2nd August 2009 - Results and Fixtures

National Medals for Mulligan and Hannon.

The Woddies DIY National Track and Field Championships were held in Santry last weekend in which the Harriers were well represented. Joe Mulligan got his rewards for a lot of hard training when he won a national title in the junior 35lbs for height event with a throw of 4.10 metres.

In the long jump Eoin Hannon was hoping to get into the medals but with one jump remaining he was lying in fifth place. Eoin however kept his composure and on his final jump he recorded a seasons best distance of 7.32 metres which earned him the silver medal.

Fearghus Hannon qualified for the 400 metre final by finising third in his heat in 49.5. Fearghus was drawn in the less than favourable lane one for the final but battled hard to finish sixth in 49.65. There is no doubt that Fearghus with continued training has a bright future in this event.

It was a different story for Gordon Kennedy who in winning the 400 metres last year became the first Tullamore Harriers man to win a National track title. This summer however he has missed a lot of training through injury and he just failed to make it into the 400 metre final when he clocked 49.80 in the heats. Gordon fared a lot better in the 100 metres where he was second in his heats (11.40) and second in his semi-final in 11.25 into a big headwind. In the final Gordon was placed sixth in 11.50.

Ger Hensey came fifth in his heat in 11.82 into a -3.5 headwind, narrowly missing qualification to the semis and he was fourth in the 200 metre heats with 23.99.

Daingean 5k Road Race
The 10th annual Daingean Festival Road Race was held last Friday evening with 85 athletes lining out for the 5k race which was run on a course of four laps around the town. After a wet day it cleared up somewhat to allow the race to be run in reasonable weather. It was a very competitive race up front with Carlow man Pat Byrne winning in a time of 15.48, fifty metres ahead of Colm Burke with Ferbane’s Paul Buckley a close third in a time of 16.00. Pauline Curley was the first lady to finish in 17.22. Other Tullamore prize winners were John Donegan, Johnny Feery, Liz Cuskelly and Mary Daly.

Harriers results.
14 Pauline Curley 17.22 ; 19 John Donegan 17.49 (1st O45) ; 20 Eddie Garry 17.55 ; 21 Johnny Feery 17.56 (1st O50); 26 Liz Cuskelly 18.33 (2nd Senior lady); 29 Pat Conlon 18.45 ; 41 Mary Daly 20.00 (1st O45) ; 47 Paulina Pohja 20.27 ; 49 Maurice Fitzgerald 20.32 ; 50 Liam Byrne 20.32 ; 56 Andy O’Grady 21.24 ; 63 Paul Marsden 21.41 ; 65 Martina Conlon 22.10 ; 68 Ursula O’Reilly 22.29 ; 78 Jim Dolan 26.03.

Tribute to Eddie Rogers
Tullamore Harriers lost a great friend and indeed so did the sport of Athletics in Ireland with the passing of the veteran journalist Eddie Rogers last week. Eddie was closely associated with many club activities since its foundation; including the Sports Star Awards, reporting on many AGMs, major events like the Quinlan Cup, and numerous club events and county, provincial, national and international championships. Only one example of the longevity and dedication that he displayed is that when celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Tullamore Harriers New Years Eve road race in 2007/2008 Eddie was honoured for attending and reporting on all the editions of the race. 

For the sport, Eddie was the conduit to the National media for the results from all levels as well as reporting at local level. Always meticulous Eddie would ensure that all details regarding name, club and performance were accurate and all events were included before passing on for printing. As well as all the outstanding characteristics displayed in carrying out his profession, Eddie was also a friend and will be sorely missed. The athletics family was represented at his funeral by the President of the Athletics Association of Ireland, Liam Hennessy and many more. Tullamore Harriers joins with the sporting communities of Tullamore and Offaly in offering our deepest sympathies to his sons John, Ger and David and the extended Rogers family.

Fixtures
Sat August 8th National League FinalTullamore    
Wed August 12th Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath 5K Road Race: Juvenile 7pm, Senior 8pm.
Sun August 16th Woodie’s DIY/AAI Masters Track & Field Championships Tullamore

Training: Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am Except on a race day