BHAA NSRT-SMART Cross Country

The Ward, Saturday November 30th – There was a healthy Sportsworld turnout at the NSRT/SMART BHAA XC held on farmland just off the N2 on Dublin’s northside. Beneath tremendously cold conditions and a thick fog lay an enterprising farmer that had built a fine indoor astro park facility on his land that could hold full sized football matches. After registration we jogged around the course, which consisted of land that had maize harvested recently; and the ground was very soft due to both heavy rainfall and the fact that some of the land had been recently ploughed. From mid morning, a crowd of people including volunteers, photographers, journalists and on lookers had assembled at the drama point of the course – an almost waist high stream that had to be briefly waded through en route to completing the course. The river wasn’t as bad as one’s mind could lead it to imagine – what was a bigger test was the short steep hill up the valley straight after it when your momentum had been absorbed by the river. If anything it served as a well needed wash along the way! This clip from last year will give you an idea:


Onto the action, and 24 competitors toed the line for the girls race (4k), won by the brilliant Raheny based Pole Patrycia Wlodarczyk. Our own girls didn’t disappoint either, with Helen battling through the thick mud and fog for a podium finish; and Stephanie finishing a magnificent 4th.

For the men’s race, the sluice gate was opened to allow a greater volume of water to enter the stream (which before that was below knee height). The 6k race of 130 men was won by one of Meath’s finest runners Rory McDonnell. Performance of the day went to Paul O Connell, who had got back from the canaries well after midnight and a few hours before the starting gun. Completing four races in four days (including a half marathon) during his ‘holiday’ in Lanzarote was not enough to deter Paul from a top 6 finish.

Having run the Dublin marathon less than five weeks previously, Eoin ran his first cross country in a little over a year and did very well indeed. Elsewhere in the field, Packie, Billy and Brian put in some decent performances ahead of next week’s national novice.

For all racepix365 photos click here but make sure you view this photo!

Womens 4km
1 Patrycia Wlodarczyk 19:33
3 Helen White 20:36
4 Stephanie Bergin 21:03

Mens 6km
1 Rory McDonnell 23:14
6 Paul O'Connell 24:40
17 Packie Enright 26:05
26 Billy Tyrell 27:01
72 Brian Conway 30:45
77 Eoin O'Brien 31:34

Report By
Packie Enright

Ballycotton 10 Registration Open

As some people have been querying, it’s now possible to download entry forms for the 2010 Ballycotton 10 Road Race here. The first 2500 postal entries opened will be automatically accepted. These spots go like the proverbial hot cakes. AAI registered runners will be accepted by post up to and including Tuesday December 15th. Click here for full entry procedures.

It will be 33rd edition of this classic race and Sportsworld has been well represented at it throughout the years. School books of Irish folklore have been updated with the epic battle of a certain husband and wife back in 1984. Way back then, when Miami Vice first beamed into our lives on the small screen, John Treacy picked up silver in the marathon at the LA Olympics and Star Trek III – The search for Spock hit the silver screen, this competitive duo left Dublin and hiked to east cork and lined up with the good and great of Irish athletics. They stood side by side (playing elbows) on the start line. The wife was feeling confident as she hummed Cyndi Lauper’s new No.1 “Girls just wanna have fun”. But it was the husband who first stormed up through the fishing village, over the crest of the hill to the finish line in 56.13 followed by his better half in 57:42. After not talking the whole way home the poor lady had to endure months of gloating across the kitchen table - pass the salt….ahh to slow! So in 1985, Emily Dowling lined up again and ran a stunning 56:00, knocking 13 seconds off Mick’s time to get a classic Dowling time!

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country 2009

Sportsworld Delay Cross Country Start – Again!
Reports of an ark being constructed on the grounds of Aras an Uachtaran, presumably to evacuate the President and selected residents of the zoo, have not been confirmed. However Met Eireann have confirmed that if water levels rise any further Ireland will be transformed into an amusing archipelago of Lugnocoille, Croagh Patrick, Carrauntoohil etc.

Awaking to the, now, all too familiar sound of rain drumming against the window I was relieved not to hear water flowing around my bed. Wrapping the duvet tightly about me I pondered what was in store and secretly hoped that today’s Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championships would be called off. Alas, it takes more then a flood of biblical proportions to stop a Dublin Athletics Board Cross Country Race.

Arriving with Mike Cunningham at Tymon shortly after 1pm, it didn’t bode well to find the Children of Lir resting on a lake formed at a bend in the course.

Paul Duffy and Ronan Merrick trotted up to tell us that we had 10mins before the mens race so with an air of controlled panic we made a bit of a dash down to the start. The great advantage of being late is you don’t need to bother about warming up and you don’t have to keep going to the toilet. One by one the rest of the mens team, Gareth Murran, Trevor McSweeney and Colm Kennedy arrived - with minutes to spare.

Unfortunately, due to our lateness, we missed the ladies race. I did bump in to Ciara, Helen and Louise, and I know that Ruth had another very strong run – well done to all on what must have been ‘Character Building’! In fact Ciara told me that she felt like she had just completed an Iron Man competition.

And so to the mens race... We are assembled ready to go when, is it a bird, is it plane – no, it’s Mark Dunne doing the 100m dash to the start line. Harry’s anxious to get this one started - there’s no messing about ‘toe behind the line’ this time – everyone just wants to get this over so we can go home. BANG and there off!

The underfoot conditions were the worst I’ve experienced over the two years of Cross Country I have raced. The opportunities to run were limited to a few short sections on the higher section of the course – but for the most part it was trudging through deep muck or standing water – up to 25cm in places.

Paul Duffy tore off with the leaders followed by Mike, Trevor, Ronan, Garret and Mark. Colm and I fought a rear-guard action – objective: Try not to be last. After a week of warm-weather, high altitude training in Lanzarote great things were promised by our elite – on reflection, perhaps a bog snorkelling trip to Yorkshire would have been more beneficial?

After the first lap I lost sight of our elite runners and settled down to run with Colm, exchanging the lead between us as the course rose and fell. We worked well together for the first two laps but then I lost contact with him and ran on my own. Passing through half way I could see Garret dropping back through the field and tried to give chase. By that stage I had developed a pretty bad stitch in the lower abdomen and was also dropping back, and was never within 30m of him.

A steady stream of runners passed me on the 3rd and 4th laps and I had nothing in the tank to stay with them. In the last 500m a Rathfarnham runner went by and I used him to take me home - just about holding off the following pack and sneaking by him on the line as an added bonus. Colm followed a couple of seconds later.

Top of the Sportsworld pile was Mike, who secretly loves running in slop, followed by an impressive Trevor in his Cross-Country debut. For full results check the Dublin Athletics Board Website – in about a month.

Thanks to Sportworld faithful for their supporter – the conditions may have been harder on you then on us. The cheers were certainly appreciated if not acknowledged.

For racepix395 photos click here.

Report By
Paul Mitchell

Bring and Buy Cake Sale!!!

Yes folks our favourite event of the year is upon us. Christmas? No, no….the annual bring and buy cake sale is here, woohoo!!! I know many the Sportsworlds runner that ticks off the days on the calendar, yearning for their night to unleash their great, great Grandmothers sponge cake recipe on their unsuspecting clubmates (you know who you are!). So dust off your dubious apron that you can’t throw out because it was a present from your brother, get those chef hats pumped up, fire up the oven and start brushing up on your flans!

This year is in aid of Turn 2 Me (Suicide Support)

It’s on Tuesday 8th December at 8.15 after training at the clubhouse so pencil that in to your diaries!

Tea and Coffee available plus a Raffle!!!

Map Series 10 - Sportsworlds Fartlek

The classic fartlek training loop. The staple for our summer months in Bushy Park. Pick up and drop off pace as per markings. A lap is approx 2 miles.


View Sportsworld Training - Fartlek Loop in a larger map

Intercounties Cross Country

The AAI Intercounties Cross Country National Championships took place in Kilbeggan racecourse on Sunday November 22nd. Muddy underfoot conditions, strong winds and rain left a very testing course for all athletes involved.

First up was the Senior ladies 8km event where Sportsworld had two representatives, Lucy D'arcy and Crona Brady. With both the Junior and Senior races acting as a trial for the forthcoming European cross country championships in Santry, the fields assembled included Ireland's best. Lucy ran a perfectly even paced race to take 22nd position in a time of 31.12. Lucy has clearly recovered from her marathon exploits and her fine run in the Masters International last weekend in Birmingham. Crona, in her debut national senior cross country race, continued her fantastic form this season running strongly throughout finishing just behind Lucy in 27th place (31.27). Along with Sarah Treacy (5th) and Fiona Mahon (12th), both Lucy and Crona won silver team medals with the Meath team that finished behind Dublin. Well done girls.

Also a big thanks to Packie and Myles for their support and encouragement on the day.

Photos from Racepix365 available here.

Report By
Aoife Brady

Meet & Train Round 2 Tymon Park

Meet & Train 09/10 Photos

The second Women’s Meet and Train Cross Country race of the season was held on Sunday, November 22 at Tymon Park. Although, thankfully, the rain held off for the race, the wind certainly didn’t and that combined with the effects of a week of torrential downpour didn’t make for great running conditions – ladies don’t forget to wash your spikes after this one!

Despite the wind and mud there was a great showing and the race was very well organized. Kudos to all the Sportsworld stewards and supporters who cheered and steered everyone through the course – and also to those who provided much appreciated refreshments afterwards!

It was a great day for Sportsworld with 4 finishers in the top 5. Edel Madigan scored another first place leading the field from very early on. Ruth Kelly came in second - an outstanding performance in her first ever cross country race. Louise Nolan followed in third and Mairead O’Callaghan in fifth. Congratulations to all who finished the race and looking forward to the next race of the series in January!

Report By
Mairead O’Callaghan

British & Irish Masters Cross Country

British & Irish Masters Cross Country held in Perry park, Birmingham Saturday 14th November 2009.

Wow, the 2nd international in 6 days!

Saturday morning 9:30am, cold, wet (but not raining at the moment) & not too windy, not a bad 1st impression of the day ahead, oh but were we in for a treat. The coach arrived to bring us off to Perry Park, a short 30mins from the hotel, nobody was in a hurry to get off the bus when we arrived, way too cold, and the races weren't starting until 12pm, sure what’s the rush.

The time whizzed by, a few team photos and a few sloshy warm-up laps later and it was time for the off. Mean-while the wind had rapidly picked up & it got a lot colder, time to get the trackies off, 6 tough kms ahead of us, no going back now. Cold but dry we were on the start line, gun goes off and so do we, head-long into the wind, round 1 corner, round another and up along the trees, if your feet weren't wet before the race they sure were now, along the water-logged tree-lined stretch but in our favour the strong wind was behind us at this point (but that didn’t last long), up a short, sharp, muddy hill to head off around the lake on a carpet of leaves, nice (on the 1st lap anyway), through another bit of muck, up another longer hill, this time into the wind, across the top and a slippy downhill followed by a sharp right hand bend, along some more trees followed by a decent downhill stretch only to be hit with a savage uphill climb into the wind again. This marked the end of the 1st lap, this was also the finish line at the end of our 3rd lap.

The 2nd and 3rd laps were even worse as we had driving rain and worsening underfoot conditions to contend with as well as the wind but we survived to tell the tail. All I can say is that we were lucky to be the 1st race out and not the last.

The club representatives were:
Carol Lynch:-masters 60 who finished with team silver.
Helen White:-masters 40, who finished in a fantastic 34th place and another team silver.
Lucy D'Arcy:-masters 40, who also finished high up the field in17th place and shared team silver with Helen.

Thank you to Paddy Lynch who travelled with Carol and gave us great support, thanks a mill also to every-one for their good luck wishes before the trip and congratulations after, your support is so important and gives all of us a great lift, whether it via text message or at the event, keep it up club-mates, thank you.

Report By
Lucy D’Arcy

Map Series 9 - Sportsworlds The Dodder Loop

This is a weekend run along the banks of the Dodder from the Clubhouse to Donnybrook enjoyed by club members. Approx 8 miles.


View Sportsworld - The Dodder Loop in a larger map

Meet & Train Stewards Required

Folks, this Sunday (22nd Nov) is the second leg of the Meet & Train Cross Country Series. It’s being hosted by Sportsworld and so club members are needed to steward the race in Tymon Park, Tallaght. A lot of people are away with the inter-county cross country and the Lanzarote trip also on this coming weekend. So if you’re in Dublin, it would be greatly appreciated if you could give up a couple of hours of your time on Sunday morning between 10-12 to lend a hand.

Please contact Steven Willoughby (085-7305477) or Paddy Lynch for more details.

Irish Universities Athletics Association Road Relays

There were 2 Sportsworld men in universities action at the IUAA road relays in Maynooth on Saturday. Both were on the DIT B team that finished 17th out of the 28 university teams that went to the starting post. The DIT A team finished a record 6th place in a field riddled with Ireland’s top middle and long distance track stars. 230 athletes of either gender ran and it was superbly organised. The lap was a very flat one that is 1620m long, so it was just over a mile. Similar to other relays, the team’s first competitor did one lap, that athlete tagged his/her team mate and the next competitor went off. It was a 1:2:3:2:1 formation for the men, while the 4 aside girl’s teams (there were no Sportsworld girls in action) had a 1:2:2:1 formation. Colin, who did a bike session that morning in preparation for triathlons, made a rare short excursion over a mile. Packie ran leg 4.

Leg 1 Colin Bolger 4:57

Leg 4 Packie Enright 11:04

The best mile of the day was a blistering Patrick Linden from Queen’s in Belfast who ran 4:03. Surely he’ll be Ireland’s next sub 4 minute man. Eight men ran under 4:30. UL’s Michael Mulhare ran the quickest 2 mile time with 9:08, up there with college mate Liam Reale who ran 9:09. Fifteen people broke 10 mins. The quickest 3 mile time of the day went to DCU’s Breandan O Neill in 14:21, with 10 men running under 15:30.
Well done to all involved.

Full results.

Report By
Packie Enright

5 Mile Classic

Mick and Tony's arms have been twisted and the 26th Sportsworld Classic 5 mile is going ahead again in 2010. There is more and more competition between clubs to hold race events so this year we are getting a race committee together to work with Mick and Tony to increase the numbers doing the race and ensure The Classic is as popular as ever with clubs and fun runners. We are looking for around 5 individuals to step forward to be on the race committee and take some of the responsbility of getting parts of the race organisation done (Unpaid and unthanked job). Secondly we are looking for all club members to put forward their suggestions on any improvements that can be made to the race or if there was something in a Meet & Train race they did, IMRA race, BHAA race that made the race special or bearable we need to know. Also we have 200 club members in the club including sales people, solicitors, engineers, accountants who we need to take advantage of. So if you have contacts in companies who might be able to give free stuff or sponsorship, if your used to cold calling companies or selling the idea of sponsoring the race, if you work in a large company where one or two race posters could attract a large number of runners, or maybe you know a friend of a friends hair dresser who knows someone famous who could run the race to raise the race profile, Brian Cowen or Pat(Enda?) Kenny might not be welcome. There is a comment section below or just talk to Michael Cunningham or Paul O'Connell at the club if volunteering or giving ideas and suggestions.

Being modest as ever, the club committee has asked Michael Cunningham to be the Race Director for the 2010 Classic. The club christmas party will be held on saturday 12th of December, so keep the date free, details will follow soon. P O'C.

Meet and Train Lucan

Meet & Train 09/10

The Meet and Train Cross Country Series kicked off on Sunday, Nov 8th in Lucan with a record turn out of 144 runners, which also included a record 8 teams entered from Sportsworld.

On the crisp and clear day the weather and the condition of the course were a pleasent surprise given the rains of the previous days. With Edel Madigan and Maraid O'Callaghan making the front running the Red & White figured prominently throughout the two mile event,in the end Sportsworld would take 5 of the top 10 places. Edel Madigan (1st) and Maraid O'Callaghan (2nd) both showed fine form to claim the top two spots. Well done also to Breda Brown (4th) who showed a return to form having a strong run, Ciara Foster (5th) and Ann Higgins (10th) who rounded out the top ten. Congratulations to all that finished the race and special thanks to those who came along to cheer us on!

From my personal point of view it was a great experience. Being in the running club only since August it was my first cross country race so it was interesting to participate in the event which is so different to the road race! It was a great challenge and a chance to learn something new too. For example what 'spikes' are?. And that I definitely need a pair of these before the next Meet and Train which, hosted by Sportsworld, will take place in Tymon Park on 22nd Nov.

Full team & individual results available here.

Report By
Natalia Sokolowska

Map Series 8 - Sportsworlds The Waterworks - Inner loop

This is a popular and relativity flat run along side the picturesque bohernabreena reservoirs.

Option 1:
Start at Front Gate as marked on map(Free Parking Available), run to the back gate and return. (Approx 5 miles)

Option 2:
Start at Front Gate as marked on map(Free Parking Available), run out the Back Gate and do the back loop around the farms and return. (Approx 7 miles)

Option 3:
Start at Old Mill Pub (Free Parking available in Londis car park opposite Pub)- run through front gate, run out the back gate and do the back loop around the farms and return. (Approx 9 miles)


View Sportsworld The Waterworks - Inner loop in a larger map

International Cross Country

Last weekend was a big day for the club as Aoife Brady stuck on the green jersey, sprinted down the wing, cut in and scored the winning goal for Ireland against France! What?.... oh sorry. …wrong weekend. Actually as it transpires it was something even bigger again, all Aoife’s hard work and commitment was rewarded with her selection to represent Ireland at an International Cross Country meet in Belgium last weekend.

And if there is one thing the Belgians like more then good chocolate, it’s a good beer…..and after that it’s a good cross country race. The Irish aren’t ones to disappoint and so last weekend they got their wish as the international Lotto CrossCup descended on the multiplicity of Mol, near Antwerp in Northern Belgium. It’s a country with a rich history and like our very good selves back in the 9th century Mol had to deal with the Vikings coming to town. Feeling at home with such a close bond a team of 28 junior and senior Irish athletes flew in last Friday to take on the best of them. The area is in Belgium’s lowlands and surrounded by the famous “Molse Meren" (Lakes of Mol), a series of natural sand lakes with white sandy beaches, so Aoife and the team had to master new terrain on the tough sandy course.

So after testing the course, building a few sand castles and burying the sleeping coach, the real business of racing began on Sunday the 8th. Reports have indicated that the field went off hard for the women’s race, something to be expected at this level but not for fainting hearted in a 6400m race. The locals are still to this day all commenting in their supermarket queues on how comfortable Aoife looked on the opening laps. After an uncompromising ding dong duel the race win went to Belgium’s Ethiopian athlete Almensch Belete who just piped Irelands Fionnuala Britton in 22.03. But the remarkable Irish didn’t stop there as about 20 seconds later Deirdre Byrne took 3rd and Linda Byrne settled 5th spot. To the roars and delight of the crowd Aoife finished strongly by easily out sprinting Belgian Vanja Cnops by six seconds to take 31st on the crisp sunny winter’s afternoon. The women’s junior race win was picked up by Irelands Sara Louise Treacy whilst in the men’s senior Michael Clohisey picked up 12th spot and David Flynn 6th in the junior men.

So again a big congratulation’s to Aoife from everyone at the club on a great international performance and year so far!

Report By
Eoin O’Brien

Map Series 7 - Sportsworlds The Waterworks - Outer Loop

A hilly 10 miler training run all on roads around the Bohernabreena reservoirs from the Old Mill Pub, Tallaght. Free Parking available in Londis car park opposite The Old Mill Pub.

This is also a traditional St. Stephans Day morning run...yes its the truth!

8 Mile Option - Park at front gate (Free Parking Available) as marked on map. Run around outside loop as mapped but upon reaching the church take a left and return to front gate car park instead of continuing onto the Old Mill Pub.


View Sportsworld The Waterworks - 10 mile Outer Loop in a larger map

Leinster Intermediate Cross Country 2009

Sunday 8th November saw the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country hosted by Tullamore Harriers in Tullamore, County Offaly.

Sportsworld were represented in the men’s race. Some of us were led to believe that we were running an 8km race, but we were taken back when we reached the field to be informed it was 10km made up of 5 laps. Hoping that underfoot conditions might be ok, we weren’t long finding out that the course was flooded in one corner and the rest was the near resemblance of a field vacated after the national ploughing championships with 3 hills to tackle 5 times thrown in to make it more enjoyable.

The race took off at a steady pace led by eventual winner Tom Hogan of Slaney Olympic. Sportsworld were led out by the excellent Micheal Cunningham, Paul Duffy and Ronan Merrick, followed closely by Mark Dunne, Paul Mitchell and Liam Mc Fadden.

Lap one was the greatest test for all, seeing was it safer to take a 30 metre detour to avoid the small lake in the bottom corner of the course or dive straight in and hope to make it out the other side with spikes still on. Gladly we all took the dive and made it trough. After that it was a case of settling in and trying to make moves on the leader board.

Sportsworld were unlucky not to come away with a team bronze medal for all their hard effort eventually finishing 4th placed team.

Overall Results
1 Tom Hogan 34.20 (Slaney Olympic)
18 Michael Cunningham 38.19
24 Paul Duffy 38.50
27 Ronan Merrick 39.10
30 Paul Mitchell 40.15
32 Mark Dunne 40.33
40 Liam Mc Fadden 42.21

Report by
Liam Mc Fadden recovering from 'trench foot' has supplied this report.

Sportsworld Club Records

While we're sorting out the sizing issue. This link will open in a new page.

Eoin has done some great work gathering information on the best times for a number of events.

25 Years

This morning, Sunday, November 8th 2009 was a special morning for one Sportsworld Athlete. In fact, it was a very special morning indeed.

This morning Myles Nugent ran ‘The Waterworks’ 25 years to the day since he first discovered its hidden beauty.

As the sun came over The Sally Gap, Myles our Club Marathon record holder, complete with a nagging injury, could not resist a celebration run.
The sun shone brightly and warm winter clothes fast became too much.
The wind dropped and the silence paid a respectful guard to this man of many achievements.

This time we were the audience and Myles The Mentor. Stories of heroic runs were remembered in graphic detail.
The run got going and even the cows stared on.

Hill 1 and it slipped softly by. We were listening, distracted, and our jog was gentle.
The first lake reflected our pack and the true beauty of this Sunday run could not have been more evident.
We flew through the next few miles and back to where it all began.

At the car park the symbolism of handshakes and congratulations were not lost.
25 years, recessions, careers, struggles, highs and lows. 25 years of waterworks running reminded us of the one constant ‘thing’
Our running, our friends and our weekly training village.
Always there, always patient, never changing.
It’s just us humans who do the opposite.

To Avoca for a lazy Sunday morning.
We talked about Myles and guess who walked in?
A family Christening would not deter a brief half hour to complete his anniversary day.
Immaculate with shoes as polished as the lakes, Myles engaged us all.

He had to leave early but we cherished his time today.
As he left he turned to us all

“I hope we are still running in another 25 years”

We do too and if we can’t, we can still have coffee, still walk and still enjoy the precious gift of the company of friends and our 25 year Marathon Man too.

By Conor kenny

Map Series 6 - Sportsworlds Phoenix Park Loop

Sportsworlds weekend 10 Mile Phoenix Park Loop. Free Parking and meeting point is at the Civil Service Car Park. There is a wide variety in the paces that people run, and quicker ones add a couple of miles on at the end. Once every one is back, coffee and scones are devoured.

(Approaching from City Centre - Enter Park, go straight through first roundabout and the Civil Service Car Park is the first left, opposite Dublin Zoos Entrance)


View Sportsworld 10 Mile Phoenix Park Loop in a larger map

Map Series 5 - Sportsworlds Ballyboden Lap

This is an approx 5 mile run used during training nights as a pace run. Starting at the top of Fortfield Road and finishing at the clubhouse.


View Sportsworld Training - The Ballyboden Lap in a larger map

Meet and Train Teams 2009/2010

Apologies for any spelling mistakes. If your name is not on the list and you want to be please contact Paddy or Emily. Best of luck in the races.

Leinster Novice Cross Country

Adamstown county Wexford was the location for this years Leinster Novice on October 25th. A flat dry course made the job ahead look easy but a strong head wind meant it was slower going than in Dublin two weeks earlier.

Some great individual performances. Paul Duffy coming in 18th getting the first cross country mens medal of the season on the Dublin team. Barbara Coming in with ten minutes to spare to complete the women's team and Helen finishing an incredible 4th after a sprint finish.

Some great support around the course from the Brady's, runners and Emily

With the marathon over and the senior and intermediates coming up in the next few weeks, lets hope we can get some experienced cross country runners back in the fold.

The full results are below

Novice Women (Club 5th)

17 Mairead O Callaghan Sportsworld Dublin 11.59
18 Susan McDonnell Sportsworld Dublin 12.00
20 Louise Nolan Sportsworld Dublin 12.07
60 Barbara McEntyre Sportsworld Dublin 14.51

Novice Men (Club 7th)

18 Paul Duffy Sportsworld Dublin 21.08
26 Michael Cunningham Sportsworld Dublin 21.35
40 Garrett Murran Sportsworld Dublin 22.11
44 Paul Mitchel Sportsworld Dublin 22.23
52 Colm Kennedy Sportsworld Dublin 22.52

Masters Women (Club 1st)

4 Helen White W2 Sportsworld Dublin 11.23
12 Sandra Armstrong W1 Sportsworld Dublin 12.03
20 Breda Brown W3 Sportsworld Dublin 12.43

Report By
Gareth Murran

Map Series 4 - Sportsworlds Rathfarnham Loop

Approx 2.5 mile loop around perimeter of Bushy Park used for pace runs.


View Sportsworld Training - The Rathfarnham Loop in a larger map

Dublin Senior & Junior Cross Country

County Cross Country Championships 1/11/09

While most of us were recovering from Trick or Treating our Junior and Senior Men and Women were preparing for the County Championships. To start of the morning most of us woke to the sound of none stop rain and gusts of wind which created a lovely mud bath and tough running conditions in St Annes Park Raheny.

First off we had Junior Men. Sean ran a very steady race to finish in 23rd Place overall in a time of 23.59. Well Done Sean.

Next we had the Senior Women

First of all I would like to welcome a new member to the club Caitriona Jennings and to welcome her on the Senior Women Team. Caitriona led the girls team for most of the race. On the last lap all the girls ran together, showing great team spirit. At 600m to go Aoife made a break to catch our leading girl Caitriona, jean in turn followed. Our girls finished first by Aoife Brady in 8th place time of 24.13, Jean Wilson (showing great fitness after time off) in 10th place time of 24.16, Catriona in 11th place time of 24.21, Lucy Darcy (with a great run after the marathon last week) in 12th place time of 24.22, Crona Brady (still showing huge improvement) 14th place time 24.29 and Stephanie Bergin (in one of her first senior races) 22nd place time 26.32. For the first time in many many years the girls team brought gold medals home for the club in the county championship. Well Done Girls, you done us proud.

To finish of the day the Senior Men

As always this is a very very competitive race and our lads did very well.
First home for the club was Paul O'Connell (who showed great strenght and stamina after last weeks marathon) in 17th place time 34.20, Phil Kilgannon was next (who is coming back very strongly after injury) in 24th Place 35.14, Michael Cunningham (with huge improvement)47th place time 37.01, Paul Duffy in 54th place time 37.34, Ronan Merrick in 60th place time 38.54 and closely behind Garreth Murran in 62nd time 39.10. Well done lads.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Aoife Brady the best of luck next weekend in Belgium, she has been picked to run on the Irish Team. We are delighted for Aoife and know she has work so hard for this. She will do us very proud. Good luck x.

Report By
Orla Fleming

Waterford Half Marathon Day Trip

Half Marathon – Waterford – December 12th

Now that winter nights are upon us it’s time to set a training goal or two.
A few brave souls have already committed to the Waterford Half Marathon on Saturday, December 12th. It’s an out and back course and you can get full details by clicking here.
The entry fee is €20 (Online entry).

We have booked a 14 seat mini bus which has 6 seats left. It’s a day trip departing Bushy (approx) 7:00am returning to Dublin (with a dining stop off) at around 6:00pm. The European Cross Country is in Santry the next day.

The mini bus fee is €20 per head return.
It’s on a first come first served basis.
If we need a second bus, no problem.

To reserve your bus pass – please contact Sean O’Byrne or myself.
Sean 087-266 1606 or Conor 087-662 2801

Conor Kenny