Weekend Round-up: Gerard flying in Cardiff

Another busy weekend for the club with members in action in Cardiff, Raheny and Athlone.

Gerard O'Donnell had another very solid weekend when he finished fifth in the 60m Hurdles at the Welsh Indoor Championships in Cardiff. His times of 7.92 (heat) and 7.94 (Final) were his best of the season so far as he seems to be coming nicely into form.

A large contingent of club members were in action in the Raheny 5 in Dublin on Sunday with Dean & Melissa Beirne, Graham Allen, Pat Heffernan, Adrian Lyons & Helen O'Gara. No times yet and sorry if we've missed anyone.

Finally in Athlone, Cathal McElgunn and Kyle McNabola were both in action over 400m at the Athletics Ireland U23 & Junior Indoors. Cathal's 52.77 was his fastest ever season opener and faster than any time he ran last year as he finished fourth in a strong heat. Kyle was a good 53.65 but was balked when a runner cut in on top of him after the break on the home straight. Kyle lost a lot of momentum but produced a strong start to the season.

 
 

Lauren top performer in North Connacht Schools Cross-country

Well done to all our members who performed so well in the North Connacht Schools Cross-country in Calry on Thursday.

We had some excellent performances in all age groups but topping everyone today was Lauren Reynolds who was a fantastic second in the Minor Girls race - a race that may have been her first outing on the country. Lauren started off conservatively but moved through the field at incredible pace and passed second and third in the final 200m to take second in a great performance.

Fiachra Henry was our next top finisher as he finished fifth in the Inter Boys race. Fiachra didn't ease down for this race, training hard on Tuesday and a conservative approach paid dividends as he cut through the field over the second lap and was very unlucky not to take fourth place.

Cian Mollahan put in a great strong run in the Minor Boys race, finishing an estimated eighth with a great strong performance while Iarlaith O'Brien came through strongly for 28th with Jack Keenehan 41st. Well done also to John Cunningham and Ryan Mulligan who rounded out the team.

Anna Corcoran, running for Drumshanbo VS, made light of recent illness to finish in the top ten in the Inter Girls, a nice solid run after her bout out of action.

Evan Corcoran was another top ten finisher, displaying his usual trademark strong finish in the Junior Boys race.

Congrats also to Ellie O'Rourke, who trains with our gang, on winning the Junior Girls race with an impressive performance.

Ayran Patrasco had a tough day with injury in the Senior Boys while Liam McGinn ran well in Inter Boys

When we get definite placings, we will let you all know.

See our club facebook page for more photos from Thursday's races.

Clive flying in Dundalk

Congrats to Clive Glancy on an excellent display in the National Novice in Dundalk IT on Sunday as he finished 37th in a race that featured an incredible 175 runners.
It's been a good few years since Clive tested himself in the Novice, having concentrated on the roads and the marathon in recent years, but he returned to his roots and got stuck in, just outside the top 20 on the first of three laps.
Clive maintained his place in the 20s for the second lap but came under severe pressure on the final lap but held on strong to record a time of 20.24 for the 6Km distance on a really fast good surface with some brutally testing short climbs.
Well done also to North Leitrim's Ryan Owens (57th) and our local physio John Russell (102nd) who were also in action in Dundalk in what has to be the most fiercely contested race on the Irish cross-country calendar.
Well done also to Anna Corcoran who put in a solid run to finish 73rd in the U17 Girls race. A year out of her age group, Anna made a good start in a big field and finished strongly, outsprinting a few rivals down the home straight to finish eighth runner from the Province which was an improvement on her 12th place finish in Westport.
And congrats to Ellie O'Rourke (Ballinamore AC) who again made the top 20 in Ireland as she finished 19th in the U15 Girls race, again a year out of her age group.
See our Facebook page for photos from the event.

Carrick-on-Shannon AC 2016/2017 Newsletter 3

Eanna Madden pictured with Packie Bonner and his family after winning the Senior Star award at the Leitrim Sport Star awards

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

The Club breaks for Christmas Holidays next week and the last session for the Primary School group will be held on Tuesday, December 13, in the Sports Complex and training will resume on Tuesday, January 10, at the usual times.  

The last Wednesday Gym session will be held on Wednesday, December 7, as older members will be competing on Wednesday, December 14. Training for the Post Primary group will continue over the Christmas Holidays, contact John Connolly for details.

Finally, we want to wish all our members and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CONGRATULATIONS EANNA

Congratulations to Eanna Madden who was named a joint winner of the Senior Sport Star of the Year award at the recent Leitrim Sport Star Awards, a fitting recognition for another great year. And also congratulations to the Carrick AC crew who won the Table Quiz again (with no help from Andrew Brennan who tried to shoehorn his way onto our winning team!).

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM

The one-way traffic system at the Complex has been a great success thanks to the co-operation of all our parents. Just remember that the system will remain in force when we return in the New Year.

2017 FIXTURES

Saturday, January 14: AAI Indoor League - AIT

Sunday, January 22: National Intermediate Cross-country - Tuam

Saturday, January 28: AAI Indoor League - AIT

Sunday, January 29: Athletics Ireland Junior & U23 Indoors - AIT

Sunday, February 5: AAI Games - Abbotstown

Sunday, February 12: National Masters and B Cross Country - Waterford

Wednesday, February 15: AIT International Grand Prix - AIT

February 18/19: Athletics Ireland Senior Indoors - Abbotstown

Saturday/Sunday, February 25/26: Western Region Indoors - AIT

Saturday, March 4: IUAA Universities Indoors -

Sunday, March 5: Athletics Ireland Masters Indoors - AIT

Saturday, March 11: Irish Schools Cross-country - Mallusk, Belfast

March 25/26: Athletics Ireland Juvenile Indoors - AIT

Saturday, April 2: Athletics Ireland Juvenile Indoors - AIT

April7-8: IUAA Universities Track & Field

Saturday, June 3: All-Ireland Schools Track & Field - Tullamore

Saturday, June 10: Connacht Juvenile Team events and U12 T&F in Sligo

Saturday, June 17: Connacht U13-Senior T&F in Sligo

Saturday, July 1: Athletics Ireland U23 & Junior track & Field

July 8 & 9: Athletics Ireland Juvenile Track & Field - Tullamore

July 15: Athletics Ireland Juvenile Relays - Tullamore

July 16: Athletics Ireland Juvenile Track & Field - Tullamore

July 22-23: Athletics Ireland Senior Track & Field - Santry

CONTACT POINT

If you have queries, contact Club Secretary John Connolly (0879446961), email connollyjohnb@eircom.net or message us on Facebook.

Our Facebook Page is closed to Friends Only so submit a Friend’s Request which will be returned promptly.

Eanna & Fiachra the headline acts

We had a busy weekend in two very different fields of activity with a strong contingent of Carrick AC at the Leitrim Sport Star Awards on Saturday night and Fiachra Henry in action on Sunday at the new cross-country course at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown on Sunday.

First of all, congratulations to Eanna Madden who was the Joint winner of the Senior Sport Star Award in The Landmark Hotel on Saturday night at the Leitrim Sport Star Awards.

Eanna had a magnificent 2016 as he represented Ireland at the European Senior Championships in Athlone and also moved well up the all-time lists over three different events.

It was a great year for Eanna but from chatting to him last Saturday, he is already setting his sights on 2017!

Eanna Madden pictured right with John Connolly and Mary O'Donnell after receiving his award

Congratulations also to club coaches Andrew Brennan and Siobhan Murtagh who were nominated in the Senior Sport Star category for their achievements in the world of triathlon & duathlon, they are certainly an inspiration for our young athletes.

Congratulations also to North Leitrim AC's Tom Kelly on winning the Volunteer of the Year Award and especially to Breege Connolly on winning the Overall Leitrim Sport Star of the Year award, a great night for Leitrim athletics.

On Sunday, Fiachra Henry was in action in the Irish Life Health National Cross-country Championships in Abbotstown, finishing a strong 78th in a tough U16 race on a very testing course at the National Sports Campus.

See our club facebook page for more photos from the weekend's activities.

Fiachra & Anna qualify for Nationals

Congratulations to Fiachra Henry and Anna Corcoran who both qualified for the Athletics Ireland Even Ages cross-country championships with strong performances at the Connacht Championships on Sunday in Galway.

On a superb new course at Southpark in Galway City, just beside Claddagh and the Spanish arch, we had just three athletes in action as Iarlaith O'Brien joined the two older runners in action on what was an ideal day for running.

Fiachra & Anna finished in the top 12 to qualify for the Nationals in Abbottstown at the end of November.

Fiachra produced a very strong race in the U16 boys, running strongly and aggressively in the early stages of a good quality race. Fiachra was as high as seventh at one stage but came under pressure over the latter half of the race. But even as he was being threatened, Fiachra produced a strong finish over the last 300m to ensure an 11th place finish and a place on the Connacht team.

Anna had a tougher experience in her U16 race as she got out strongly and put in a strong first half of the race but struggled a bit on the second half. However, like Fiachra, Anna showed great determination to finish strongly and hold onto 12th place, the last spot on the Connacht team.

Iarlaith O'Brien was bothered by a troublesome injury before the race started but insisted on taking part in the U14 Boys race. Despite being clearly hampered, Iarlaith ran strongly to finish in 30th place.

Congratulations also to Ellie O'Rourke, who trains with our distance gang, on winning the U14 Girls race in Galway with a commanding display, leading all the way before pulling away to a comprehensive win in the final stages. Congrats also to North Leitrim who won the U14 Girls team competition and Leitrim who finished second in the County race.

The action moves to Westport House next Sunday for the Connacht Uneven Ages Cross-country Championships.

Successful Carrick-on-Shannon AC AGM

Thanks to everyone who turned up on Wednesday evening, October 12, for our Annual General Meeting in The Bush Hotel. It wasn't the largest of attendances but we got a good bit of work done so a successful meeting.

Tribute was paid by our Chairperson Mary Finn to all our athletes who performed so well during the past year and in particular Eanna Madden on his great achievements which included competing in the European Senior Track & Field Championships in Amsterdam. 

The following were elected as officers for the coming year: 
Chairperson: Mary Finn
Vice-Chairperson: Clive Glancy
Secretary: John Connolly
Treasurer: Jenny McCabe
PRO: John Connolly
Coaching Officer: Siobhan Murtagh
Adult Co-ordinator: Graham Allen

Treasurer Jenny McCabe delivered her first AGM report and was happy to report on a good financial position for the club.

Secretary John Connolly also reported on the year past (see below) and he paid particular tribute to our internationals Eanna Madden, Clive Glancy and Gerard O'Donnell.

The meeting also passed the following motion: That all selections for County, Connacht and National competitions in individual events and relay teams are at the discretion of the qualified Club Coaches.

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club Secretary’s Report 2016

A short year as it is less than ten months since we held our last AGM. It may be a short time span but it has been a year full of great achievements, some wonderful developments for the club, a few problems but generally, it has been an outstanding year.

An Olympic year always heightens expectations in the athletics world and as a club, we were incredibly lucky to have two athletes chasing Rio qualification. That they didn’t make it does not lessen the excitement we felt at the progress and achievements of Eanna Madden and Gerard O’Donnell throughout the year. At this point, I’d like to congratulate Kinlough’s Breege Connolly who qualified for the marathon in Rio and did the county proud last August - it was great to see another Leitrim person on the Olympic stage.

Eanna won the National Senior 200m, represented Ireland at the European Championships on the 4 x 100m relay team, won National U23 titles indoors and out over 400m and 200m and broke into the top 20 All-Time Irish performances - and he did all of this while battling a persistent hamstring injury that greatly hampered his season. Eanna was a late comer to our sport but what an example of what can be achieved with dedication and focus.

Gerard O’Donnell took second in the Irish Indoor 60m Hurdles and seemed to be building a head of steam as he was destined for Amsterdam. Unfortunately, injury struck incredibly hard, knocking him out for the entire Summer but Gerard is fully back on track. Clive Glancy donned the Irish vest at the European Police Cross-country and turned in an incredible performance. As I wrote last year, Clive, and indeed Eanna & Gerard, is a great example of an athlete who has kept working hard over the years and has made some huge personal breakthroughs.

We didn’t get any National medals at juvenile club or school's level this year and Ellis Conway took home a fourth place medal from the U16 200m at the National Community Games but perversely, 2016 was one of our best years ever in terms of depth of performances. Toyosi Fagbo, Gerard Murtagh, Ellis Conway, Elise Bruen, Sean Brennan, Lauren Reynolds, Fiachra O’Dowd, Sophie McCabe, Luke & Oliver Charles, Diarmuid O’Connell, Dara Holmes, Caitlin Surlis, Evan Corcoran all finished in the top eight in National Finals while the relay teams of Callum Whelan, Brian Finn, Tom McCabe & Fiachra O’Dowd; Dhani Keane, Ben Finn, Daniel Martin & Gerard Murtagh and Patrick Charles, Emmet Regan, Gerard Murtagh and Toyosi Fagbo all qualified for National Indoor Finals.

Once again, I want to thank all our athletes for their hard work and dedication, it makes it so much easier to be a coach when you have athletes as interested and committed as we have.

That work was never as important as the numbers joining the club seems to have exploded again this year. Luckily, we have a dedicated bunch of volunteers and the impact that Siobhan Murtagh, Orla Keaney, Diane Charles, Karen Brennan and, in recent weeks, Donnacha Holmes and Andrew Brennan has had on the old guard of myself, Siobhan Whelan and Mary O’Donnell cannot be understated. It has restored our enthusiasm and it is a joy to go to training with so many willing hands there to help out.

Having said that, we desperately need more helpers, people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and help out. Everyone is more than welcome to help out as we cannot rely on the same core group of volunteers forever. Remember, we all started out as newbies and every little bit of help is desperately needed and gratefully accepted.

Such success does not happen without great cost, both in terms of time and effort but also financially and our “High Performance Plan” to help support our athletes was a welcome development. But the success wouldn’t happen either with the support and encouragement of our club coaches and our athletes families so well done to one and all. No more than a play on the stage, the stars are out front but an awful lot goes on behind the scenes.

2016 also saw us move to a new supplier of club gear in JOMA/Teamwear Ireland and I think everyone agrees that it has been a huge success. I want to say thanks to KC Sports for their help down through the years. The new JOMA gear has been a massive hit with our members who proudly wear it every chance they get and the fact that there is a club shop online means a lot less work for club officials while the new club vests are simply outstanding.

We also launched a new club website which seems to be a great success and is complimented by our popular Facebook page and is a great way of keeping everyone informed and up to date with club news. We also intend to keep everyone up to date with a newsletter during the athletic year so keep an eye out for that.

Not everything has run smoothly unfortunately and there were a few incidents during the year that upset me personally. I realise parents are concerned for their children but every decision taken in this club is taken with the best interest of the child at heart, be it a decision to enter a child in competition or training arrangements. I can say that without fear of contradiction

I would also like to commiserate with any club members and their families who suffered any bereavements during the year.

I’d also like to thank Chairperson Mary Finn and Treasurer Jenny McCabe for all their work as well as our coaches who were mentioned above while we couldn’t do without Geraldine Lowe, Mary Finn, Jennifer McGwynne who collect our weekly fees.

I want to thank Adrian Jackson, Noeleen Murray Noone and everyone at Carrick-on-Shannon Community School for all their assistance during the year and without the use of the school’s facilities, we would have nowhere to train.

Personally, I want to thank our older athletes who assisted me so much last year when we had such big numbers training outdoors. I wouldn’t have been able to survive without the help of Elise Bruen, Callum Whelan, Cathal McElgunn, Tom McCabe, Brian Finn and Dara Morahan.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a successful year on the track, indoors or out, the roads and the country as we keep the Carrick AC flag flying high.

John Connolly

Secretary