Sliver club Munster medals for Tom, Willie and Damien
In a follow-up from the Munster Masters held in Clarecastle last Sunday week we are delighted to say that our O50 club team of Tom Blackburn, Willie O’Donoghue and Damien Holian have rightly been awarded the silver club medals to add to the collection already brought home, after some debate over results announced on the day. Well done boys and on we go onto the final cross country race of the year next Sunday week in Thurles for the county masters.
CLARE’S WISH FOUNDATION 10K
A charity 10k run organised by Michelle McNulty in Hospital, Co Limerick was in the top slot of the diary for six of our club crew last Sunday morning. The worthy charity being supported on the day was Clare’s Wish Foundation. Clare’s Wish Foundation’s mission is to grant one last wish for adults with a terminal medical illness in all counties of Ireland.
Founded in 2013, Clare’s Wish Foundation is the only Irish charity dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses. The charity was founded by Limerick man Kevin Clancy, in memory of his sister Clare who passed away at the age of 24 from Spina Bifida in 1985. Before Clare passed, her wish was to meet Red Hurley, who she was a huge fan of. Her wish came true in 1978 when Red and his brother happily met Clare after a show.
In 2011 Kevin’s father passed away after a five-month courageous battle with pancreatitis. During his last days, Kevin’s father had one last wish which was to return home one last time, but sadly he didn’t make the journey. Kevin’s grief from losing his father and sister changed his outlook on life and after over twenty years of working in the retail trade he felt a deep desire to help others. Inspired by his father and sister’s wishes during their illnesses, Kevin formed Clare’s Foundation to grant the wishes of adults with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
Clare’s Wish Foundation believes that wishes can have a lasting impact on not just the person receiving them, but on their family and friends as well. They can create memories and cherished moments that last a lifetime. As the charity works predominantly with terminally ill adults they are often in a race against time to grant these wishes. They rely solely on the support of individuals, businesses and community groups. Each wish is individual and the costs per wish granted varies. Clare’s Foundation aims to raise €50,000 each year, which goes towards the running costs of the charity, as well as granting wishes.
After some careful decisions for the care of the participants an announced start time delay from 10.00am to 10.30 was given due to the icy conditions underfoot, the race eventually got underway a slight earlier time of 10.22 and a repositioned start line. Running across the finish line in 2nd place was Willie O’Donoghue after playing a 3 minute catch up from the start line due to the earlier than announced start time, followed by Dariusz Gazdowicz in 4th then wife and husband duo Michelle and Michael Carey, Mary Hinchy and Patricia Ryan.
THE BORDER HALF MARATHON
The third running of the Border Half Marathon took place last Sunday morning. Set in the quaint village of Corbally, Co Limerick, the route passed through the quiet country roads, crossing the Decourcy Bridge with views of Ardnacrusha power station in Co Clare. Representing the club in this run in her first half marathon attempt was Marianne Blackwell.
ADULT TRAINING
Adult training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Community Field Galbally from 7pm to 8pm. For contact tracing pre booking is essential through our online booking system for current members. Newbies are always welcome, so should you have an interest in joining us at our training sessions please message us online and we will point your running shoes in the right direction.
JUVENILE TRAINING
Juvenile training has finished up for the festive season and will return on January 17, 2022.