Fintan Walsh's weekly blog

Kelly's Irish Record in Italy

A new Irish record of 5,442 points in Heptathlon was set by Kelly Proper of Ferrybank AC. last week. Kelly broke her club mate Mairead Murphy’s record of 5,399 set in May 2012 while competing in the Multistars in Florence, Italy on the 2nd and 3^rd of May. Proper began the gruelling two day competition with a sixth place finish in the 100m hurdles recording a time of 14.80. This earned her a score of 868 points, a very solid start to the competition. The high jump came next and Kelly cleared a height of 1.66m to earn herself 806 points. In the shot putt she threw a distance of 10.40 m which converted to 556 points. The 200m was the final event on day one and Proper produced a remarkable performance to record a time of 24.10, the fastest 200 m time of the entire competition. This meant Kelly had an overnight score of 3,201 points. She started strongly on day two with a season’s best in the long jump of 6.31m and 34.11m in the Javelin. Kelly then ran a terrific 800m of 2.26.28 to finish in eight place overall and in doing so smashed the Irish record with a score of 5,442 points in her first International Heptathlon. In New Jersey on Sunday Shane Quinn finished second in the Big East Championships in the 5000 metres in 14 minutes 28.98 seconds

Jessie wins British title

Waterford's Olympic athlete Jessie Barr Ferrybank AC in her first race of the season won the British University 400 metres hurdles Championship in Bedford at the week end in a time of 58.07 seconds.

Record entry for Waterford to Tramore Race.

 A record entry of 500 competed in the 44 th Annual Waterford to Tramore Paddy Flanagan Memorial Road Race on Friday last sponsored by Blue Wall Technology, race 3 Ger Wyley Sports Series. The overall winner was Andrew Connick Ferrybank AC in a time of 41 minutes 14 seconds, Michael Lyons Grange/Fermoy was second in 42.11 and third was Tommy Mc Elwaine Ferns Co Wexford in 42.23.. Sylvia Malone Waterford AC won the ladies section in 47.38, Mags Bolger Kirwan do was second in 48.54 and in third spot was Joan Mahony do in 50.02. Category winners men; o 40  Kevin Malone Waterford AC, o 45 Sean Caulfield St Senan's, o 50 Derek Tebay Waterford AC, o 55 Eugene Doherty Sliabh Bhui Rovers, o 60 Paddy Halpin Ballynonty, Junior R O'Donoghue. Women;.o 35  Naomi Doonan ( Iind ) ,o 40 Caitriona Gough Waterford AC, o 45 Jacinta Brazil do, o 50 Gabriel Blair do, o  55 Andrea Ridge Tuam, Junior Siobhan Heylin  Men's team Waterford AC ( Brian O'Sullivan, Tony Quinlan, John Dineen, Women Waterford AC ( Claudia Mary, Brea Cooke, Kate Nolan ) 500 competed. Mrs Flanagan's special prize went to Michael Mc Carthy Tramore a most popular choice. The organisers Waterford AC wish to thank their sponsors all who competed, the Gardai, Order of Malta, Management of Theatre Royal, Tramore GAA Club and all the officials and stewards

Wins in Limerick and Bantry

Two West Waterford AC athletes both had wins last Sunday. In Limerick Ravis Zakis was first home in the Limerick Marathon in 2 hrs 35 minutes, 38 seconds and in Bantry Sandis Bralitis won the Bayrun Half Marathon in 69 minutes 10 seconds.

Lots of East Munster winners.

Athletes from Waterford schools completely dominated the East Munster Girls Secondary Schools Track and field Championships in Templemore on Wednesday last May 1st . The following won titles; Minor 200 m Kate Murphy Abbey CC, 800 m Emma Hallahan St Augustine's, 1500 m Eve Lacey Abbey CC, shot putt Leah Maher Ursuline, long jump Chloe Farrell do, Minor Cup Abbey CC,.Junior 100 m and high jump Sinead O'Regan Ursuline, 1500 m Aoife Hamilton Mean Scoil San Nioclas, 1200 m walk Isobelle Morgan Ursuline, shot putt Megan Phelan St Augustine's, javelin  and discus Orlaith O'Brien Ursuline, long jump Shauna Clancy do, triple jump Kate Mc Grath do, relay Ursuline, Junior Cup Ursuline. Intermediate; 100 and 200 m Niamh Mc Nicol Stella Maris Tramore, 300 m Mairead Meehan St Augustine's, 800 m Aisling Quinn Ursuline, javelin Molly Curran St Augustine's, high jump Neasa Murphy Stella Maris, long jump Niamh Giles Doran Mercy Waterford, triple jump Liz Devine St Augustine's, relay Stella Maris Inter Cup St Augustine's. Senior; 100 m Jessie Palmer Newtown School, 200 m Aisling O'Brien Blackwater CS, 400 m Megan Kiely Ursuline, shot putt and discus Kate Hickey St Declan's, high jump Laura Connors Ard Scoil na n Deise, long and triple jump Siobhan Whelan Presentation Waterford, relay Blackwater CS..

County Championships begin on Sunday

Kilmacow is the venue on Sunday next for the first section of the Waterford Juvenile and Junior Track and Field Championships which begin at 11.30 am sharp. The full programme for the day is with all clubs. Athletes allowed move up one age - just one age -in Relays ONLY all other events are in the particular age group, relays are for boys and girls but no mixed teams allowed.  Note no senior events on the day.All Athletes pay entry fee inside with Mr McGovern, Relay Teams also have to be payed for, spectators pay on gate.. Lots of help required from a;club's to run the fixture smoothly.Due to track being laid at RSC the event is in Kilmacow and the Co Board wish to thank the Kilmacow people for providing the facility.Day 2 of the Championships is Saturday May 25 th in Kilkenny at 12.30 pm.

.Waterford City Primary School Sports.

This year the Waterford City Primary School Sports will be at The Complex in Kilmacow on Wednesday morning May 15 th at 11 am, the fixture was planned for this Wednesday but postponed due to weather forecast.