6th December 2010- Results and Fixtures

Mick Hayden Honoured by Offaly Association London

Last Saturday week in London long serving club member Mick Hayden was honoured by the Offaly Association of London when he was presented with an award in recognition of his six decades of outstanding contribution to athletics in Tullamore and Offaly. Below is the citation that was read out on the night which gives a brief summary of the athletic achievements of the legend Mick Hayden.

Mick Hayden residing in Cloonagh, Tullamore, married to Kathleen and father to Sharon, Michael and Darren is a magnificent and faithful servant to Tullamore Harriers for over 50 years. From the latter part of the 1950s until the present day Mick has held positions in the club at all levels as well as wearing the blue and white singlet of the Harriers along with the Offaly and Ireland vests with distinction. Having had a very successful career on the GAA fields with winning county senior titles in both hurling and football with the Tullamore club and playing with the Offaly minors for two years among his achievements, Mick took up the sport of athletics and his talent and hard work resulted in many successes on the track, road and cross country as well as in the administrative and coaching areas of the sport.

Listing all his competitive successes here would be an achievement in itself. During the 1950s,1960s and 1970s as a senior he had many wins including the County Senior title at Cross Country and road races around the country, producing outstanding times including a 50 minute 10 miles on the road. From the 1980s onwards he came into his own as a master athlete with highlights including a world class marathon time of 2 hours 21 minutes in Dublin at the age of 41, having the world’s best 5000m time for his age group during one year, competing in the New York City marathon and representing Ireland at the World Championships in South Africa. This is only a small taste of Mick’s individual success. In competition as a “club” man Mick was without equal, the driving force behind many Tullamore Harriers team wins. There are many stories of Mick and three or four others in a car, with Mick driving to all parts of Ireland on a Sunday and returning with the team trophy. Among the titles gained was the famed Oman Cup in the Phoenix Park and many more too numerous to mention. At national master championships Mick and his fellow Harriers owned the cross country title for many years. These were the days of the true amateur with a medal meaning so much and no monetary reward.

Besides competing Mick has and continues to make a huge contribution to the sport in Tullamore and Offaly. For years, athletes of all ages have arrived for club and county road and cross country championships with the course measured and marked out already by Mick with the minimum of fuss. Acting as Club handicapper he always ensures many tight finishes to the annual club races; this is an art in itself. For the Quinlan Cup hosted for many years as well as competing, Mick acted as MC. Tullamore Harriers became the world’s first private owners of a tartan track in the late 1970s and from then to this day Mick has been central in making sure the stadium facilities are in pristine condition for the many county, provincial, national and international championships hosted by the Harriers in the stadium. Mick has been an integral part of the fund raising for the club right from the days of the club having a carnival in a marquee through the fork suppers, concerts, dances and discos in the Social Centre. It is quite possible that many here tonight have been to the Harriers on at least one of these social occasions and for sure Mick was there on duty, often to the small hours of the following morning before undertaking one of the afore mentioned car trips and competing at the highest level.

As well as competing for and being an able administrator and dedicated committee member of the club, Mick also has a passion for coaching. Many members of the club have benefited from his expertise and gone on to produce great results themselves. Many would also attest to taking part in training sessions with him on the roads around Tullamore as being great memories and enjoyable experiences. In 2008 there was huge excitement and a just reward to Mick’s long career in coaching, when Pauline Curley who he coached, qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games. Pauline who was present here on the occasion of tonight’s event in 2008, achieved the time in Rotterdam earlier that year. Mick was present in Beijing and along with his daughter Sharon cycled the Olympic course alongside Pauline and was at the stadium for the finish of the Tullamore Olympian’s race. For sure a proud moment for all Offaly people and Tullamore Harriers but especially for Mick.

As well as athletics Mick is an avid follower of all sports, including travelling on many occasions to support the Faithful County teams and going to two soccer World Cups to cheer on the National team . Mick Hayden is a very unassuming character and has never sought any limelight or credit for his achievements and acts over the many years of service and is a worthy recipient of any recognition or award.

Fixtures.
December 19th : National Novice Cross Country Championships, Charleville Estate, Tullamore.
December 21st : Grand National 5k handicap road race at 7.00pm.
December 25th : GOAL Mile.

Training: Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am Except on a race day. New members always welcome.
With the dark evenings now upon us it is important to be seen on the roads so reflective gear must be worn while training on the roads

Membership is now due. Forms available in clubhouse.