Another running-filled weekend for club athletes
NATIONAL 5K
The national 5k road event was held in Dublin Phoenix Park last Sunday morning in glorious sunshine. National championship athletes left the start line on Chesterfield Avenue at 9.30am. A big field of 750+ senior and master athletes took part in the 5k event. Representing club and county one month on from his 6th place placing at the national 10k discipline was Willie O’Donoghue. A similar faith played out and it was to be a 6th place finish for Willie again but more impressively for our master athlete he took on the course to finish in a road PB of 17.50.
THE COUNTY JUVENILE OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
The county outdoor track and field got underway last Saturday morning at 10.30am for a two day spectacular.
Day 1 saw U9s to U12s take to the track and field while day 2 was dedicated to the U13s to U19s. Brothers Tim and Nick Morrissey ran and jumped throughout this tournament. Tim went in the U9 60m and U9 long jump while Nick had a go with same events in the U10 discipline. Maeve Kenny competed in the U11 60m and 600m while Paul Purcell ran in the U13 600m. Doireann Moloney ran in the U10 60m finishing 3rd in the heats and 6th in the final while also taking on the 300m and the long jump, while older sister Neasa Moloney ran the U12 600m and in the U13 800m.
GRADED MEETS
Ben Coughlan was back at the graded meets last Wednesday night in Morton stadium Dublin. This time his challenge was the 5k event. Ben’s high performance on the night achieved him a
3rd place position in a time of 15.32.
THE MICHAEL ‘CURLEY’ CUNNINGHAM 4 MILE
Honouring the legend that Curley was, brought about the task that his club comrades from Mooreabbey Milers did with pride last Friday night in Galbally. Club members out running the course was Kieran Lees finishing 4th overall, Kevin Lenihan 6th, Damien Holian 9th, Tom Blackburn, Ger Hanley, James Fletcher, Brendan Houlihan, Anthony Ryan, Noelle O’Brien, Deirdre Bailey, Michael Carey, Mary Hinchy, Ann Cummins, Pauline Chapman, Michelle Carey, Davena Flynn, Marianne Blackwell, Pádraigín Riggs, Mary Magner and Áine Morrissey.
RD on the glorious evening was Stuart Moloney and his background team of volunteers Marie O’Shea, Mary O’Connell, Lynda Hynes, Davena Flynn, Padraig Wallace, James Kissane, Mairead Hynes, Ger and Jane Griffin, Larry O’Grady, Robert Cunningham, Patricia Ryan, Liam O’Donnell, Liam Lewis, Willie O’Donoghue, Patricia Blackburn, John Hayes, Mary Louise Ryan and Erin Chapman made sure the evening ran smoothly. Winner of the Michael Curley Cunningham Perpetual Cup was Declan Moore of Bilboa AC and 1st lady home was Dymphna Ryan of near neighbouring club Dundrum AC.
Curley will remain a hero to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. A gentleman to the core and an elite athlete who was always willing to offer words of support and encouragement to others. An inspiration to so many. In January 2020 Curley was inducted to the club’s hall of fame and the club were happy to present the plaque to Curley’s family on the night.
On your 5th anniversary Curley........
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go
Into the dance of the stars and the planets We let you go
Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker
We let you go
We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy
Go safely, go dancing, go running home.
THE INAUGURAL MICHAL REJMER 10 MILE
The inaugural Michal Rejmer Memorial 10 mile road race was hosted by Dooneen AC last Sunday morning. The event was to remember Michal Rejmer who died tragically in 2017 his remarkable achievements, his love for running and his drive to help others. Starting and finishing at Limerick Racecourse in Greenmount Park, Patrickswell, the race took participants towards Raheen, through the scenic countryside of Patrickswell and Crecora over a fast 10-mile loop. Club man Perry Power was out supporting this one.
CLUB EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2022
The Mooreabbey 10 Mile (10th July). The Mile Dash (31st December). World Masters Mountain Race Clonmel 2022. Registration is now open online
All eyes and ears look and listen up because I think you won’t want to miss or pass up an opportunity of a life time to represent your country in an amazing event to be held in our back yard per say. As many of you will know by now Ireland were successful in the bid to host the World Masters Mountain Race this coming September. There will be a great opportunity for all to take the course on a test drive on June 19th to be known as the ‘Great Irish Run’ before committing and signing up for the big event itself on September 3rd. To participate in the event there are no qualifications and the only restriction lies is that you must be over the age of 35 and under 80 be familiar with mountain running, competitive over 10k and very fit.
So if you’re willing to back yourself we are ready to back you and we would only love to see a flood of green jerseys on the trail. Event details can be found on the website wmmrch2022.ie.
ADULT TRAINING
Adult training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the community field Galbally from 7pm to 8pm. Newbies are always welcome, so should you have an interest in joining us at our training sessions please message us via our social media page Mooreabbey Milers AC on social media and we will point your running shoes in the right direction.