from munster Express website A record entry competed in the 40th Annual Paddy Flanagan Memorial Road Race from Waterford to Tramore on Saturday last with 354 finishers in the 7.5 miles event, race 3 of the Ger Wyley Sports Summer Series. Latvia’s Sandis Bralitis (pictured) of West Waterford AC had yet another win and he was timed at 38 minutes 45 seconds. Ger Clancy from Wexford was second in 39.31 and Tommy Mc Ilwaine, also from the Model County, was third in 41.02. Pauline Lambe, Tullamore, won the ladies section in 44.08; Madeline Loughnane, Thurles Crokes, was second in 44.47 and Angela McCann, Carrick-on-Suir, was third in 45.57.
First man over 40 was PJ Carroll, Nth Laois,; 045 – Gabriel Murphy, Ind; 050 – Larry Lacey, St Josephs; 055 – Con Kelleher, Waterford; Junior – Declan Power, West Waterford; Team winners – West Waterford (Shane Power, Martin McCarthy, PJ Guinan); Women 035 – Diane Behan, West Waterford; 040 – Brea Cooke, Waterford; 045 – Liz Nolan, do; 050 – Anne Fitzgerald, do; Junior – Edel Roche, West Waterford; Team Winners – Waterford AC (Joan Mahoney, Mary Burke, Suzanne Dullaghan); Mrs Flanagan’s Prize – Henry Power.
The organisers, Waterford AC, wish to thank all involved on the evening, especially the Gardai in the City and Tramore, Order of Malta Waterford, Tramore GAA, Tower Hotel and all the officials and stewards and the local media.
John Treacy Classic
A huge entry is expected for next Sunday’s big race and fun run/walk in Villierstown – the home of legendary athlete John Treacy.
The 10 miles race will include John as one of the competitors and there is also a 5 Miles Walk which is non-competitive with just spot prizes and medals for all participants.
Both events begin at 12.30pm and all competing are asked to be at the venue by 11 o’clock at the latest to avoid congestion around the area, which has many narrow roads.
Entries on day at Villierstown Hall will close at 12 noon sharp. Athletes arriving in the area late may not get through to the village, so be forewarned – give yourself plenty of time even if you are pre-registered. All athletes in the Classic Run must be over 16 years of age and there are lots of prizes in various categories and T-Shirts for all participants also. It promises to be a great event so all road runners should be on the starting line.
Munster Schools Finals
This Saturday, May 16th, the Munster Secondary Schools Track and Field Finals are at Limerick UL grounds and lots of athletes from Waterford schools will be competing, both boys and girls, in Minor, Junior, Intermediate and Senior grades. Full programme of events and timetable is with all participating schools long ago; the first field events are at 9.30am and 11am for track. On Sunday the 17th the AAI Games are in Athlone with several Waterford athletes in action.
County Championships conclude
On Sunday last at the RSC all the clubs in the County were well represented at the final section of the County Track and Field Championships and each got among the medals.
Athletes to have four wins were Zoe Scanlon and Stephen McMahon, West Waterford, while trebles were recorded by Niamh Giles Doran, Sean Whelan (both Ferrybank) and Clare Morrissey KCK.
Doubles were achieved by Neasa Murphy, Niamh Giles Doran, Nicola Power, Eoin McGrath, Thomas Barr, Megan Kiely (all Ferrybank), John Halley, John Behan (KCK) and Lisa Houlihan of West Waterford.
Other athletes to impress included Niamh Ryan. James Greene, April Coady (all Ferrybank), Robert Mulligan (West Waterford), Mark Dowdall (KCK), and Denise O’Connor, (Tramore).
The Donal O’Keeffe Memorial trophy for the Best Long Jump performance of the championships went to Nicola Power of Ferrybank AC.
Quinn beats Euro Youth Olympics mark; Veale sets new junior record
At Cork IT track on May Bank Holiday Monday athletes from West Waterford and Ferrybank AC had numerous victories at the Munster Senior, Junior and under 23 Championships, and both clubs had several silver and bronze medal winners.
In winning the 3000 metres Junior race in a time of 8 minutes 38.42 seconds, Shane Quinn of Ferrybank beat the Qualifying standard for the European Youth Olympics later this year by almost two seconds and Kate Veale, West Waterford, set a new junior record in winning the 3000 metres walk. Entries for many of the events were very disappointing, however.
Houlihan’s pole position
On Sunday last at a meeting in Cork, Thomas Houlihan of West Waterford AC cleared 4.50 metres in the Pole Vault and this is a qualifying mark for the European Youth Olympics later this year.
For all the major events coming up in the summer the qualifying standards are available on the AAI Website. It’s worth mentioning however that the website also states that reaching the standard does not automatically ensure selection.