None – Dunboyne AC 4 Mile Road Race
– Athletics Northern Ireland Annual General Meeting
– Easter Junior Camp in Portugal The 39th running of the Dunboyne AC 4 Mile Road Race will take place on Sunday 30th March 2008. This is a deviation from previous years, as the race is not on Easter Sunday, but on the following weekend.
The race takes place over the normal 4 mile course around Dunboyne Village. The senior race starts at 3:00pm, and a juvenile race program starts at 2:00pm. Entrants can register on race day at Dunboyne Community Centre from 12:30pm onwards for an entry fee of €15, or registrations can be completed on-line prior to the race for a fee of €12 at www.dunboyneac.com. Entry forms can also be downloaded from this site and sent with the entry fee of €12 to the Race Director; Liam Murtagh, 167 Beechdale, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. – Phone +353 (0)1 825 1614. A portion of this years registration fee will be donated to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and a sponsorship card can be requested for those who are interested in raising additional sponsorship for this worthy cause. Last years Men’s race was won by Paul Fleming of Rathfarnam, and last years Ladies race was again won by Pauline Curley from Tullamore, who also won the 2007 & 2006 Ladies race. Light refreshments & Prize giving ceremony takes place in Dunboyne Community Centre immediately after the race.
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Athletics Northern Ireland Annual General Meeting
New President Voted at Annual General Meeting
The Athletics Northern Ireland Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 19th March at 7pm 7:30pm in the Les Jones Room at the Mary Peters Track.
This meeting saw the election of a new President Mr. Brian Downing following the end of term for current president Adrienne Smyth. Adrienne thanked everyone for her support over the last two years. Brian has been involved in athletics for thirty years and got involved in the sport as a result of his daughter being involved as an athlete. Brian was the secretary of the Track and Field Committee for over 10 years and Chairman in 2007 and was recently elected as a Life Member of Athletics Northern Ireland.
Outgoing president Adrienne Smyth worked very closely with AAI President Michael Heery over the last two years, meeting at numerous events around the country. Athletics Ireland made a special president to Adrienne at the Magherafelt Indoors, presenting her with a beautiful piece of Waterford Crystal.
A motion was passed at the AGM to officially change the name of the company to Athletics Northern Ireland.
The following people make up the committees for the forthcoming year:
Track and Field
Mr. Joy Alexander
Mr. John Glover
Mr. Robin Mack
Mr. John Saulters
Ms. Wendy Davis
Mr. Barry Scarth
Cross Country & Road Running
Mr. E Bell
Mr. T Wall
Mr. J McLaughlin
Mr. L Cochrane
Mr. N McMonagle
Mrs K. Montgomary
Mr. R Rodgers
Mr. P. O’Driscoll
Mr. J. Quinn
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Easter Junior Camp in Portugal
43 of Ireland’s best junior and youth athletes experienced an unforgettable week at training camp in Alfa Mar, Portugal. The goal of the camp was to educate talented junior athletes on the steps that are needed to progress to senior international level. The athletes experienced a full international training camp sharing a track with the Russian and Latvian senior athletics teams.
The athletes benefiting enormously from an experienced coaching staff who had a combined 10 appearances at Olympic Games including current international Olive Loughnane.
The work continued off the track with inspirational talks and workshops covering areas such as,
The inches for success
Overcoming obstacles, and
Transition to college.
Kalyn Sheehan said “The week in Alfa Mar with all the athletes and staff provided me with the motivation and inspiration to approach the season ahead”.
The facilities at Alfa Mar were fully availed of including the track, cross country course, gym and pool. Athletes who came to the camp with injuries were brought through intensive rehabilitation programmes to aid their recovery. Grainne Moggan said, “I learnt a huge amount about how to work hard in the gym and the pool, the medical team were superb in helping with my rehab programme.”
There was a complete medical, physio and dietician support team for the athletes. The team provided workshops on supplements, core exercise, flexibility, blood screenings and even a cookery class! All athletes were screened by both medical and physio staff to ensure they were physically in shape.
Camp Manager Gareth Devlin said, “These athletes are on the first rung of the high performance ladder, this week has showed the athletes where the next step is and how to get there.”
Craig Murphy said, “The camp really helped me in my last minute preparations for the World Cross Country Championship in Edinburgh.”
Director of Coaching Gary Ryan who is responsible for the junior high performance athletes said, “We have an exceptional group of talented young athletes who applied themselves in a most dedicated and professional manner for the week. Each of these athletes has the potential to progress to the highest international standard and this is as significant milestone on that journey.”
