Liscarroll

ATHLETICS CLUB NOTES

COUNTY BOARD AWARDS – Great news was received during the week that four of our 16-yearold and older athletes have been selected to receive Cork Co Board athletic awards in the form of bursaries for their performances and continued interest in athletics during the year 2016.

The four are: Kevin O’Leary, who has made hurdles his number 1 athletic event; Vickie Cusack, who excels at combined events (a competition that includes five events); Sarah O’Keeffe, who also excels at combined events, along with other individual events.

These athletes will be presented with their awards by Mrs Georgina Drumm, president of the Athletic Association of Ireland at a function to be held at the Imperial Hotel, Cork on tomorrow night, Friday, February 10. All four have given great commitment to their training and competitions down though the years and are well deserving of this recognition as aspiring young athletes of the future.

JOHNNY MURPHY TOPS IN NENAGH – Last weekend was a hive of activity at Nenagh Indoor Stadium when boys and girls from age under-nine to 12 competed in their indoor championships. Many children in the ages under-nine and 10 were in competition for the first time but most of them were there to gain experience of the track and competing against other children. Liscarroll AC had a number of athletes involved.

Johnny Murphy under-12 had a great weekend by winning the600m in 1.50.15 and was second in the high jump at 1.30m, he tied with the winner at the same height, but had one more knock down of the bar. He was fourth in the long jump even though having no competition since last August. He will now travel to Athlone to compete in his first all-Ireland Indoor Championships.

Orna O’Connor under-12 had a very good championship. She finished in 18rth place out of 42 jumpers in the long jump. Again with no practice. She was7th in the high jump at 1.20m and reached the final of the 60m sprint.

Stephen Sheehan under-12 did well in the shot put finishing in sixth place with a throw of seven metres.

Lauren Finnegan, ran a great 500m heat as did her twin sister Sarah against the clock but their times were not good enough for a medal.

The following also travelled and competed: Fionn O’Sullivan, John Butler, Ella Butler, Emma Delaunt, Kate Cremin, Olivia Flynn, Orlaith O’Sullivan, Aoibhinn O’Reilly, Isabel Murphy. They were unsuccessful in their events but we thank them and their parents for travelling.

FIXTURES – Sunday, February 12: Special training session for all athletes Under-nine to 13 at Charleville, ie St Joseph’s, Baker Road, Charleville. Saturday and Sunday, February 18/19: all-Ireland senior indoor championships at Abbotstown, Dublin. Saturday and Sunday, February 25/26: Munster junvenile indoor championships (ages 13 to 19) at Nenagh. Sunday, March 5: all-Ireland Masters indoor championships at Athlone.

TRAINING – Tonight Thursday, February 9: Little Athletes in Community Centre, Liscarroll, 6.30-7.30. Conditioning training for older athletes at Liscarroll 7.30-8.30 approx.

Tomorrow, Friday, February 10: Training for all athletes under-nine and older at Charleville 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 12: Special training session u9-13 at Charleville. Tuesdasy, February 14: Training for Under-nine and older at Churchtown 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

JOIN THE CLUB – Anyone interested in competing in athletics, ie running, jumping, throwing etc is invited to visit any of our training sessions as listed above or email liscarrollathletics@yahoo.co.uk. John was on the back of a pony or horse at every opportunity. He became an accomplished jockey riding six winners last season and worked at Horse Trainer Eugene O’Sullivan’s yard in Lombardstown. John was also a trainee at the Irish Racing Academy and centre of Excellence in Kildare and was widely regarded as one of the most talented young jockeys on the Irish Circuit.

John’s passing at such a tender age is tragic and heart-breaking and to John’s parents James and Mary, his brother Barry and sister Maeve the community of Lismire extends its deepest sympathy. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam didis.