Fri 14 Dec – 21.00 – Mardyke Cricket Club
To celebrate the year’s achievements and there have been a few!. Will see you there!

Thanks to Michael Herlihy for this….

Some of the upcoming fixtures that Cork AAI athletes will be competing in over the next 4 or 5 months;

Dec 2nd – Munster Juvenile “B” & Masters Cross Country Championships, Co. Clare
Dec 9th – AAI Novice and Uneven Ages XC Champs, Adamstown, Co. Wexford
Dec 9th – European Cross Country Championships – Budapest, Hungary

Dec 15th – Doneraile Park 5km
Dec 23rd – Duhallow 5km, Newmarket, Co. Cork 1pm
Jan 6th – Munster Senior, Junior and Masters Indoor Championships, Nenagh.
Jan 13th – Munster Juvenile Relays, Junior & Senior XC Champs, Limerick Racecourse.
Jan 19th – AAI Masters Indoor Championships – New Athlone Indoor Complex!
Jan 20th – AAI Junior & U/23 Indoor Championships – Athlone
Jan 24th – North Munster Schools Cross Country – Pallaskenry
Jan 25th – South Munster Schools Cross Country – Cork IT
Feb 3rd – AAI Development Cross Country – Gransha Park, Derry
Feb 3rd – AAI Intermediate and Masters Cross Country – Derry
Feb 9th/10th- AAI Senior Indoor Championships – Athlone IT
Feb 16th/17th – Munster Juvenile Under 9 to 13 Indoors – Nenagh
Feb 23rd/24th – Munster Juvenile Under 14 to 19 Indoors – Nenagh
Feb 24th – AAI Inter-Club Cross Country – Tullamore, Co. Offaly
March 5th – Munster Schools Indoor Championships – Nenagh
March 9th – Irish Schools XCountry – Jordanstown, N.Ireland
March 10th – Munster Senior and Novice 4 mile – TBC
March 23rd – Schools International XC – Wales
Mar 23rd/24th – All-Ireland Juvenile Indoors – Athlone
April 14th – AAI 10km Road Champs – Phoenix Park

The catastrophic flood of 2009 and large scale redevelopment of the Pavilion and Sports Arena in 2011 & 2012 resulted in a near extinction of athletics at the UCC Mardyke. Now, at last, the builders and the machinery have moved on and the Mardyke is once again ready for a return of the clubs and athletes, and the unique atmosphere of fun and excitement their presence brings to the venue.

The track has been completely resurfaced and laid out to international standards. And, with new floodlighting to boot, the whole setup looks and feels fantastic. As of the 30^th of November 2012, the Friday evening training sessions will take place at the UCC Mardyke from 6pm.

Rob Heffernan at London 2012 (far right)

At the time of the Montreal Olympics in 1976, the nation held its collective breath as Eamonn Coghlan, by his own admission, grabbed fourth place from the jaws of victory in the eagerly awaited 1500m showdown with his long-time rival John Walker. And so, fast forward to London 2012, and another Irish athlete, and a Walker to boot, takes fourth spot in an Olympic final. However, for the vast majority of the Irish sporting public, the latter fourth was more like a Bolt from the blue than a Bolt from Jamaica. 

Of course, to those who know Rob Heffernan, his performance at London 2012 came as no great surprise. This was the culmination of years of dedication, effort and single mindedness in his quest to reach the top of his chosen sport. In the post games rush, Ireland’s Olympic medallists in Boxing and Equestrian took centre stage in the national limelight. However, for Track & Field enthusiasts, Road Runners and Coyotes alike, Rob Heffernan’s fourth place in the 50km Walk was undoubtedly the highlight Irish performance of London 2012. 

It would of course be remiss of me not to mention Rob’s better half Marian (Andrews) Heffernan who, along with her 4x400m colleagues, also gave of their best in pursuit of Olympic glory. All the above mentioned did the nation proud and competed gallantly in the true spirit of the games. Well done, Olympians one and all! 

Rob Heffernan can often be seen of an evening strutting his stuff on the Straight Road. If you manage to catch up with him, then he’s probably taking a breather. Do him a big favour and tell him to Hurry up. “C’mon now Rob, you really ought to be Russian along there!” 

Excerpt from Athletics Ireland

Rob Heffernan (Togher A.C.) was named as the Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards in association with Woodie’s DIY and Tipperary Crystal which took on Saturday 17th of November in the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin 4.

2012 was the year when Rob Heffernan quite literally had the Walk of his life. His fourth place finish in the 50k Walk at the London Olympic Games was the standout performance by an Irish athlete at major championships this season. On that occasion the Togher AC athlete carved his way through the field and came up one place short of what would have been a well deserved Olympic medal. In the process Heffernan destroyed his own national record with a time of 3:37.54. The 34-year-old remains on course to grab the major medal that now appears more probably than possible. Not Surprisingly Rob Heffernan was also awarded the Race Walker of the Year Award for 2012.

The St. Finbarr’s A.C. annual general meeting will take place on Monday 26^th of November 2012 at the Mardyke Cricket Grounds at 8pm. All club members are eligible to attend. In particular, we would urge our younger members to come along and contribute to the evening’s proceedings. I’m sure you’ll find it both interesting and informative – indeed, everything you wanted to know about the BARRS but were afraid to ask.

As a result of the AGM, there’ll be no training run on the Monday evening. The club committee is all fired up and eager to deal decisively with all matters arising from the club’s activities. See you all there!

Dublin Marathon 2012 incorporating AAI National Marathon 2012

Team Results

Senior Men (8th)
2516 Cathal O’ Connell M45 02:33:22
3556 Paul Gallagher  SM 02:40:44
0641 Eoin Field  M35 02:59:38 

M35+ (61st )
4017 Dave O’ Regan  M45 03:21:14
7542 Donal Murray  M35 03:45:57
2271 John-Philip Murray M60 03:55:46 

W35+ A-Team (1st)
4021 Geraldine O’ Shea W40 03:03:30
2632 Esther Murphy  W35 03:04:59
1752 Mary Sweeney  W50 03:06:36

W35+ B-Team (3rd)
4085 Niamh Cronin  W35 03:13:14
2128 Orla Crosbie  W45 03:15:26
4381 Margo Dinan  W45 03:20:45

Masters Results

M35:
016 Brian Murphy  4405 M35 02:52:54
041 Eoin Field  0641 M35 02:59:38
183 Donal Murray  7542 M35 03:45:57
261 Charlie Bogue  9850 M35 04:27:53 

M45:
002 Cathal O’ Connell 2516 M45 02:33:22
068 Dave O’ Regan  4017 M45 03:21:14
153 Bob Hilliard  7243 M45 03:59:03 

M60:
014 John-Philip Murray 2271 M60 03:55:46 

W35:
002 Esther Murphy  2632 W35 03:04:59
004 Gillian Cotter  2230 W35 03:11:55
005 Niamh Cronin  4085 W35 03:13:14
017 Kathleen Kelly  7497 W35 03:35:27 

W40:      
005 Geraldine O’ Shea 4021 W40 03:03:30
014 Anne Wolfe  2138 W40 03:22:44 

W45:      
003 Orla Crosbie  2128 W45 03:15:26
004 Margo Dinan  4381 W45 03:20:45 

W50:
001 Mary Sweeney  1752 W50 03:06:36
012 Amanda Stavrou  8077 W50 04:09:10
018 Mary Mulcahy  9722 W50 04:15:04 

Individual Results

The individual results are likely to still contain errors. A rudimentary check of the results revealed that the following club members were entered (counted) twice with knock on effects for subsequent entries. 

Esther Murphy, Niamh Cronin, Margo Dinan, Kathleen Kelly, John-Philip Murray & Amanda Stavrou 

0014 Cathal O’ Connell 2516 M 02:33:22
0031 Paul Gallagher  3556 M 02:40:44
0094 Brian Murphy  4405 M 02:52:54
0185 Eoin Field  0641 M 02:59:38
0227 Geraldine O’ Shea 4021 F 03:03:30
0239 Esther Murphy  2632 F 03:04:59
0261 Mary Sweeney  1752 F 03:06:36
0298 Fergal Sargent  2379 M 03:10:30
0316 Gillian Cotter  2230 F 03:11:55
0334 Niamh Cronin  4085 F 03:13:14
0389 Orla Crosbie  2128 F 03:15:26
0435 Ruairi O’Mahony  0668 M 03:18:48
0469 Margo Dinan  4381 F 03:20:45
0481 Dave O’Regan  4017 M 03:21:14
0712 Kathleen Kelly  7497 F 03:35:27
0813 Omar El-Sherif  2261 M 03:42:01
0896 Donal Murray  7542 M 03:45:57
0969 Siobhan Healy  3285 F 03:50:42
1018 David Butler  7642 M 03:53:36
1071 John-Philip Murray 2271 M 03:55:46
1138 Bob Hilliard  7243 M 03:59:03
1266 Amanda Stavrou  8077 F 04:09:10
1348 Mary Mulcahy  9722 F 04:15:04
1490 Charlie Bogue  9850 M 04:27:53

WIT ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre

The Munster Juvenile Uneven Age & Intermediate XC Champs take place on Sunday 11th of November 2012 at the WIT West Campus, Carriganore, Co. Waterford from 12pm. It’s customary for the Juveniles to go off first, with the Men’s and Women’s races starting at 2pm. However, be prepared for some slippage either way!

Women’s Intermediate 5000m

Men’s Intermediate 8000m

Waterford Institute of Technology West Campus, Carriganore is located on the Old Kilmeaden Road, bounded on the perimeter by the River Suir and the new Waterford bypass N25/E30 feeder where a major roundabout access to the Campus has been developed. The existing Carriganore House has also been refurbished and is now a base for research activities and corporate meetings in a magnificent woodland setting. The sports pavilion and associated sports grounds have been developed to the South side of the campus. The Campus covers almost 160 acres of land that runs from the old Kilmeaden road down to the bank of the river Suir. Fifty acres of the land is set aside specifically for sports facilities, which includes the following;

• Three full sized floodlight grass pitches
• Top class GAA approved all weather pitch (full sized GAA or two soccer pitches)
• 2km undulating outdoor run
• 8 first class changing facilities

From Cork via the Waterford By-Pass (N25/E30), take the R710 exit for Waterford/​Tramore. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and go through the next roundabout. After 500m, take 2nd exit at the WIT Campus roundabout and go through the next roundabout. Take the 2nd exit at the third roundabout and turn left.

Race Venue (+52° 15' 12.44", -7° 11' 13.78")

Google Maps Coordinates: 52.253456, -7.187162

(Open Google Maps, copy the above numbers, paste into the search box and hit enter)

Last year’s Intermediate XC was held at the Powerstown Park Race Course in Clonmel. Running an XC race on a huge horse track with one of the straights high above the plane of the other appeared daunting at the outset. However, the venue made for a somewhat unusual but memorable experience on a November day bathed in spring sunshine. The BARRS Men (Cathal O’Donovan, Allen Whitaker, Michael Morgan & Denis Coughlan) won the team prize, while the Cork Men’s Team was runner up.

This competition is held under AAI rules; participating athletes must be registered club members and wear club colours. The very best of luck to all of those involved! 

The Cork Triathlon Club will host an “Introduction to Triathlon” day for 12 to 18 year olds on Saturday 17th November 2012 at Leisure World, Bishopstown & the CIT Track. All elements of Triathlon, including swimming, biking & running as well as transition skills, will be covered. Similar events are planned for the New Year.

Venue: Leisure World, Bishopstown & CIT Track

Date: Saturday November 17th 2012

Time: 12pm – 4pm

Age: 12-18 Years

Cost: €10

 For further details log onto www.corktri.com

Congrats to all who took part in the Dublin Marathon on Monday 29th October, 2012. On a fantastic day there were lots of top class performances with pb’s all over the place!

The Dublin Marathon is also the National Marathon Championship and according to the provisional results medals galore were won by the teams!
Individual Gold was won by Mary Sweeney in F50 while Cathal O Connell won individual silver in M45. Esther Murphy also won individual silver in F35 while Orla Crosbie won individual bronze in F45. In the team event our ladies team won Gold in F35+ and although there is an error in the team listing I think when it is corrected they will still be in the Gold medal position!
Congratulations to all who ran so well on the day!

The County Junior & Senior Cross Country Championships will take place on Sunday 04-Nov-2012 in the Whites Cross/Ballinhina locality at 1pm. This year’s event is preceded by the East Cork Uneven Age Juvenile XC with the kiddies kicking off at 11.30am. The venue is NOT the same as that of the recent Novice XC; it’s about 3 miles city side of Carrignavar on the main road to Cork City.

Women’s Senior 6000m

Men’s Senior 10,000m

Race Venue (+51° 57' 43.62", -8° 28' 12.57")

Google Maps Coordinates: 51.962118, -8.470159

(Open Google Maps, copy the above numbers, paste into the search box and hit enter)

Last year’s Senior XC took place in Bandon in glorious autumn sunshine. In the men’s race, Barry Donovan of Leevale was first home with East Cork grabbing the men’s club prize. In the Women’s race, Lizzie Lee of Leevale was first home and her club Leevale also took home the team prize.

The Senior XC races are run over extended distances and always make for an exhilarating and exciting experience. If you can make it, please come along and cheer on the club’s athletes. This competition is held under AAI rules; participating athletes must be registered club members and wear a club Singlet. The very best of luck to all involved!