FARRANFORE MAINE VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB

INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The IUAA Indoor Championships were held on Friday 10th Feb. Emma Prendiville competing in the 1500m Race Walk had to fight off some very stiff competition to win gold in a time of 6:31.70, just one tenth of a second to spare. Rossa Foley competed in the 16Kg Weight for Distance finishing in fifth place with a throw of 7.22m

CROSS COUNTRY

The National Masters and Juvenile "B" Cross Country Championships were held in WIT Waterford on Sunday 12th Feb. In what was a very cold day due to the strong northerly winds. Shauna McCarthy competing in the U13 1500m race ran a very gutsy race.

At the 1000m mark, following the challenging hill climb she was lying in 15th place. Shauna upped the pace coming down from the hill and fought very hard continuously overtaking until she crossed the line in 4th place overall. A great performance from a talented and hard working athlete. In the Women’s Masters 4000m race we had six athletes competing. Maria McCarthy, from the start was in the top ten group. As the race progressed Maria fought hard finishing in fifth place overall and third in her age category. Maria was followed by Caitriona Barry, Marie McKenna, Mary O’Shea, Bernie O’Mahony & Pauline Joseph. All six athletes ran extremely well with the club finishing in 14th place overall. The club is really proud of you all.

AWARDS BANQUET

The Munster Star Awards Banquet took place on Saturday 11th February in the Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Congratulations to our club chairman, Jerome Crowley, who was awarded the Hall Of Fame Patsy O’Connor Officer Award. Jerome Crowley commenced his athletics career in the mid 1950’s when he competed very successfully as a juvenile. He was unbeatable in the 100-yard sprint U/12 and U/14. He attended Tralee C.B.S. and in 1962, with colleagues Ted Fitzgerald, Henry Kenney and Brian O’Neill won the Munster Schools 4 x 100-yard relay. They went on to win bronze medals at the All-Ireland Schools. s.

Jerome was part of the Club team who won the coveted Quill Cup for the first time in 1962. He was and still is very dedicated to his sport and proof of this was his attendance at what was then the Annual Summer School of Athletics. This was the first real attempt at athletics coaching. Like his late father, John, he has given sterling service to Farranfore Maine Valley Athletics Club and to Kerry County Athletics Board.

5K SERIES

The second race of this year’s annual 5K Series organised by Gneeveguilla AC was held in Killarney National Park on Saturday 11th Feb. The new route proved a big success where most runners improved their times from the first race last week. From our club, George McCarthy was first to cross the line with Jerome Foley breaking the 20min mark. Christine Spillane also ran very well and continues to improve. Race 3 of 4 race series will be held next Saturday starting at 11am.

CLUB TRAINING

Cardiorespiratory, Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise Class every Tuesday @ 7pm indoors at Farranfore Sports Hall, Coached by Maria McCarthy, this programme is designed to improve all the components of fitness that constitute physical fitness of an individual. €5 per class

JUVENILE INDOOR TRAINING

Note NEW TIME Thursday’s at 5pm in the Sports Hall, Farranfore. €2 per session. New members welcome. Secondary School /Junior / Senior training every Thursday starts back again at 6:40pm in GAA grounds Farranfore from Jan 12th. This is endurance training for all levels with emphasis on running form and technique. €2 club member, €4 non club member.

ATHLETICS FIXTURES

Sat 18th Feb: Gneeveguilla AC 5K road race series Race 3of4, Killarney @ 11am

Sat 18th & Sun 19th Feb: AAI Senior Indoor C’ships, National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown Sat 25th Feb: Gneeveguilla AC 5K road race series Race 4of4, Killarney @ 11am Sat 25th & Sun 26th Feb.: Munster U/13 to U/19 Indoor C’ships, Nenagh Sat. 4th March - County Awards Night, Dromhall Hotel Killarney Sat. 11th March - Juvenile B Indoor Sports Hall Games, Milltown Community Hall Sun 26th March - County Road Race Championships, Beaufort Sun 2nd April: Munster Road Race Championships, Currow See Kerry & Munster Athletics website for full fixture lists & timetable for events.