Sligo Coast to Coast 10 Mile Charity Run / Walk / Roll

Sligo Coast to Coast 10 Mile Charity Run / Walk / Roll
- Sunday, 28th September, 2014
- Walkers start time: 11:00am / Runners: 12:00pm
- Entry fee €20

Fund raising for "in-home" crisis support for people with complex disabilities who live at home through the support of their families.

All proceeds from the event will be managed by the Sligo Carers Association

The Sligo Coast to Coast 10 miler will commence in Strandhill and most of the 10 miles will be run along the coastal road linking the seaside villages of Strandhill and Rosses Point.

This is an excellent surface and is used daily by local runners. The route has been accurately measured and Athletics Ireland Approved.

Closing Date for entries is 28th September 2014 (or when quota is filled)
• Registration at Sligo Yacht club, Rosses Point Sligo on Saturday the 27th of September from 6.00pm - 8.00pm and Sunday the 28th from 8.00am - 10.30am.

• T-shirt and Numbers to be collected at registration in Sligo Yacht Club, Rosses Point.
Refreshments and prize giving will take place after the event in Sligo Yacht club.

Sionnach Relay Series: Announcing THE MINI-SIONNACH

The Sionnach Relay Series is delighted to announce the addition of the Mini-Sionnach to the event which will allow teams of 4 to run the last two of the planned four loops (each loop comprises approximately 8Km).

Only one runner hits the road at a time and each participant runs both loops with a rest in between. A full Sionnach consists of 8 runners and 4 * 8 km loops to be completed. The mini Sionnach has 4 runners and 2 * 8km loops to be completed. The loops have been designed to showcase the best of Sligo with the route taking runners variously via Hazelwood, Lough Gill, The Wild Atlantic Way and through the town itself.

Entry is currently open at www.sionnachrelay.com and runners can either enter as a complete team or link up with other individual entrants via the Sionnach Facebook page and on twitter @sionnachrelay.

The focus is firmly on fun and runners of all fitness levels are welcome to take part. The Hub of the race will be at the Institute of Technology, Sligo where there will be camping space, live music, massage, yoga and various other activities to enjoy when not out running.

Teams are being encouraged to think creatively with prizes available for Best Team Name, Best Costumes and Best Team Tent. The official charity of The Sionnach Relay is the Irish Cancer Society and, by taking part, runners will be helping to raise much needed funds and in turn help the North West Hospice. Fundraisers can also choose to raise additional funds and those raising a further €100 for the official charity using the JustGiving system will get a second medal in recognition of their efforts.

Patrick McCarrick (Race Director) said “we knew that a lot of people had their plans for July 26 and 27 ruined and we wanted to offer an alternative weekend to music and running fans. Given the short timescales we decided a Mini-Sionnach was necessary and we are accepting runners and walkers now via the website – www.sionnachrelay.com.

Sligo’s Fit4Life Women’s 5K Series is back!

Sligo’s Fit4Life Women’s 5K Series is back!

A series of four 5KM events around County Sligo for female walkers, joggers and runners (aged 16+). All abilities and fitness levels welcome.

• Event 1: Tuesday 27th May 2014 – Doorly Park, Sligo
• Event 2: Tuesday 10th June 2014 – Skreen, West Sligo
• Event 3: Tuesday 24th June 2014 – Tubbercurry, South Sligo
• Event 4: Tuesday 8th July 2014 – Grange, North Sligo

Start time: 7:30pm sharp, with registration from 6:30pm each day.

Registration for available here.

Sionnach Relay 2014

Sionnach Relay Event Sligo IT July 26th 2014

The format explained further...

Find out more and signup here.

The Amcor Annual Sligo AC 8K

The Amcor Annual Sligo AC 8K is on Friday May 16th at 7pm. Chip timing is provided by precision timing who will also be doing on-line registration [link]. There will be prizes for the top 3 male & female athletes across the finish line along with various category prizes.

Weekend Update

A brilliant run by Sligo AC athlete David Harper was the highlight of the weekends athletic action. The occasion was the all Ireland cross country schools championship held in Cork. Harper won the bronze medal in the senior boys race and led his school to team gold. Congrats to Sligo coach Dermot Mc Dermott who had a big input to the coaching of this winning team. Harpers good form is a huge fillip to the Sligo AC team who next month defend their team title in the AAI relay championships. 

Over the last couple of weeks we have seen some very encouraging runs from Sligo athletes in road races. Richard Gorman led the team home to gold medals in the Bundoran 10 mile. His time of 53mins 57secs was good enough for 8th place. Likewise Lucy Brennan led the women to team victory and she also won the over 50 title, a feat which Enda Whelan also achieved in the men's over 60. The men's team who scored with Richard Gorman was Michael O Connell, Damian Kennedy and Paul Deering. The women's team was Lucy Brennan, Roseanne Mitchell, Deirdre Deering and Pauline Henry.

Richard Gorman also ran well in Carrick-on-Shannon where he finished 2nd in 33mins 14secs in a 10 km road race. Seamus Somers collected the over 40 award clocking 35:21, while Dromahair native Danny Hannon is still very competitive collecting the over 50 award.

Latest News

Another busy week for Sligo A.C. athletes with members competing at venues in Athlone, Carrick-On-Shannon, Bundoran and Dundalk.

On Wednesday evening a Grand Prix International was held in Athlone with Emmett Dunleavy, Colm Bourke, and Dermot McDermott performing well.

The big event of the weekend was the A.A.I. Connaught Juvenile Championships indoors in Athlone. Plenty of medals crossed the Shannon on route to the club. Gold medals were won by David Harper, Orlaith Mulvihill, Colm Bourke, Roisin Clarke, Finley Daley, Robbie Kelly, and Zak Irwin. Silver medals went to Orlaith Delahunt, Jack Cawley, Meave Mopney, Stacy Kerr, Eva Delahunt, James Mc Geogh and Thomas Delahunt. Bronze medal winners were Cathal Corcoran Lauren Cadden, Leo Doherty, and Claire Conlon. Silver relay medals also came to the Girls relay teams comprising of Ellie Mc Geogh, Lauren Cadden, Aoife Morris and Eimear Joyce. The boys relay team also got bronze and the club colours were carried by Jack Cawley, Jack Connor, Noel Bourke, and Cathal Corcoran. All those athletes now qualify for All Ireland finals in two weeks time which is a wonderful achievement for the club.

In Dundalk Rory Connor represented the club in the national cross country and performed well.

Meanwhile club athletes were out in force in good class road races in Bundoran and Carrick with a full report next week.

Fit 4 Life Spring League 2014 Announced

With Spring in the air (or somewhere) attached is a short series of runs to clear the cobwebs.

Those who have done the series before know the format. Please encourage others to get active.

The beginners series should suit those with a view to completing a 5 or 10k as Summer approaches.

Download the poster here.

Latest News

It has been another great week for Sligo A.C. athletes.

The week started with a call up for Emmett Dunleavey to the International squad. The event was the International road races in Armagh on Thursday night last. Emmett did himself, the club, and his country, proud by being second Irishman home on the team recording 14mins 35secs, a new personal best and club record on the road.

On Saturday evening in Spain, Alberto Sanchez, finished a magnificent 3rd to take the bronze medal in the Spanish championships.

On Sunday last it was the A.A.I. Intermediate, Masters and Juvinile B development races. The club were represented in most races and were out in force. The performance of the day came from Dermot McDermott, who literally ran his heart out to finish just outside the medals in 4th place. The fact that Dermot's preparation was hampered by sickness probably cost him a medal but he can still be happy with 4th in a high class race. Fintan Whelan also ran a good race and finished in mid division. In the masters race, which had a record field of nearly 300 toe the line, David Kearns led the squad home followed by Mel Casserly, Conal Sexton and Rory Connor.

Our Juveniles gained valuable experience with the top performance of the day coming from Ross Doherty who finished 9th in the under 11 boys race. Other good performances came from Laura Joyce, Leo Doherty, Aoife Morris, Liam Carty, Cliona Walsh, Meabh Walsh, Caoimhe Connor,  Alannah O Reilly, Cliodna O Sullivan and Amy Deering amongst others.

Next weekend it's the Connaught Juvinile championships in Athlone. Buses will depart from Pearse Road at 7.45am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Dunleavy sets new club 5K record!

A fabulous PB of 14.35 and a new Sligo AC road 5k record saw Emmett Dunleavy finish as the leading member of the Irish Team in last nights Armagh International Road Race 5k. An amazing 45 men ran sub 15 minutes with Morpeth ACs Nick McCormick representing England winning in a time of 14.11.

Bus for Intermediate, Masters, and B Championships

A bus will depart at 7.45am from Roamer furniture Pearce Road on Sunday next (February 23rd) en route to National Intermediate, Mastets, and B championships in Dunboyne.

Intending passengers are asked to assemble not later than 7.40am.


The cost of the bus is €5 per person. Athletes are reminded that it is a National event and therefore Club vests must be worn.

Buses for Connacht Indoors

Buses will depart at 7.45am from Roamer Furniture, Pearse Road, on March 1st and 2nd, en route to Connacht Indoor Championships in Athlone.

On Saturday, March 1st, the U12 to U15's are in action, and on the Sunday, the U16 to U19's, and Seniors are in action.

Intending passengers are asked to assemble not later than 7.40am. Cost is €5 per person.

National Indoors

Sligo AC was well represented at the National Indoors in Athlone over the weekend.

Most of the representatives were Junior Athletes acquiring experience at Senior level.

Zak Irwin exceeded expectations by taking Silver in the 200ms Final having qualified already for the 60ms Final by running heats semi final and final where he was fifth in a blanket finish. He also had to qualify for the 200ms final with a second place finish in his heat.

In the Womens 3k race walk Brenda Gannon was 4th, while Orlaith Delahunt, only 16 gained valuable experience. In the long jump, Colm Bourke and Emily Burns, did well, while Emmet Dunleavy preparing for his debut Marathon was 5th in the Senior 3k race.

Fermanagh Cross Country

Pictured after receiving their medals from Gerry Lynch President of Athletics Northern Ireland after the Fermanagh Cross Country yesterday are Sligo AC members Riona Conor winner of the U16event Jack Conor 2nd in the U14 event and Cathal Corcoran winner of the U14 event. Well done guys!

Sligo AC 2014 Committee

We had our AGM last night and a new Chairman and Committee were elected. Gary Reynolds will hold the hot seat for 2014, ably supported by Vanessa Foley as Vice Chair. Carina Clarke is taking the position of Secretary, Joe Davey is the new Treasurer, with Cindy McCarthy remaining on as Child Protection Officer. Ray Flynn has taken responsibility for Public Relations. Seamus Somers and Deirdre Deering fill the captains positions for the season ahead.

The club are delighted to retain the expertise of Anne McHugh (Registrar) and Terry Hayes (Coaches Rep) for the year ahead.

Some of our new committee for 2014 - Cindy McCarthy, Ray Flynn, Joe Davey, Vanessa Foley, Carina Clarke and Gary Reynolds

We wish the new committee all the best for the year head!

Upcoming Events

February

• February 2nd
  - Athletics Ireland Open Games
    AIT Arena, Athlone

• February 5th
  - Sligo AC AGM
    Southern Hotel, Sligo

• February 15/16th
  - Athletics Ireland Senior Indoor Championships
    AIT Arena, Athlone

• February 23rd
  - Athletics Ireland Intermediate/Master and
    Juvenile Development Cross Country
    Dunboyne, Co. Meath

March

• March 1st
  - Connacht Indoor Championships
    AIT Arena, Athlone
  
  - Bundoran 10mile and 10k (AAI Licenced)
    Bundoran, Co. Donegal

• March 2nd
  - Athletics Ireland Interclub Cross Country
  - Athletics Ireland Juvenile Intercounty Cross Country Relay Championships
    Venue to be confirmed

• March 16th
  - Athletics Ireland National Indoor Club League Final
    AIT Arena, Athlone

• March 17th
  - Tubbercurry 10k (AAI Licenced)

• March 22/23rd & 29th
  - Athletics Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
    AIT Arena, Athlone

April

• April 6th
  - Athletics Ireland National 10k Championships (Great Ireland Run)
    Phoenix Park, Dublin

• April 13th
  - Athletics Ireland Road Relay Championships. Seniors and Masters.
    Raheny, Dublin 

Anyone looking to take part in any of the Athletics Ireland National events should contact the club via email or make their intention known through a coach or any club official. Members MUST have 2014 membership paid up in order to take part. Forms can be found here.

AN OFFICIAL CLUB SINGLET MUST BE WORN WHEN COMPETING AT ANY NATIONAL EVENT OR WHEN REPRESENTING THE CLUB IN LICENSED EVENTS FOR TEAM PRIZES ETC.

AGM Notice

Sligo AC will hold their AGM on Wednesday February 5th at 8pm in the Southern Hotel.

All Members are asked to attend and new members are very welcome.

2014 Memberships can be taken on the night also. Forms can be found here.

David Harper winning the Junior 1500M at AIT 2014

Video courtesy of Alan Kearins

Championship Success

David Harper, Sligo AC - Junior 1500 Champion

Sligo AC was well represented last weekend, with the Masters Championships on Saturday, and, the Under 23 and Junior Championships on Sunday in Athlone IT.

The highlight on Saturday had to be the double gold achieved by John Mc Dermott over 200 and 400 meters. Approaching the over 70 category, John achieved a time of 64.8 seconds for the 400 meters as he won in a canter and he won the 200 meters in similar facile fashion.

Henry Rowan took a high jump gold while Trish Foy 1500 meters, and Kevin Mc Gloin took silver medals over 1500 meters and 800 meters respectively, while Ramsay Slott, a Scottish member of the club was fourth over 60 meters and 3rd over 200 meters. Alan Kearins had a good time in a competitive 1500 meters and will be pleased with his performance.

On Sunday attention turned to Juniors (Under 20) and Under 23s. David Harper produced the outstanding performance by winning the Junior 1500 meters by a wide margin. Emily Burns took a bronze long jump medal, but encouragingly many younger Athletes took the opportunity to get valuable experience at a top level.

Stacey Kerr was rewarded with a qualification for a final over 200 meters, as was Aaron Cadden, as both had done well over 60ms and were running against older competitors.

Similarly Graham Kerr 60 meters and 200 meters, Graham Burke 200 and 400 meters, and Orlaith Delahunt 3k walk were competing against older Athletes but will have learned a lot from the experience.

Orla Mulvihill 1500 meters and Rianne McHugh 800 meters were pitched in against International competition and came away with personal best times well ahead of previous performances.

Zak Irwin won his qualifying 60 meters heat in the fastest time of the day and in a blanket finish in the Final, where the top five Athletes were covered by 5 tenths of a second, he was just denied a podium finish. Such was the competitive nature of the Final that the European Junior Representative in 2013, Marcus Lawlor from Tullamore was relieved to take home a Bronze one tenth of a second ahead of the Sligo Athlete.

Colm Burke, long jump 4th and Triple Jump, was in top form and will look forward to a good season.