. So brilliant running this year from Ted and a huge improvement on time and race placing from 2015.