North East Runners are 20 years old
Siobhan Jordan, Lower Point Road and Cliodhna Daly, Haggardstown at the North East Runners’ Christmas Party in The Imperial Hotel. ON Friday night I headed for the Imperial Hotel where the North East Runners who were celebrating their 20th year in existence with a Christmas Party and a huge crowd had turned out specially for the occasion.
I was only in the door when I met up with a pair of their senior members Richard Duffy from Glenwood and Colm Fergus from Belfry Gardens who told me it was going to be a great night and they were really looking forward to it.
Next, I headed over to a table where I got a word with Ursula Noone from Jenkinstown, Amanda Branagan from Lios Meade and Sabrina Mulholland from Greenacres who all told me the training is going very well and they don’t go to races to take part, they go to win.
Also in their company were Cathy Byrne from Meadow Grove, Mary McArdle from Faughart and Anita Bolton from Park Villas who were up for making the best of the night and said there wouldn’t be many miles done on Saturday!
I then got a word with Rachel Dixon from Muirhevnamor and Sheila Tobin from Knockbridge who were looking forward to the night but wanted to know what was keeping Catriona Faulkner from Muirhevnamor so long at the bar?
Making my way through the crowds I then got taking to Paula Kelly from O’Hanlon Park Yousef Alluhayoan from Saudi Arabia and John Tumilty from Blackrock and Yousef told me he only recently joined the club and think its really good and has a great team spirit.
Also just joined the club is Mark O’Connor form Killanny who trains on a Tuesday night and said he really likes the peer support in races.
After this I headed over for a word with Siobhan Jordan from Lower Point Road and Cliodhna Daly from Haggardstown who have been with the club for around 6/7 years and love it and were looking forward to a good laugh on the night.
Not too far away I met up with Rosemary Gibson originally from Leicester but now from Point Road who only recently took up running and with the help of Geraldine Finnegan won a Scottish National Heptathlon title since she took up hurdling, long and high jump and just loves it. She was having a laugh with Eileen Jordan from Point Road when I met the ladies.
I then headed over for a quick word with Karen Murphy from Channonrock who is really enjoying being in the club and was ready for a nice sensible night, eh I didn’t think so!
Next, I got talking to Rory Mulholland and Niall Fergus both from Mulholland Avenue who were out for a mad night, wouldn’t be training till Sunday and would be hiding from Jim Gonnelly when they did get back out on the road.
After this I caught up with Niall’s wife Niamh who said she was only there for moral support and was chatting to Paul Hyland from Haggardstown who has been with the club for a few years now but this was his first night out with them and he was really looking forward to it.
Not too long later I got a word with Michael Parks from Castle Road who has been with the club for around 4 years and assured me it was going to be a great night with all his running mates. Anita Bolton, Park Villas and Mary McArdle, Faughart. Paula Kelly, O’Hanlon Park and Karen Murphy, Channonrock.
I then headed for a table where I caught up with Jane Behan from Louth Village who said she was only providing moral support to her friends Cathriona Faulkner who had eventually made her way back from the bar, Patricia Flynn from Lower Point Road and Sue McClean Knockbridge who as-
sured me it always a quiet night when Patricia is out with them.
Finally, before I departed, I met up with one of the club’s founder members Michael Jordan from Point Road who said they came together back in ’98 and have been running ever since and assured me their 20th anniversary will be a lovely night.