The day Mooreabbey Milers made history
This week I’m taking a look back at a race that was run on 18th December 2016. That week’s club headline was ‘Champions in Galbally’. The article stated that Sunday, December 18 brought a fitting end to the cross country season for Mooreabbey Milers. The club hosted the county junior and senior cross country championships in an ideal setting in the village of Galbally. Weather conditions on the day were perfect but heavy rain in the week leading up to the race made for quite mucky underfoot conditions in places on the course.
The article goes on to tell us Mooreabbey Milers AC were out in force to represent the club on home soil. It tells that Aoife Courtney and Ewan Cunningham took silver medals in the 3k junior race and how the ladies team of Mary Louise Ryan, Marie O’Shea, Catherine Hogan (RIP), Mary Pyke and Patricia Ryan narrowly missed out on the bronze team medal, and finally it tells the story of how over forty men toed the line for the 10k senior race which was full of very strong runners. Representing the club in the race were Stuart Moloney who was just back from illness, Tom Blackburn, Kieran Lees, Willie O’Donoghue, Kevin Lenihan, Liam O’Donnell, Damien Holian, Robert Cunningham and John Paul Dudley. The medal presentation took place in the community centre following some well-earned refreshments.
Why was this race so special l hear ye ask. Well the Mooreabbey Milers’ men received an early Christmas present that year, Stuart Moloney, Tom Blackburn, Kieran Lees and Willie O’Donoghue were announced as winners of the senior cross country cup. This was a huge achievement for Stuart, Tom, Kieran and Willie not only because this prestigious title of county senior champions was a 1st for the club’s history books but also remarkable that two members of that winning team were masters of the over 50 category.
RHODODENDRON WALKING FESTIVAL
Rhododendron Walking Festival in partnership with Siúl Eile are organising a virtual walking fundraiser for South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association on Easter Weekend.
The outdoors has never been more popular and the amazing SEMRA volunteers are on call 24/7 and available 365 days a year. Please give any support you can to this wonderful organisation, whose own fundraiser Long Way Round was cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, to show your appreciation for this wonderful service. Donations can be made online, check the GoFundMe page.
TOM TALKS
Back next week with Tom when he will be discussing off road training
CLUB REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Our door is open to all, from the amateur to the experienced. Adult and juvenile training with qualified coaches will resume as soon as regulations allow. For insurance purposes juveniles have to be registered with the club, they can register in the year of their 7th birthday. €20 per juvenile, €30 per adult with family rates available.
Registration forms/online links are available by messaging us on messenger or by email to mooreabbeymilersac@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming both old and new back to the field when the time is right.