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.

Sligo AC Update: Running Shoes!

A captivating European athletics track and field championships ended in Barcelona last week. Attending those championships as chairman of the Irish athletics federation high performance committee brought its own pressures and expectations with a large team of 34 athletes, team leaders and coaches. The target set by us was to win 2 medals and six top twelve placings. A brilliant silver medal win by Derval O’Rourke was our only medal win but we had a total of 11 top 12 finishes and in the process some outstanding performances. Throw in the fact that we had 6 Irish records and it will give some idea of the success of the championships from an Irish perspective. Brilliant and all as the medal win was you have to look at what Robert Heffernan achieved in Barcelona to get an idea of what real commitment and dedication to your sport means. He competed in two of the most gruelling events in the championships namely the 20k and 50k racewalks. Very unlucky to finish 4th in the 20klms he came out just 3 days later to claim 4th place in the 50klms. Rob epitomised the spirit of our team in Barcelona. Despite what criticism the media might have given athletes like David Gillick and Paul Hession, I still think they performed admirably. Ten years ago if someone said we would have three athletes in sprint finals at a European final they would have been laughed at. The fact that we were disappointed at a 5th and 6th place tells its own story. Altogether it was a very successful championships and gives us a great foundation as we head to the world championships next year and London in 2012. It was good to meet so many athletic fans from Sligo in Barcelona and in particular some young athletes. Let’s hope they were inspired by the Irish performances.
Next Saturday our county track and field team head to Tullamore for the National League Final. The target is promotion from the first division to the premier. With teams of the calibre of Ferrybank from Waterford, Tallagh from Dublin and Limerick county all vying from promotion places this will be no easy task. However with experience athletes such as David Kelly, Emmett Dunleavey and Martin Conroy coupled with the youthful enthusiasm of Tommy Carroll, Tommy Casey and David Burke we have every chance. Our field athletes will be crucial for picking up vital points and Aaron Murtagh and Alan Reynolds will hope to be in top form. It will take a supreme effort from all the team to gain promotion but I’m confident the team is up to the task.
Finally this week well done to Sligo AC athlete Emmett Dunleavy who ran a personal best time of 14mins36secs for 5000mts on route to victory in a race in Brussels on Saturday evening.

Dunleavy smashes club record!

Sligo AC athlete Emmett Dunleavy smashed the club record for 1500 metres at a race meet in London earlier in the week. The previous record of 3.48.34 which Dunleavy set in Birmingham in 2006 was lowered to 3.47.89, a fantastic achievement for the Dromore West native. That Dunleavy was in great shape was never in any doubt after he lowered his pb for 5000 metres in Brussels the previous week to 14 minutes 36 seconds. This kind of form augers well for the Sligo Athletics team entered in the final of the National League which takes place this Sunday, 15th August, in Tullamore, Co.Offaly.

A growing Sligo team has already excelled in rounds one and two of the national league; with a good showing at the weekend they may gain promotion. Athletes such as Kevin McGlynn, Aaron Murtagh, Dermot McDermott, David Kelly, Tommy Casey, Martin Conroy, Ryan Monaghan Gary Hynes, Stephen Reynolds, Conal Boal, Ciaran Collins and David Heath have all performed to a very high standard in their respective events. Once again with athletes the calibre of Emmet Dunleavy & Tommy Carroll joining in this will no doubt help push this growing Sligo team to the summit of team athletics in Ireland. We wish them all the very best of luck.