James Veale's weekly blog

SUCCESS FOR WATERFORD SCHOOLS AT EAST MUNSTER'S.




The East Munster schools cross country championships were held last Thursday at the WIT campus Carriganore and the following Waterford schools were among the winners. In the minor girls Lindsey Mc Guire Ursuline Waterford was 2nd and Ursuline Waterford took 2nd team. In the junior girls Emma Hallahan St. Augustine's was 1st and in the team section Team Ard scoil Na nDeise were 3rd. The Inter girls were won by Aoife Ui Urmholtaigh Meanscoil San Nioclas with Niamh Casey Mercy Waterford 3rd and St Augustine's took 2nd team here. In the senior girls race 2nd place went to Orla Queally Stella Maris. In the boys competition Aaron Donnelly Abbey C.C. took a deserving victory in the minor race and in the Junior boys Shane O'Brien St. Declan's was 1st and  Aedan Rodgers Newtown School was 3rd , there was a clean sweep by Waterford schools here with St Declan's 1st, St. Augustine's 2nd and  Dungaravn C.B.S. 3rd .In the Intermediate boys 1st place went to Barry Keane  St. Declan's and  St. Declan's team were 3rd .Senior boys saw Michael Behan St Declan's take 3rd.The top 15 and winning teams all qualified  the Munster schools cross country which will be held on Thursday 13th February at CIT Cork .


WOODIES DIY ATHLETICS IRELAND OPEN GAMES.

SUCCESS FOR WATERFORD ATHLETES.

Last Sunday the woodies DIY athletic Ireland open indoor games took place at the Athlone international arena. West Waterford and Ferrybank AC athletes were in action on the day. For West Waterford there was a Super performance by David Mc Carthy in the 1500m when he improved on his indoor season opener recently of 3:42.33 at an Indoor Classic in Vienna, Sunday David set a personal best of 3:39.14. Which was inside the qualification standard of 3:41.00 for the World Indoors in Poland. McCarthy plans to compete in the 800m in the Intervarsity’s Championships next weekend followed by the 3000m at the Senior Championships.  The race was won by Jakub Ouolusa of Czech Republic in a new National record of 3:38.79. This was David’s first time breaking the 4.40 minute barrier over 1.500 a fantastic break through for the talented Ballinamult man. Also from West Waterford Lisa Houlihan won the ladies pole vault with a vault of 2.60 and her brother Thomas was 2nd in the senior men's competition with a vault of 4.40. While Rory Moloney ran the 3.000 meters and finished 7th with a time of 9.35 .Rachel Power threw a new personal best of 7.46 in the 3k shot (classification f37) very well done to Rachel. Sean Curran ran strongly to finish 3rd in the 1.500 meters clocking 4.11.87, James Ledingham was back from a recent injury competing in the 800 meter’s and he finished 5th in 1.54.29.
Ferrybank athletes also performed very well at the event. There were super performance on the day when a big double was recorded by Kelly proper when she was 1st in the long jump with a leap of 6.23, The Ferrybank Irish record holder put in real solid performance’s in all her three jumps which were well over 6m.  Kelly was also 1st in the 200 meters in 23.91 later in the day ,Niamh Whelan was 2nd over 200 in 24.56 and she finished 4th in the 60 meter final. Neasa Murphy was 2nd in the high jump when clearing 1.65 meters, while Niall Tuohy was 5th in the 800 in a time of 1.49.49 and young Ben Kiely set a new personal best time  of 22.65 to finish 2nd in the 200. Niamh Mc Nicolle was 4th in the ladies 200 meters


MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SERIES.

12TH ANNUAL BAUSCH AND LOMB KILMACTHOMAS 5 ON SUNDAY FEB 16TH.

The next big road racing event will be on Sunday February 16th at 11 a.m., the 12th Annual Bausch and Lomb sponsored Kilmacthomas 5 mile road race. This is race number four in the West Waterford AC organised Michael Roche Carpets series of road races. Entries will be taken at the community hall Kilmacthomas at the top of the town with the entry fee being 8 Euro. Shower facilities will also be available in this hall after the event for both men and women. With the help of the very generous sponsorship very kindly given by Bausch and Lomb a very attractive prize fund will be on offer for the top competitors and plenty of spots for down the field finishers also. Presentation of prizes will take place at Kirwans Bar on the Main St. where sandwiches and refreshments will be available to all. The categories are as follows:
MEN-1st 2nd and 3rd, 1st over 40,45,50,55 and 1st Junior
LADIES- 1st 2nd and 3rd, 1st over 35,40,45,50


ENTRIES FOR THE WATERFORD VIKING MARATHON 2014 NOW OPEN.

On the back to two successful annual events WLR fm’s Waterford Viking Marathon is now open for registration. The organisers are really excited about next year’s event which will take place on Saturday June 28th with the introduction of a new and improved route making the course even flatter and faster than before! Also, this year they are delighted to announce the introduction of a unique Quarter Marathon option, measuring in at 6.55miles or 10.54km, and are hoping many new budding runners will take part next June. There are increased cash prizes for all category winners this year and with a fabulous 2014 medal, high performance t-Shirt and goody Bag for finishers no one will go home empty handed! So if you haven’t already registered do so soon and then get your runners on and get out there in preparation for the big day. The Charities the race will be supporting for 2014 are AWARE and the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association (IMNDA).


MUNSTER ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The dates for the Munster Road Racing championships are as follows. The Masters will take place on Sunday 16th March in Kilnaboy, Co. Clare. The Munster Novice and Senior Road Race is fixed for Sunday 30th March at a Waterford venue.


UP COMING INDOOR FIXTURES.


Intervarsity  championships  AIT international stadium February 07th

Munster Juvenile under 9-13 years February 08th and 9th Nenagh stadium.

AAI Senior 15th and 16th AIT international stadium

AAI Clubs league round 2 February 22nd AIT international stadium.

Munster Juvenile under 14 -19 years March 1st and 2nd Nenagh Stadium.

All entries through relevant club secretary’s.