St Killian’s AC, The Ferrycarrig “5” and Crossabeg/ Ballymurn Community Centre. The next fundraising event on the calendar for Crossabeg/ Ballymurn Community Centre is the running of the first “Ferrycarrig 5” five mile road race on 13 January 2013 (1.00pm). The race starts at Wexford Youths FC complex and will follow an anti-clockwise route through Newcastle, out and up the hard shoulder of the N11 from Kitestown Cross to Kyle Cross to return back to Wexford Youths FC for the finish.
St Killian’s Athletic club was founded in November 2006 to promote athletics in the Crossabeg, Ballymurn, Oylegate, Glenbrien, Curracloe, Screen, Castlebridge and surrounding areas of County Wexford, just north of Wexford Town. The ethos is to develop young athletes and to provide them with the technical skills to improve their prospects in the athletic field. Club has a 400m grass track, long jump and a full set of technical equipment to cater for hurdles, high jump and all throws. The Club is also now assembling quite a strong senior team.
New members are always welcome whether they are male, female, junior or senior. The Clubs Grass track and is located in the Crossabeg/ Ballymurn Community Centre (the Centre).
Training in the Winter is on the 700m track at the Centre on Tuesday evenings. Juvenile training is on Saturdays at the Old Community Centre (Indoors) during the Winter. Summer training is at the Centre where both the 400m grass track and the 700m walking/ running track is used. The Centre missed out on Lottery funding in the latest round and fund raising is now high on the agenda.
Although called the Ferrycarrig 5, the race doesn’t go down the hill towards the river. The consequence of this is a reasonably flat course leading to the possibility of fast times and hopefully personal bests for the runners.
The beneficiary of all funds raised by the race is the Centre and the development of the facility. The Centre was the brainchild of some forward thinking people in the parish of Crossabeg/ Ballymurn. A Committee was formed and fund raising was set about in earnest. The land itself was kindly donated by the Harvey family. The acquisition of the site was of course a major step, but nonetheless the facilities now at the site are the result of commendable efforts by the Committee. The funds raised were principally donated by the people of the parish and events including an annual field day, a Halloween fun night to name but a few. The event itself revives an old tradition, not upheld since the 1980’s, when an annual 10 mile race was held on 27 December as a fund raiser for the old Community Centre.
In addition to the grass 400m running track and a 700m walking/ running track the facilities now at the Centre include two full sized GAA pitches, one floodlit soccer pitch. The 700m track is also floodlit. The facilities are used by local GAA and, soccer Clubs in addition to St Killian’s AC. Individuals from the parish and beyond are always encouraged to use the centre, particularly the tracks. In these days of increasingly dangerous roads the centre gives an “off road” option for people wanting a walk, jog or run. The next phase of the development of the Centre is the construction of a pavilion on the site with facilities suitable for the Centre.
The achievement of getting the Centre to where it is today is admirable in itself and to maintain it is another accomplishment. Bringing it on to the next phase is the new challenge that now faces the Committee. Fundraising can be difficult at the best of times and in the current environment is particularly taxing.
St Killian’s AC and the Centre Committee are inviting runners or walkers of all abilities to participate in the race. The atmosphere is set to be one of welcome and indeed preparations are underway to make the day enjoyable for all. There is a full list of prizes on offer including veteran’s categories. Entry is now available at www.runireland.com.
Stalwarts of St Killian’s AC will be involved in the lead up and on the day lending their expertise ensuring a successful race. The route is being measured accurately by a qualified Athletics Ireland certified Road Course Measurer. An Athletics Ireland permit has been granted meaning that the race is officially registered for personal bests and qualifying times etc.
On line entry is now available at www.runireland.com. Although this facility is set up entries are also being accepted by entry form which can be obtained by emailing ferrycarrig5@gmail.com. There is also a Facebook page which will be updated with any news or developments on the event over the coming weeks leading up to the race.