Kate, George best novices
Striders hosts for road race
UNITED STRIDERS hosted the Mr Oil Wexford Novice road race championships in Camross on Friday.
With gorgeous weather conditions and a well-chosen fast course, the 90 or so athletes who turned out were raring to go!
The women’s 3k race set off first. D.M.P’s Kate Wilson wasted little time in taking control.
She went on to win in a very fast time of 11.33m, followed by Mary Gorham (Slaney Olympic) in second and Emer Quintero (Croghan) in the bronze medal position.
Slaney Olympic narrowly took the team title from United Striders, with S.B.R. in third.
The men’s 6k followed on immediately. The peloton led the race out through the early stages. As the tempo increased the cream rose to the top.
George Delaney of United Striders, one of those to break, went on to win and to lead his team to victory. Clubmate Martin Majeski came home in second and William Keogh of Croghan placed third.
As in the women’s race, Striders had just six points to spare on the runners-up, in this case S.B.R. Slaney Olympic took the bronze.
Afterwards, the host club provided a great spread of tea, sandwiches and cake in the local hall. All agreed that this was an example in how an event should be organised, from the stewarding on the course to the post-race hospitality. Take a bow Striders!
The Leinster Masters and Novice road championships took place last Bank Holiday Monday in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. It was a glorious day for racing.
Gowran A.C. hosted the event with great organisation. The traditional Bank Holiday Monday event brought clubs from all over the province in search of individual, club and county medals.
The course was made up of 1,500m laps, which provided spectators with plenty of action to enjoy in the summer sunshine. The distance for women was 3,000m while the men ran 6,000m.
Alan O’Connor (U.S.A.C.) was second in M40 with Myles Gibbons (S.B.R.) just behind in third, and brother and clubmate Paul came fourth. Seán Murphy (U.S.A.C.) was sixth.
In M45, John McGrath (U.S.A.C.) was second, and clubmate Brendan Lyng was third. Other M45 placings: David Leonard (S.B.R.) was seventh, George Delaney (U.S.A.C.) was eighth, and Brian O’Shaughnessy (St. Killian’s) was ninth.
In M50, David Kehoe (Slaney Olympic) placed fourth and Pat O’Callaghan (U.S.A.C.) placed eighth. Ger Moloney (St. Paul’s) took the win in M50.
Other placings: In M35 Joe Lillis (U.S.A.C.) was tenth, Paul Doran (U.S.A.C.) 14th, and Denis Moynihan (S.B.R.) 15th.
United Striders were second overall club (35+) and S.B.R. were fifth. The quartet of Alan O’Connor, Myles Gibbons, John McGrath and Brendan Lyng placed third of the county teams, while David Kehoe, Ger Moloney and Pat O’Callaghan won a county silver in M50.
In Novice men, John Stone (D.M.P.) was eleventh with clubmates John Murphy 14th and Brendan Radford 21st.
Christine Stone (D.M.P.) was our sole performer in the Masters women. She placed eighth in M35.
A Level 1 coaching course takes place at Waterford R.S.C. on May 25, 26 and June 1, 2.
Note the times: May 25 and June 1, 6-9 p.m.; May 26 and June 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price: €100.
On June 9 there is an endurance running coaching course at Aspect Hotel, Kilkenny. See further details at athleticsireland.ie.
Michael Bowler had a brilliant weekend at the British University championships, with a bronze medal in the pole vault and a 20 cm. P.B.
Pádraig Hore of Taghmon was in action at the Leevale Sports in Cork. He came second in the Senior discus with a throw of 40.44m and second in shot putt with 12.33m.
On Monday, May 28 (7 p.m.), the A.A.I. National Children’s Cfficer, Kieron Stout, is giving a briefing on the updates to the ‘Children First’ policy at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy.
‘Children First’ is the national policy guidance for all matters concerning the welfare and protection of children. In the course of his presentation, Kieron will look at risk assessment and safety statements.
He will also focus on looking after special needs children in our clubs.
This important talk is open to all child officers and coaches (maximum of four reps. per club).
On Sunday next (May 20), the Enniscorthy Sports Hub hosts the Leinster Juvenile relays.
This is a great opportunity for the county to show off the facilities at the Hub and, hopefully, to attract more meets in the future.
All clubs are encouraged to support the event both in terms of providing officials and in coming to enjoy a great day’s athletics.
Fixtures: May 16, Leinster Schools track and field (day one), Santry; May 18 (7 p.m.), Mr Oil Wexford Senior road race championships, Wexford town, hosted by Wexford Marathon Club; May 19, Leinster Schools track and field (day two), Santry; May 19 (10 a.m.), Leinster combined events, The Watershed, Kilkenny; May 20 (10 a.m.), Leinster Under-9 to Under-19 inter-club track relays, Enniscorthy.