Sligo AC News: Running Shoes

September is a funny old month in the athletics world. The track season comes to an end in August and the cross country season doesn’t begin until well into October. Most top class athletes take a couple of weeks off this time of year to re charge their batteries and to help heal any lingering injuries they may have. It is also a time to plan for the long winter that lies ahead. Athletes at this time of year should be sitting down with their coaches and planning exactly which races they are going to take part in and the races they plan to peak for. Of course the national championships in cross country should be the priority for our distance athletes this winter. The national inter counties is the most important of these championships as it serves as a trial for the European cross country which will take place this year in Portugal on Sunday December 12th. Mary Cullen will be running the trial which will be in Derry on November 27th. Eimear O’Brien who is now back in Sligo after her three year athletic scholarship in the USA will also be running this and may have an outside chance of making the team. Eimear made the under 23 team two years ago in Belgium. Tommy Casey who had such a wonderful track season will be aiming to make the mens junior team and Anna Reddin will also be hoping to be competitive in the trial for the junior ladies team. The National novice cross country will also be a big attraction for a lot of our athletes and a strong Sligo team will travel to the Tullamore venue for this event. Sligo master athletes will have no excuse not to participate in their national cross country championships this year as it will be held in Sligo race course in early February. The AAI intermediate championships are also on in this venue and again strong teams in ladies and men’s races from Sligo are expected to breast the tape. Of course a lot of our road runners are busy pounding the highways and byways in preparation for the forthcoming AAI national marathon which is held in conjunction with the Dublin City Marathon. An ideal road race to test where they are at in their preparations is the Grange 10k which will take place next Sunday. This is always a well-organised race with a good prize structure. A team race is held as well and with teams such as Mayo AC, Letterkenny AC, the host club North Sligo AC and Sligo AC all fielding teams a close race is expected to ensue. The battle for individual honours should be no less exciting so expect plenty of excitement on Sunday at the North Sligo venue.

Dromahair 4 Mile Race Report

The annual Dromahair Road Race took place on Sunday afternoon last, 19th September, at 3pm. As per usual the junior race got proceedings underway beforehand. As the rain closed in over 130 competitors jossled for position at the start line. One of the organisers, Danny Hannon, had a few quick words and then the field took off. Almost from the start a breakaway bunch of three pulled away from the rest of the pack; North Leitrims Liam Feely, Leitrim Native Derek Croal (Bohermeen AC) and North Sligo's Thomas McBride. Indeed this was the way it would remain for the entire race with these three athletes finishing as stated. Feely broke the course record with a super time of 20.54, Croal came in at 21.35 with McBride 22.41. Other strong runs from Sligo AC athletes Seamus Somers (4th) Tom Meehan (5th) Neil Higgins (6th) Mel Casserly (7th) and Sligo Tri-Clubs Conal Sexton (8th) made the top of the field a competitive one. Sligo AC's Cindy McCarthy ran a fine race to take the womens section in a time of 27.42 with fellow clubmate Roseanne Mitchell battling for second (28.06) with Ann Hunter third (28.08). North Sligo's Aishling van Rensburg also ran strongly finishing in 4th position. The organisation, stewarding and post race refreshments were of the highest order, which is now the norm for this popular race on the local racing calendar. With proceeds going to the charity S.T.O.P it was a very worthwhile and enjoyable day for all.

Cross Country Fixture List 2010/2011

1st Oct Co Sligo Primary Schools Relays. Sligo IT, Sligo
9th Oct Co Sligo Primary Schools CC. Calry, Co.Sligo
16th Oct Co. Sligo CC U11 – U19. Racecourse, Cleveragh, Sligo
17th Oct Sligo AC Womens 5K.
23rd Oct Connaught Primary Schools CC. Sligo 1.00 p.m
Entries from Counties before 20th Oct ; €10 per team €3 per individual
31st Oct Connaught Even Ages and Intermediate/Masters. Ballina 1.00 p.m.
Entries to Marian Mattimoe closing date 24th Oct €3 individual €10 per team €15 Co.team
14th Nov Connaught Uneven ages and Novice. Roscommon 1.00 p.m.
Closing date 7th Nov €3 individual €10 per team €15 Co Team
28th Nov National Even ages Cork CIT
19th Dec National Uneven ages and Novice Tullamore, Co.Offaly
9th Jan '11 Connaught Senior/Junior CC Ballina, Co.Mayo
Closing date 2nd Jan €3 individual €10 per team
6th Feb National Intermediate & Masters & Juvenile ‘B’ Racecourse, Cleveragh, Sligo
5/6th Mar Connaught Indoors U11 – U19 Nenagh, Co.Tipperary

Sligo AC: News Update

As we embark on another cross country season its an opportune time to reflect on the achievements of our club members over the past year. A total of 13 national individual medals have been won by 11 of our athletes over the last 12 months. This includes Juveniles, Seniors and Masters. To celebrate this a small party has been organised in Sligo Southern Hotel on Saturday evening Oct 9th at 7pm. It is hoped that all our Juveniles and Parents as well as our Seniors, Masters, Coaches,and Officials will attend. Finger food will be provided. It is proposed that a small memento be presented to each of our medal winners to mark their achievement. We may be able to get a high profile athlete such as Paul Hession, Rob Heffernan or Mary Cullen to make the presentation and speak to our Juveniles. A sponsor may be got to help defray the cost of the evening.
Regards
Ray Flynn, Chairman Sligo A.C.