Carraig rise to Easter challenge
Carraig na bhFear AC are no strangers to a hectic schedule, but this week saw one of the busiest weeks in our calendar. Our long-awaited Easter Training Camp was preceded by a visit to the Kilmacow Open Sports on Monday which was celebrating its 43rd running. Little surprise that it has been so successful as it is a well-run, competitive but friendly event. A 400m 8-lane grass track circling one of many sports fields, the complex also boasting a running trail, shot area and long jump pit. A breezy day and thankfully fleeting showers not spoiling the enjoyment.
As athletes warmed up for the sprint events Brian Hawkins had already quietly secured our first medal of the day with a 2nd place finish for his 7.74m effort with the 4kg shot in a field of 9 competitors. Brian quickly followed this up with a 2nd place in the U16 100m. Not to be out-done brother Peter picked up bronze medals in the 700m and high jump. The standout performance for the boys was Cathal Whooley coming through in a blanket finish to snatch gold in the U17 100m. Strong performances also in the junior 3,000m from Timmy Hawkins (2nd) and Aidan Maher (3rd).
Our girls were prominent throughout the afternoon challenging for medals in all ages from U15 up. Robyn Maher led the way in the 1,500m walk with an excellent bronze medal. Rebecca Akinkoulie took 3rd place in the U16 100M while Faye O’Riordan took silver in the 700m and bronze in the High Jump. Three bronze medals U17 with Leah Dunne continuing to show good form in the 100m and Aine Sheridan placing in the 700m and shot. Our juniors dominated the track events with Lily O’Riordan and Caoimhe Geogheghan taking 1st and 3rd respectively in the 100m and a clean sweep in the 400m for Leah Dunne (1st), Isobel O’Mara (2nd) and Abbie Akinkoulie (3rd). Caoimhe also taking the silver medal in the long jump.
Last but certainly not least were our ‘veteran’ men who ran the 3,000m race with the junior men. Some good quality athletes from Waterford facing some unexpected competition from our seven club participants, always up for a challenge. It’s not often you can clock a great time and then bring home an actual clock but that is exactly what Willie Walsh accomplished in running a fast 10m:10s on grass to take victory with Tony Dunne coming through to take 3rd place on the podium! (Just as well Willie didn’t opt for the condiment jars, or I would have had to do the well-seasoned athlete joke!) Richard Hawkins, Dave Mullins, Dave O’Riordan, Liam Colbert and John Maher completed the band of dads.
In summary, a fine haul of medals and Carraig Na bhFear AC finished as 3rd juvenile club which is excellent given that we had mainly older kids travelling. There were many other fine performances particularly with some of our younger competitors, but such was the level of competition that medals were hard won but it is always good to compete against different clubs who we may not routinely encounter.
Tuesday and Wednesday were based in the Watershed complex in Kilkenny for our training camp, a super facility with a high-quality tartan track. As the sessions progressed the weather progressively improved and resulted in an unexpected warm weather camp of sorts! Some solid group training sessions were supplemented with the rare opportunity of plenty of time to work on drills and give athletes the opportunity to try hurdles and field events with plenty of potential on show. Our distance runners were in their element with easy runs along the canal walk and loops of the scenic grounds of Kilkenny Castle. Each day completed with a welcome relax in the hotel leisure centre.
In summary, a big thank you to the coaches for a well-planned event which exceeded expectations, to the parents for providing the opportunity for the athletes to travel and the athletes for exemplary behaviour as always while representing the club.
A special thank you to Michelle Whooley and Garry Geogheghan who put so much time in to ensuring we have the photos to remember a fantastic and memorable few days, a lot of work and stealth went in to capturing natural shots in many locations over the three days.
BOSTON MARATHON
Congratulations to Helen Roche who completed the Boston Marathon in a time of 3:47:12 to chalk up another perfectly paced Marathon, heartbreak Hill doing little to spoil near even splits. Well done Helen!
BALLINTOTIS 4 MILE
The evening races are starting to hit full swing and we had 2 athletes among the 812 finishers in this popular race. Siobhan Walsh had a fine run to finish 8th out of 95 finishers in her category, very close to several other athletes just ahead in this competitive group topped by Olympian lizzie Lee! Caroline O’Donovan finishing in 35:19 well up the field of runners, well done both!
GREAT RAILWAY RUN 25K
Richard Hawkins and Adam Farrell completed this charity race which started in Centre Park Road and finished in Carrigaline, taking in much of the old Cork to Crosshaven rail route. Perfect conditions for running saw the lads completing the course in 1:55:49 and 1:57:05 respectively. A mention also for Christy Murphy (fatherin-law of Adam) who cycled the route and gave great encouragement.
PARK RUN
Rian O’Luasa continued his streak of appearances with a 22:56 finish, part of a busy few days of training and races for Rian, well done!
LOOK AHEAD
The East Cork 5-mile Road Race returns to its traditional April slot on Thursday 28th with Sunday, 1st May signalling the start of the Juvenile County Championships which will take place throughout the month of May.