Dungarven
In Dungarvan where conditions were perfect for cross country running Pat Mc Cartan came home in 5th spot. This was the same position as last year but coach, Joe Chawke, was very pleased with his fine run and hopes for a good year ahead for this talented athlete. Ger Guinea also had a good run and in a competitive field was in the top fifty ahead of Brian Jenkins and Gary Madden. This was a new experience for Gary and he fared well over the dry turf.

Results: 1. Brian Farrell, Slí Chualainn AC;2. Killian O Leary, Raheeny Shamrocks; 3.Pat Brennan, Sligo AC,; 4. Rory Chesser, Ennis Track.

Simon Charity
Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill ran her first 10k in the Simon Charity race in Dublin last Saturday. She was eight woman. Comhghairdeas léi.

Vets
Carmel Mac Domhnaill returned with a bronze medal from Tralee on Sunday last in the Munster Veteran Cross Country Championships. Comhghairdeas léi. The conditions were pretty grim with wind and rain but growing up on the ‘wind-swept hills of Tulla’ prepared her for the challenge. Clare were second county and she also brought home a silver medal. A pity her native parish, Tulla, were out of luck in the Munster Hurling Club Final.

Intercounties
Garry Murray, Belfast, was the men’s winner of the Intercounties Cross Country at the Curragh last Sunday. Unfortunately the Limeick team was depleted by the absence of Limeick AC runners.

West Limerick’s Pat Mc Cartan came home in 43rd place and Ger Guinea was also present representing club and county. Both athletes will be disappointed with their performances but they should not let it deflate their hopes of finding form. Very often a runner discovers that extra surge when the spring races come round.

Other familiar names crossing the line were Jason Fahy, 15th, Colm Turner, 23rd.

Indoor Silvers
At the Indoor Championships in Nenagh Garry Madden was 2nd in th 60m, long jump and shot while Niall Collins also took silver in the long jump and 60m. International cyclist and new member of West Limerick AC, Adrienne Mc Carty, went one better than the boys in securing gold in her 60m dash. Comhghairdeas leo

County Cross Country in Demesne
The club can be justly proud of a fine day’s work in its organising of last Sunday’s Senior and Junior County Cross Country Championships. The Demesne looked great in the autumn colours and the 1800m circuit was ideal for runners and spectators. Before dealing with the results it should be noted that our club had by far the biggest numbers taking part with 17 men and 4 women. Participation, with its social and health aspects, must be top of the list for any club.

Mc Cartan – Nic Dhomhnaill Bronze
In the senior men’s event the team that Limerick AC fielded was probably the strongest ever and we had to settle for the silver medals. Pat Mc Cartan put up a great battle up front and secured bronze in the individual prizes. Our other scorers were : 7th, Brian Jenkins; 8th Ger Guinea; 10th Dermot Kearns; 12th Niall Collins; 14th Finbarr Murphy.

Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill was our standard bearer in the women’s event running up through the field to finish third in her first ever cross country race. Comhghairdeas léi.

Verena Tarpey, Janet Costello and Carmel Mac Domhnaill made up the women’s team.

Becky Hand was a clear winner in the junior women’s race while there was a good tussle between the Emerald runners in the Junior men’s event.

Dermot Kearns and Finbarr Murphy took gold and silver in the O/35 category. Seamus Cawley was the winner in the O/45 category. Mike Mac Domhnaill took silver in the O/50s and Dick Lenihan won the O/55 section.

A very special thanks to all of the volunteers who marked out an excellent course. The event was ran in a most professional manner. Special thanks also for the tea and sandwiches after the race.

Pictures are available soon our Gallery

Dublin City Marathon 2007
Well done to all from West Limerick who comleted the Dublin Marathon on Monday last. Chief accolades go to Rathkeale man, Séamus Cawley, who completed his 28th consequetive Dublin marathon in 3.05. What a runner!

On an historical note, the venue for our recent meeting in Rathkeale was where Séamus spent his early formative years. He soon learned to run, he recalls, when the River Deel overflowed its banks and the water came up the street towards him.
B'shin iad na laethanta!

Here are some provisional results, could you email me at with member names that I can add to this list? Ta

Pictures are available soon our Gallery

Intermediate Champions!
West Limerick AC continued its fine run of success in capturing the County Intermediate Cross Country title on Sunday last in Plassey. Our first man in, and first overall, was Brian Jenkins. Sam Hand was third overall. Our other scorers were Brian Hartnett and Mike Lane. Dave Hand was also involved but what a pity that the veteran category was not included. This had been the understanding and Séamus Cawley was present as well as Tom Blackburn, Bilboa, to contest this race. We presume it will now form part of the County Senior race in the Demesne in three weeks time, November 4th
Pictures are availble in our Gallery

Well done to all that took part in the annual Cork-to-Cobh 15mile race. The race clashed with the Novice C-C but we had a quality squad nonetheless!
Full Results here

Place	Time	Name	Cat
31	1:38:22	Finbarr Murphy	M
54	1:40:58	Seamus Cawley	M45
144	1:51:02	David Rehilly	M
231	1:57:25	Richard Linehan	M50
269	2:00:26	Derek Macasey	M
308	2:03:31	Alan Bunsworth	M60

County Novice
The new members were to the fore last Sunday in Bilboa and the club took the men's and women's titles. Brian Jenkins led in the West Limerick team of Mike Lane, Dave Hand and Sam Hand. Comhghairdeas leo.

Women A-plenty
Over the decades fielding a full women's team has always been problematic. And when it came to cross country running the problem was even greater. Well done then to the girls who represented the club so well on Sunday last. We actually had the numbers for two teams! They finished: Adrienne Mc Carthy, Juliette Frost, Verena Tarpey, Breda O Sullivan, Janet Costello, Catherine Hand.

County Intermediate
Next up in the cross country schedule is the County Intermediate and last week's Weekly Observer had a list of most of those eligible. Sharpen the spikes!
Photo's now available!

Broadford Race
The festival committee in Broadford are again hosting a short road race as part of Féile an Fhómhair. The race starts at 1.00 p.m. Bígí ann gan teip.

Photos 

Well done to Ger Guina for another strong run in Clare.

Full Results 

Mizuno Cork Half Marathon 2007
We relinquished our Half-Marathon title on Sunday last. Ger Guinea, 78 minutes, was first home for the club followed by Dermot Kearns, Tom Fitzgerald and Derek Mackessy. We were not as prepared as other years for this one and maybe next year the appetite will be back. Well done to all who took part.

Liscarroll Athletic Club Road Race
Ger Guinea won the Tom Fitzpatrick Memorial 8km in Liscarroll. This open road race was held on Saturday 25th August 2007. Ger had an excellent time of 27:47 to steal victory.

Longford Marathon and Half Marathon 2007
Finbarr Murphy ran 3:32 for the full marathon and Christy Power ran 94minutes in the half marathon. Any one else there?

Nationals
Dermot Kearns, West Limerick AC, won the National O/35 800m in a time of 2.04. This individual gold medal is richly deserved by this committed club member. Maith thú.

Wedding Bells
'Comhghairdeas' to Joe O' Connor, Rathkeale, and Tina Goodall, Tralee, who were married recently. Joe is a fine young athlete and we wish them both a long happy life together.

Frank Duffy 10
Ger Guinea ran 58.44 in the Frank Duffy 10 Mile Race in Dublin on Sunday last. Also making a comeback to athletics was Derek Mackessy who finished in 69 minutes. Liam Healy also made the journey and is gradually returning to form

Before we give any account of the Clare race West Limerick Athletic Club extends all good wishes to Ger Mullane, Bilboa, who fell ill during the race.
The 4 Mile Road Race is held in memory of a fine athlete, Dermot Power, whose brother, Séamus is the highly renowned international runner. And it was Séamus who took the laurels breaking the 20 minute barrier in 19.54. Brian Maher, Kilkenny City Harriers, 20.07, was close all the way and at the 3 mile mark looked like he could upset the predictions. Power, however, responded and came home first in his home town. Jason Fahy, Olympic AC, was third in 20.48.

Fine Debut
What began with a bet with her mother that she would complete the race resulted in a fine time of 28.53 for Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill's first ever race. The Kildysart hills were nothing to the South American mountains which she climbed last year and this gave her the advantage over her rival! Her mother, Carmel, is looking for a revenge race. Watch this space.
Orla O Mahony, Raheny, was the overall winner in a time of 23.20 and she left most of the men in her wake. Veronica Colleran, Ennis Track, was second in 24.56 and Tracy Guilfoyle, Kilnaboy, was next in 25.20. Aogán Mac Domhnaill and Mike Mac Domhnaill also ran but their training will need to be increased if they are to make any mark in the cross-country season.

Coillte 10K Road Race Dundrum, 11TH July 2007

Dermot Kearns took top honours for West Limerick in a great time. Click here for the full results.

The Limerick County Championship, Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick.

Bilbao '10K' , Results

Dermot Kearns came 3rd in the Bilbao '10K' in a time of 33:38 behind Neil Cusack and Martin Bradshaw.

Full race results here.

Munster Track & Field
We had good performances in Cork IT last Sunday and Ger Guinea’s third spot in the 5000m has to top the list. Ger was left on his own for much of the race having to make the pace and his time of 16.12 will now be his target during the summer. Dermot Kearns was 6th in the 1500m in a time of 4.12 behind Limerick’s Jason Fahy, 4.01.

Pat Mc Cartan, recovering from injury, was happy with 1.58 and 6th placing in the 800m. Rathkeale man, Joe O’Connor, was the winner of the steeplechase.

Manchester
Pat Mc Cartan competed at a track meet in Manchester recently posting 3.57 in the 1500m. Hopefully he will be able to beat the recent foot injury and continue his progress in the middle distance events.

Limerick County Senior Track & Field 2007, Results

800Meters

1500Meters

5000Meters

The Limerick County Championship, Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick.

The fine 4 mile circuit in Dromcollogher was used for this year's County Championships and West Limerick athletes were out in force. International runner, Tomás Carey, Limerick AC, was the overall winner in 20.02 and he led it from gun to tape. He is clearly on course for a big result in the Marathon later this year which he has set as his main goal. Fighting a mighty battle for second spot was our own Dermot Kearns, West Limerick AC, 20.49, and he broke the challenge of Eamonn Horgan, Bilboa, 21.25 over the tough hilly third mile section. Horgan has emerged as a strong force in Munster athletics and Kearns is rising to the challenge. He looks better with every race.
Limerick AC won the senior title with West Limerick taking the silver and also winning the Novice Cup.

First and foremost it must be said: We had a team! Over the years it has been very hard to keep female athletes in the club and this is true across the county. The race was run over two miles but the two miles in Dromcollogher include the famous long uphill section and they all felt the pinch early on! Ailbhe Healy, 12.47, was first in and then came: Caitríona, Mc Mahon, 13.00; Becki Hand, 14.10; Carmel Mac Domhnaill, 15.02; Alison Ledger, 16.39; Catherine Hand, 17.55. Maith sibh, Mná Iarthar Luimní!

New Members
Many of the established figures in the club are still learning the names of the new crop who are flying the flag. Joe Chawke is chiefly responsible for this influx of fresh blood but Liam Healy is also on the constant lookout for members. On Saturday night he presented the teacher/coach, Breda O 'Sullivan, with a West Limerick vest. Breda had a strong influence on the talented Ger Guinea and Pat Mc Cartan when they attended SMI in Newcastle West. The club wishes to welcome Breda, Tournafulla, into the club. Breda would have been competing on Saturday night but for the fact that her father, Mick, a famous athlete in his day, was ill. He has always come to support us over the years and we wish him a speedy recovery. As we say in Irish: Nára fada go mbeidh sé ar a sheanléim arís. Overall Results
West Limerick man, Mark Dempsey, 21.29 ran a terrific race to come in foutrth since he had completed 100k on the bike that morning in his triathlon training. Another man on the up. Among the finishers were: Keith Ryan,LAC, 21.58; Tom Blackburn, BAC, 22.01; Martin Duddy,LAC; Mike Mc Auliffe,WLAC; Ger Mullane, BAC; Mike Lane; Sam Hand; Finbar Murphy; Gary Madden; John O Shea; Jason Brouder(a young athlete constantly improving); James Burke; Joe Ahern; Willie Brosnan; Liam Healy; Dave Hand; Dick Lenihan.

Sympathy
Many of us heard belatedly of the death of Finbarr Murphy's mother and were not present for the funeral. We offer our sympathy to Finbarr and to all his family at this sad time for them. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam. Saturday 5th May: County T&F UL 1.00 p.m. Sunday 13th May: Clonlara 5 Mile Road Race. 1.30 p.m. Walk and 2.00 p.m. Race.

Local Help
While West Limerick AC helped organise the County Races on Saturday last it was wonderful to receive strong local support. In particular we acknowledge the course marking done by Coireall Mac Curtáin and the stewarding of Martin Stack, a top runner in his day. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Athletic Association of Ireland Woodie's 10k Road Race Championship of Ireland Navan 20th April 2007

Full results here

The Meath Athletic Accociation PRO has kindly provided a link with photo's.

2007 North Pole Marathon

AN Irishman has won the world's coolest marathon in record time. At the North Pole last weekend, Thomas Maguire, from Fermanagh, zipped past more than 40 competitors from 22 nations in sub-zero temperatures to win the 26.2-mile race on Saturday in just over three and a half hours. The sunshine may have been brilliant, but the temperature was -25C. The race kicked off at 2.45am but the continuous daylight ensured that no-one was tripping over his shoelaces. Participants had flown from Spitsbergen in Norway to a drifting Russian ice base in the Arctic Ocean to take part in the world's most northern marathon. Thomas Maguire took the lead from the outset and powered his way through spectacular ice hillocks and vast expanses of ice floes. He was closely tracked by Italian adventure racer Francesco Galanzino, who narrowed Maguire's lead to three minutes, with a few miles remaining. But Maguire, who did not eat or drink during the race, upped his tempo and won convincingly - achieving a North Pole marathon record of 3:36:10. Galanzino took second place in 3:43:03. Juan Antonio Alegre of Spain came in third in 3:56:33. Limerick-based lecturer and West Limerick AC member Finbarr Murphy was seventh. Peter Bell and Paul Gray were fifth and twenty-first respectively. The marathon is organised by international athlete Richard Donovan.

See www.npmarathon.com for more details. Click on the Gallery to see pictures

Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare 37th Annual Michael Egan Memorial 4 Mile Fun Walk and Road Race at Quilty Co Clare 1st April 2007

Click here for full results (pdf).

2007 Munster Road Championships

Click here for full results (pdf).

Adare 10K - 2007

Click here for full results (pdf).