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ST. FINBARR’S A.C. PRESENTS
AN ILLUSTRATED SEMINAR ON
MIDDLE DISTANCE AND TRACK RUNNING
BY FERGUS O’DONOVAN (CLUB COACH)
OLD PAVILION,
UCC MARDYKE SPORTSGROUND ON
AT 8.00PM ON MONDAY JUNE 22ND 2009
ALL ARE WELCOME
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JOHN BUCKLEY SPORTS
CORK HALF MARATHON 2009
Promoted by St. Finbarr’s A.C.
Sunday September 13th 2009 at 11.00
a.m. Blarney, Co. Cork
Enter
online by clicking on this link
To download an Entry Form click here
CORK CITY MARATHON 2009
Congratulations
to all St. Finbarr’ A.C. athletes who took
part in the 2009 marathon in what were extremely demanding
conditions. Sincere thanks to
all our friends and supporters who turned out and cheered, cycled the
route, and provided much
needed sustenance along the way. A team effort all round!!
FINE RUN BY MICHAEL
O’CRUALAOI IN
BOSTON 2009
Well
done to Michael on his fine run in Boston. Michael is a regular at
Fergus O’Donovan’s track sessions on Wednesday evenings and clearly all
his hard work during the season has paid off with a fine run of 3hrs 58
minutes.
TOP 10 FINISH FOR MARY SWEENEY IN BELFAST MARATHON
St. Finbarr’s Mary Sweeney took a top ten place overall
in the recent Belfast Marathon.
Mary’s time of 3hrs 12 minutes gave her overall honours in the
W45 and a superb 9th overall in the women’s race. Mary’s training partner and friend
Mary Murphy ran a fantastic time of 3hrs 36 minutes to keep the St. Finbarr’s flag flying. “Well done the Molls”
Superb Run By Dan Kennedy in
London Marathon
St. Finbarr’s A.C. stalwart Dan Kennedy put in a fine
run at the London Marathon at the weekend. Dan completed the course in
an excellent time of 3hrs 27mins 39seconds. This placed him in 79 position in the
M55 category.
The
ever consistent Dan will be known to many as the anchor of the Monday
night run and official balladeer of St. Finbarr’s
A.C!! Well done Dan
ARE YOU “FIT FOR LIFE”???
St. Finbarr’s A.C.
is pleased to announce the FIT FOR LIFE programme for people interested
in getting fit and having fun into the bargain.
If you want to get into condition by following
gentle drills, stretching, and conditioning, then you should sign up
for the “FIT FOR LIFE” programme. The sessions are led by our coaches Marian
Lyons and Regina Burton and take place on Wednesday evenings from
6.00pm to 7.00pm at the Mardyke Running
Track. All are welcome.
Excellent ‘Barr’s running in
Rome Marathon
The
Spring marathon season continues with club runners featuring in big city
marathons around Europe. St. Finbarr’s
AC was represented by Neil O’Conaill and Jason Nicholl
at the Rome Marathon on Sunday last March 22nd last. Both
runners achieved excellent times in very warm conditions. Jason came home in a fine time of
2hrs 50 minutes while Neil came home in 3 hrs and 4 minutes.
OUTSTANDING RUN BY CLAIRE McCARTHY IN BARCELONA
MARATHON
We had
two runners taking part in the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday march 1st. St. Finbarr’s
A.C. athlete Claire McCarthy showed her international class by crossing
the line in fourth place overall.
Claire’s time of 2.56 was just
behind the third placed finisher and in fact her chip time of
2.55.39 was faster than the chip time
for third placed runner who recorded 2.55.52.
The
women’s race was a really international affair and was won by 1. Tadelech Biru Zeit, Ethiopia,
2:39:43, followed by 2. Helen Lawrence, Great Britain, 2:54:02 3, Paola Sanna,
Italy,
2:55:52 (chip 2.55.52)
4. Claire McCarthy, Ireland,
2:56:02 (chip 2.55.39) 5. Anna Rosa Moreno, Spain, 2:57:56.
Well done also to
our second athlete in the event, Eídín
Christie.
Eídín completed the marathon in a fine time
of 3 hours and 58 minutes.
St. Finbarr’s AC
wishes to express its condolences to the family of Colin Dunne from Co.
Offaly who died suddenly of heart failure
during the race.
RON HILL VISITS JOHN
BUCKLEY SPORTS & ST. FINBARR’S AC
Click here to view more images
One of the greatest distance runners of all time, Ron Hill visited John
Buckley Sports recently.
A former world record holder and
winner of the Boston
and European marathon championship. Ron Hill now aged 70 is equally
famous for having run every single day since 1964.
A special 'Meet RON' opportunity took place at
John Buckley Sports, Mulgrave Road , Cork
on Monday March 9th.
As can be seen from the image
above many St. Finbarr’s and other Cork
athletes came along for this once in a life time opportunity to meet a
true running legend.
ALL ROADS
LEAD TO BALLYCOTTON 10 MILE ROAD RACE.
The Ballycotton 10
has come around again, and this year’s race will be held on Sunday
March 8th starting at 1.30pm. A huge entry has been received again
this year with over 2,500 expected on the start line. The champion-chip has been adopted to
aid timing and ensure speedy processing of finishing results.
St. Finbarr’s will
be well represented on the day with 49 registered runners. All runners are encouraged to wear
the club vest so as to be fully visible to the thousands of supporters
who will line the route.
Good luck to all concerned and remember to
roar out “Comm’on the Barr’s!” whenever you
see that Black and Gold striped vest
Running in Ireland
– An Amateur Appreciation
by Paul Tucker
This is the running I was used to in Australia: post-school, post-college and
in a town of 40 000 people, 4 hours north of Brisbane. I had a running pal and we would often
run together and when we couldn’t I would run alone or with my
wife. There were no races in the
region. No league or series, no
cross-country, no road races. (I
remember running in a club like cross-country race when I was 11 and I
was one of 3 competitors, one of which was a girl). There was an athletics club for kids
up to 16 and in theory for adults, but there was little to no track
racing for those over 13.
Anything like that was 400km away and if you’re not quicker than
6 minute miles there you’re a nuisance.
I was running to keep fit. I decided to enter the Gold Coast
Half Marathon (500km away) as a means of setting and reaching a
goal. It was too far for my
then-injured friend so I trained by myself and was glad to finish as I
did. I had an idea of what to do
because I was from a strong sporting school in a capital city that did
well in running. Others would
have to learn off the internet.
Something like this is typical of an Australian
provincial town: there are little to no races around you, with little
competition if any, and any big races on are quite a journey away, and
you could well be on your own in getting ready for them. The big races are very big, which is
great craic (I was one of 6 000 at the GCHM),
but there are so many obstacles in getting to them and performing in
them.
Compare this with what’s on offer in Ireland. I was running in Phoenix Park
in Dublin
when I caught up with some lads.
Jimmy told Alice and I to come running with them at Liffey Valley AC.
Sure enough we were welcomed into the club for the 2 months we
were there.
Then we hit Cork.
When I first started running in Cork
I felt welcome. I was admitted
to a fantastic club (St. Finbarr’s) who gave
me training, races and friends.
My first race was the Ballycotton 5
mile series dash in Ballyandreen. I was one of 293 people of a
Wednesday evening. I then
discovered ‘BHAA’ races of similar numbers. I ran community races in Killorglin and Crookhaven,
track and cross-country races were on offer with the Club too. Prizes, showers, facilities, tea,
coffee, competition and company were huge bonuses for me, not the
standard fare.
The mad Finbarr’s had a
marathon pack that Alice and I couldn’t resist. We had runners around us to help us
through some tough sessions which was great. We couldn’t have got through they way
we did without the club.
This is the running scene in Ireland
which is absolutely fantastic. I
found myself wondering why the Cork
running experience isn’t available everywhere. After thinking it through I found the
answer.
Not everywhere has raw Irish talent that gives
competitive racing. I’ve heard
that the standard of competition has slipped since the 1970s in Ireland
which may be so, but the sheer numbers of amateurs competing today at a
sub-elite level is impressive, no question.
Recently I ran the 2009 Gridiron Classic – the big 4 mile race in Central Park, New York City and I was one of
5000. I finished 10th
in the Men’s. My last race was
the BHAA 4 mile at River
Island – I ran 30
seconds quicker at Little Island and I finished 6th. The amateur standard in Ireland
is (still) good.
Every runner who comes to a Cork race will almost always have
runners near them at their pace and runners ahead of them at the pace
they want. Runners here have the
opportunity to reach a personal or team achievement in a social,
supportive atmosphere. Not
everywhere has such a social scene in a sport.
Not everywhere has a supportive atmosphere at a race
or in training. A session with
the club starts with a handshake of how you went on the weekend and
finishes with a pat on the back for getting through it! There is a continued culture of
appreciation here and it can be seen clearly.
It can be seen when athletes have there achievements
recognised and celebrated at the
presentation. It can be seen
when contributors are thanked at the end of every race. It can be seen when one of its passed
members are remembered with a minute’s silence before the runners set
out once more or when Jerry gets applause as he takes on another course
in his wheelchair. The craic is there from start to finish.
Not everywhere has John Desmond, who tirelessly
works on the Cork Runners Website to make running accessible for the
masses, from race information to photos to blog Q&A. All in quick time too. Coupled with the Club websites
(especially Eagle AC), running becomes available from the armchair and
the newcomer, rather than just by word of mouth.
Not everywhere has John Walshe,
who can cross a county to get to a race, enter all the entrants of that
race, run the race and print off the results of the same race within 2
hours! Week to (mid)week! His contributions to running are
exceptional, from the record keeping of it to its promotion in the
papers. John, Good luck for the Ballycotton
10!
Everywhere has the numbers to run these races and to
organise them, but nobody has the inclination
to do it. Not everywhere has
motivated people to organise, participate or
volunteer. Cork has all three. I write this from Dayton,
Ohio at the minute: a USA
town of 177 000 without a shadow of the running scene compared with
your average Irish town.
All of the above, together, simply isn’t anywhere
else. Its the sense of a real
running community that gives Cork all this. So much is done for this community on
a near voluntary basis, and so much of it is appreciated by the
runners. All of the above will
remain while your community remains.
So the Cork
experience isn’t everywhere. Any
outsider can see how good it is.
Hopefully in reading this article the average Irish countrymen
or regular Cork
rebel can see it too. It is
unique and it is a model for runners all over the world. And it’s a bloody good reason for two
Australians to return to Cork
one day: to be part of an excellent, talented, welcoming running
community.
Regards and Thanks,
Paul Tucker
MUNSTER CROSS COUNTRY BRONZE FOR ST. FINBARR’S TEAMS IN DUNGARVAN
The women’s and men’s team of St. Finbarr’s were well represented at the Munster
Senior Cross Country Championships held in Dungarvan
yesterday January 18th 2009.
The club had a dozen runners out in the senior
men and senior women’s races. In
the men’s race we were led home by Con Marshall who is in great form at
the moment, following his fine run in Mallow last week. Con came home
in 10th place followed by Trevor Woods (11th),
Paul Tucker (28th), Eamonn McEvoy (49th), Brian
Purcell (56th) and Tony O’Brien (58th). In an excellent team effort the
‘Barr’s men secured the bronze medal, just behind Togher
(silver) and East Cork (gold).
We had similarly strong performances in the
women’s race and the Barr’s were led home by Anne Donnelly who finished
in 12th position overall. Next home was Mary Sweeney (15th)
Margo Dinan (17th) Ali Venebles
(18th) Blaithin Hannon (19th),
Angela McEvoy (28th).
As with the men a strong team performance by the women was
rewarded with an excellent Bronze medal in a race which was won by
Ennis Track Club with Riocht taking
silver. All in all an excellent
day’s running and well done to the team and coaches.
RESULTS OF MALLOW 10 MILE
ROAD RACE
Sunday January 11th
2009
St. Finbarr’s A.C.
was very well represented at Mallow yesterday and well done to all who took part blustery and rainy
conditions.
First home for the Barr’s was Con Marshall who
ran a fine time of 56.43 and came in 8th overall. Cathal O’Connell took first in the
M45 category, Paul Dinan second in the M50. In the ladies race Claire McCarthy
took 6th place in a time of 64.54 while Margo Dinan took 3rd
in the F40. The ever consistent Mary Sweeney won the F45 in 66.22 with
Anne Donnelly taking 3rd place in that category. Provisional
Results are available at the Mallow A.C. website:
http://www.mallowac.ie
The next race in the John Buckley Sports 10
Mile Spring Series will be hosted by West Waterford A.C. in Dungarvan on February 1st starting at
1.00pm
SENIOR BRONZE FOR ST.
FINBARR’S MEN
In a superb team performance in the Cork County Cross Country Championships
St. Finbarr’s AC took the bronze in the men’s
race. Over a demanding and
undulating course at Watergrasshill the
‘Barr’s men packed well in a very fast moving and competitive
race. Led by captain Derek
O’Leary who ran barefoot the team battled through the field to pack
well in the top twenty runners.
The Barr’s team of Trevor Woods, Con Marshall, Cathal O’Connell,
Derek O’Leary, Kieran O’Sullivan, Eamonn McEvoy, Paul Tucker and Tony
O’Brien took bronze behind East Cork who took gold and Togher who claimed silver. The race was won in comprehensive
fashion by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale. In
the ladies senior race St. Finbarr’s sole
representative was Ali Venables who put in a very strong run.
Marian
Lyons Elected First Lady of
St.
Finbarr’s A.C.
The new President of St. Finbarr’s
A.C. is Marian Lyons who was elected unopposed at the recent club
AGM. Marian is a long time club
member who been a stalwart of the club for several decades. She is a former club chairperson, is
currently the club’s coaching for life representative and is chief
steward for the St. Finbarr’s Half
Marathon. Marian is the first
lady president of the club and everyone wishes her all the best over
her three year term of office.
In recognition of his immense contribution to the club over the
past year Paul Dinan was also re-elected as club chairman. Mr. Declan Murphy was re-elected club
secretary and the club is very grateful that Declan is willing to
shoulder this onerous task again in 2009. To Marian, Paul and Declan and all
the committee members the club offers its congratulations.
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Our
Ladies and Men's Teams who competed in the
Cork County Intermediate & Masters Cross Country Championships
Clonakilty – Nov. 16, 2008
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Dublin City
Marathon / National Marathon
Championships 2008
St. Finbarr’s A.C.
Masters Women Retain All Ireland Crown.
Congratulations
to our Masters Women who retained their All Ireland title in
fine style at the Dublin
City / National
Marathon championships. St. Finbarr’s
had a combined total of 10.42.27 which was nearly seven minutes ahead
of Raheny Shamrock who came second and 25
minutes ahead of Dunboyne AC who took third.
In other
categories our Senior Ladies put in a gallant run to take 4th
place in their race with a combined total of 10.00:22.
Superb
running from our Men’s Master 2 team who secured silver in their
race in a time of 9.50:28. And well done too to our Senior Men
team who took bronze in a time of 7.52:11 in a race won by Galway AC
followed home by Letterkenny AC.
Cross
Country Coaching
Saturday November 15th - Mallow / Strand in Youghal
11.00am
further
details - Padraig 086 8689599
The
International Scene,
Well done
to Ann Donnelly (our lady captain) and Mary Sweeney on qualifying for
the Irish Cross Country team for the Home Internationals.
Further
afield both Eidìn Christie and Marti Burke
completed the Chicago Marathon in blistering heat while nearer to home
Angela McEvoy cruised through the Amsterdam Marathon in a great time of
3hrs 21 min to finish 2nd in her category. Well done to all!
**St. Finbarr’s A.C. are County Champions
2008**
St. Finbarr’s Novice Men’s cross country team swept to
victory in the Cork County Championships at Carrig
na Bhear
yesterday. In an outstanding team performance the ‘Barr’s won by
a wide margin of 11 points over the next team home, Leevale
AC who were followed by Togher AC.
Well done
to manager John Buckley and all the team: (3)
Con Marshall, (7) Colm O’Donovan, (8) Paul Tucker, (9) Kieran
O’Sullivan, (11) Denis Coughlan, (22) Wesley McNamara, (27) Martin
O’Reilly, (43) Brian Russell, (44) Tony O’Brien. Good running also from
Alice Venables who finished in 7th position in the women’s
race.
Mizuno
Cork Half Marathon 2008 – Results
- Word format
- .PDF format
Our thanks to
Marguerite O’Brien & Roy Cummins, with assistance from John Walshe & Liam O’Brien, for producing these
results.
ST. FINBARR’S A.C. ARE ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS.
Congratulations to St. Finbarr’s Masters Women Team who won the All
Ireland Half Marathon team title in Waterford yesterday, September 7th
2008. In a superb team effort the ‘Barr’s trio of Mary Sweeney,
Geraldine O’Shea and Sharon McGarry (ably assisted by team manager Mary
Murphy!) took gold in a highly competitive event. Mary and
Geraldine were also in the medals in the O/45 and O/40
categories. In the men’s race strong performances came from
Cathal O’Connell (2nd O/45) Derek O’Leary, Paul Dinan, and
John Landy. The overall winner of the National Half Marathon was
Killian O’Leary, son of Barr’s man Liam.
ST. FINBARR’S A.C. men at the AAI National Half-Marathon in
Waterford - Sunday September 7th, 2008
Dan Kennedy, Cathal O'Connell (2nd O/45), Paul Dinan, Derek O'Leary
and John Landy.
One from the archives.....
Dan Kennedy & Michael
Joyce at the inaugural Ballycotton 10 in
1978.
A total of 31 athletes took part in this event
which was won by Barrsman
Richie Crowley. The Barrs
were represented by 9 athletes.
Click
here for full results.
Cork City Marathon 2008
Full results for
individuals and teams now available for the Cork City Marathon 2008.
Just click on the website below:
http://www.corkcitymarathon.ie
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