16th August 2010- Results and Fixtures

Record Breaking Performances in National League
The final of the Woodie’s DIY National track and field league was held last Saturday in Tullamore Harriers stadium and many of the athletes who represented Ireland in international events over the course of the season were in action striving to earn points for their teams. Our mens team were competing in the Premier division and were pitted against Menapians AC., Cloniffe Harriers, Dundrum South Dublin, City of Derry, Raheny Shamrocks, St Abbans AC and Kerry Athletics club. The team performed admirably and finished in sixth place with a total of 91.5 points. However this does not tell the full story as they were only six points away from second place DSD and 5.5 points off third placed City of Derry.

On a day of some great performances, pride and place must go to the relay teams who smashed both the 4x100 metre and 4x400 metre relay club records. The first record to fall was the 4x100 metre relay when Alan Whelan, Gordon Kennedy, Fearghus Hannon and Eoin Hannon combined to finish a close second and smash the old record with a time of 41.60. At the end of a long tiring day the same quartet teamed up to win the 4x400 metre relay in another club record time of 3.14.50.

Stephen Kelly was another athlete who excelled when he placed fourth in the Pole vault and in the process equalled the club record with a 3.40 metre clearance. European 400 metre semi finalist Gordon Kennedy had a comfortable victory in the 400 metres in 47.97 and a good second place in the 100 metres in 11.00. Eoin Hannon was placed second in the Long Jump with a leap of 6.74 and took fifth in the Triple Jump with 13.12 metres. Fearghus Hannon was fourth in a competitive 200 metres in 22.61.

In the throwing events Babu Matthew, Darragh Hanlon and Tom Rafferty all gained valuable points with Babu taking fifth in the shot putt with 11.73 and Darragh finishing fourth in both the Discus and the Hammer with 40.20 and 36.86 respectively. Tom Rafferty launched the javelin out a distance of 44.69 metres for a good third place. Others who contributed greatly to the team on the day were Catch Grennan, Cormac Troy, John Harkin, Larry Rigney, Richie Faulkner and Paul Kilmartin.

The womens team competed in Division One where they finished in eight place. Our highest point scorers on the day were Kelly Cunningham in the Discus and Georgina Touhey in the 1500 metre walk who both placed second. Lauren Dunne was fourth in the 100 metres and sixth in the 200 metres. Pauline Curley finished in third place in the 3000 metres and was fifth in the 800 metres. Liz Cuskelly gained points in the 400 metres when placing seventh as did Maire Triona Keane with a good fourth place in the 1500 metres. Lisa Dolan was fourth in the Hammer and seventh in the Javelin while Niamh Mullen placed seventh in the Long Jump.

Results :
Men : 100m 2nd Gordon Kennedy 11.00 ; 200m 4th Fearghus Hannon 22.61 ; 400m 1st Gordon Kennedy 47.97 ; 800m 7th Catch Grennan 2.01.5 ; 1500m 7th Cormac Troy 4.25.96 ; 5000m 6th John Harkin 16.35.27 ; 110m hurdles 6th Stephen Kelly 17.218 ; 400m hurdles 7th Paul Kilmartin 69.93 ; 3000m steeplechase 6th Richie Faulkner 11.58.98 ; 3000m Walk Larry Rigney DQ ; High Jump 5th Stephen Kelly 1.70 ; Long Jump 2nd Eoin Hannon 6.74 ; Triple Jump 5th Eoin Hannon 13.12 ; Pole Vault 4th Stephen Kelly 3.40 (equals club record ) ; Shot Putt 5th Babu Matthew 11.73 ; Discus 4th Darragh Hanlon 40.20 ; Javelin 3rd Tom Rafferty 44.69 ; Hammer 4th Darragh Hanlon 36.86 ; 56lbs for distance 6th Tom Rafferty 5.35 ; 4x100m relay 2nd 41.60 (new club record ) ; 4x400m 1st 3.14.50 (new club record ).

Women : 100m 4th Lauren Dunne 13.61 ; 200m 6th 28.23 ; 400m 7th Liz Cuskelly 71.19 ; 800m 5th Pauline Curley 2.27.63 ; 1500m 4th Maire Triona O’Connor 4.54.66 ; 3000m 3rd Pauline Curley 10.15.13 ; 1500m Walk 2nd Georgina Touhey 7.33.59 ; Long Jump 7th Niamh Mullen 4.27 ; Shot Putt 7th Kelly Cunningham 7.66 ; Discus 2nd Kelly Cunningham 28.28 ; Javelin 7th Lisa Dolan 17.64 ; Hammer 4th Lisa Dolan 28.76.

Kinnegad 5k road race.
The continuing rise in popularity of running was further emphasised in the first running of the Kinnegad 5k road race which attracted a huge field of 330 runners last Wednesday evening. The evening was mild and sunny, so running conditions were perfect for the race. The layout of the course was met with universal approval, being mainly flat and therefore fast. Declan Fahey was our best placed finisher in 9th place in a time of 16.18. Pauline Curley was 30th overall and was the second woman to finish and clocked 17.32. Ray Martin in 49th place recorded a new personal best with 19.03 and Charles Malone improved on his last 5k in Daingean to finish 140th in a time of 24.15.

Caroline Kearney Memorial Triathlon.
The fourth Caroline Kearney memorial Triathlon was held in Lilliput, Mullingar last Saturday and consisted of a 1500 metre swim, 40k cycle and a 10k run. Mary Daly finished in 43rd place overall and was placed 4th woman in a good time of 2.18.24 with splits of 24.24 s, 1.09.32 c and 42.47 r. Adrian Martin was competing in his first triathlon and did very well to finish 142nd in a time of 2.31.43 with splits of 29.17 s, 1.15.33 c and 44.28 r. Pat Conlon was also competing in his first triathlon and was placed 180th in 2.38.55. Pat’s splits were 29.54 s, 1.25.49 c and 40.55 r.

Fixtures
September 5th : Gowran 8 at 10.00 am.
September 19th : Neville 10 at 10.00 am.
September 26: Portarlington 10k road race.

Training: Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am Except on a race day. New members always welcome.