With Emily collecting our numbers in the log cabin, we realised that the master’s women’s race was off in a half an hour, so quick action had to be taken. It was extremely competitive, with 100 girls crossing the finishing line within 5 minutes of each other, so averaging out at a woman every 3 seconds.

Both Lucy (3rd in her age category) and Helen finished in the top 10 overall, and we got a decent display from all of our women. Judith narrowly missed out on an age category medal by less than 10 seconds. The best news was that we came away with team silver with Lucy, Helen, Aideen & Sandra scoring. Helen White helped Dublin to a silver medal.

The team contest was won comfortably by a North Belfast Harriers side that are easily capable of medalling at senior level, indeed they were national senior champions in 2007 albeit with a stronger team on that occasion. They had all team members running in the top twenty five.

While the intermediates was a race for younger (and in some cases faster) girls, it was understandably not as competitive or packed as the masters race that preceded it. Both races were held on the same length of course. The team comprised mainly of October’s Dublin novice winning team, with welcome additions Stephanie and beginner Aoife Lynch. We came away with team bronze medals and were led home by a brilliant Louise. Well done girls.

The master’s men’s field was equally as competitive and condensed as the master’s women’s race was, as the 200 runners completed the course within 9 minutes of each other. It was won by a terrific Peter Matthews who despite being well ahead kept huffing and puffing as he wanted a good workout ahead of the National Inter Clubs XC on Sunday week. There was no joy for us here, but it was great to have a men’s team running in the national master’s; something that we usually don’t get. Well done to Ed, Paul Mitchell, Willers, Seán and Killian for giving up their Sunday and travelling down with us.

The final race of the day was the intermediate men. Their was no joy here either for our men, however it was still a beneficial race that will serve the men’s team well for the Inter Clubs XC on Sunday week. It was won by DSD’s Breandán O Neill. Breandán is on scholarship at DCU, and was bronze medallist in last week’s intervarsities indoors 3000m in 8:34.05. The team title was won by City of Derry, who are also the current National Novice and National Half Marathon champions, and for the record they have Ireland’s current fastest man too in Jason Smyth.

It was a cold but at least dry day when Michael, Emily & Packie collected me in Swords for the long drive up north to Coleraine for this year’s National Novice XC. The last race of the year promised to be run in more favourable conditions than the Dublin Intermediate the previous week and hopefully Clann Lir would be absent from the course today.

We got up to Coleraine in plenty of time and managed to find a pool table in the Students Union, which kept us occupied for a while. Paul Duffy continued his fine run of form on the pool table and when he got bored beating everyone, Packie took a turn giving us all a pool lesson.

The team assembled, we made our way to the course to catch young Sean Wall (Waller) in action in the Under 19′s race. Waller had a great race and worked his way through a very competitive field. It was a tough race for him aswell as the U19′s had to run 6k, same as the novice.

Next up was the girls (Stephanie, Lorna, Ruth, Susan and Helen) over 3k. Lorna Quinn (19th) came through very strongly and continued to show her fine running form. Ruth(27th) and Stephanie(28th) were next in, only a hare’s fart seperating them. Next up was Susan (45th) with Helen(56th) the final scorer. No medals today with fifth spot team place but Rathfarnam were seventh, so every silver cloud and all that…

Next up was the lads. There had been some controversy surrounding the start of a lot of the junior races and our own start wasn’t the most clinical. No chutes and little warning but that’s another day’s argument. 140 novice men went off like the hammers of hell straight into a bottleneck. If you don’t know cross-country, this is what it’s all about. Pushing and jostling are part of the game. Ahead of me I could see Liam and Colm in the middle of the melée and further ahead Michael and Paul.

When one lad got pushed off the course and was running outside the barrier, he decided to leap it, straight into Michael Cunningham’s path. Michael informed me later he nearly tripped the guy up when his spikes connected with him. It’s the quiet ones you watch out for…

The race was a bit crazy for the first lap as you fought for space around the wood at the back and people went through any space they could find. Leading the charge home for the club was Paul Duffy (77th), followed by Michael (81st), myself (93rd), Packie (99th – who fought the whole way, fair dues to ya Pack!), Colm (108th) and Liam (122nd).

The business end of things done there was only one thing on all our minds – refreshments. They actually had showers at this race ( and the water was hot!!) so the drive home wasn’t the usual mud-caked ordeal. Although there was an ordeal of other sorts when the hunger pangs hit half way between Coleraine and Newry. I was starting to know what they felt like in that movie Alive, when we found Kinder eggs in Michael’s car which he (wisely) decided to share. After a well-earned meal in the Carrickdale, we were on our way. Well done all. Next up Leinster Senior.

For results click here and racepix365 gallery here.

Report by
Ronan Merrick

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

At the weekend 8 Sportsworld members made the trek to Ballybofey, Co Donegal for the National Half Marathon and returned with one medal. Leaving on Saturday lunch time, we opted to use Letterkenny as a holding base and arrived there before 17.00. We rented 2 newly built celtic tiger style houses in the town centre in what proved to be much better, cheaper and comfortable than B&B’s or hotels as we had our own space. After receiving the keys from the landlady (to whom we assured that we weren’t a stag party, much the opposite in fact), one of the first things to be done was to get some shopping for food and supplies so we strolled down town. In the local mall we came across a Super Valu that was there 2 years ago but had somehow been replaced, and a rival sports chain store called Sports World; showing that there are alternatives to Ireland’s best sports shop. Then when we found a Dunnes Stores, there was much debate and disagreement as to what we should buy for the houses and what would be a sinful waste of money from the kitty we’d all chipped into. After unpacking we went downtown for dinner and to see the boys in green score a very lucky world cup qualifier win over Cyprus.

On Sunday morning we drove to a drizzly & dreary Ballybofey (the home of one of Ireland’s all time greatest distance running clubs Finn Valley AC), and after a warm up jog on their cinder track we jogged to the start line and away we went. The race consisted of predominantly northern club runners and people from the north west, however a fair share of people came from Dublin and from much further afield. Although the course contained a few hills here & there, it was a fair one with fresh tarmac and was well stewarded and organised.

Leading us home was a magnificent Paul O Connell who despite the difficult conditions came home in 70:58 mins and a place tenth. Our performance of the day was given by a magnificent Paul Duffy who finished in the top 25 and far beyond what anyone would have expected of him. The scoring trio for our senior mens team was completed by Ed who put in a fine display and ended up only 15 seconds shy of an M40 bronze.

Next down the list were Sligo’s finest export since Mary Cullen – Trevor; and Mikey, meaning that we’d 3 lads within 30 seconds of each other. The latter ran a marvellous pb, while the former was hoping for a little better but was stiff and tired from having spent the previous day gardening in the north west when not used to manual labour. Packie started reasonably well going through 5m in 29:52 and 10m in 61:27 but struggled with hip trouble and was happy to finish it. Lucy put in a stunning performance to win the F40 category and finished 4th female overall. The red & white turnout was completed by Liam McFadden just outside the hour and a half. From one of Ireland’s most northerly peninsulas, the former gaelic footballer reached 10m in a decent 64 mins but like Packie struggled after that. Liam used his local knowledge and contacts to make the weekend much easier on all of us so we are very grateful for this in the club.

Our only team entered (senior mens) finished a decent 5th out of 8 in 222 mins. Interestingly our senior men in 2007 (Eanna, Phil & Packie) ran the same time on the same course which was good enough for team silver, indicating a more competitive race this year and a rise in the standards of road running, despite being told the opposite by so called experts from the past.

At the sharp ends of the field, it ended up an all Belfast contest and the pair was together for much of the race. The senior men’s race was won by former national 10,000m champion Joe McAllister in a marvellous 65:51, beating the many times national inter club and inter counties XC champion Gary Murray. The latter (Donegal man) used to compete for the host club but in his debut half marathon found the distance a little too long and lost by 45 seconds. Clonliffe’s senior men were unfortunate to be denied a team silver because their 3rd scorer forgot his club singlet (now let that be a lesson to any of us!), and so were disqualified from the team competition. Strangely however the offending athlete was given his earned individual M35 bronze medal when surely the same rules should have applied again.

The magnificent Catriona Jennings made a worthwhile journey from our neighbouring club Rathfarnham WSAF to take the ladies title in 79:12. Catherine Conway (a beginner from Mayo AC) was second in 80:31 but is definitely going to be a name for the future.

On a negative note it was disappointing that we couldn’t field a senior girls team given that we are traditionally known as a girls club and that so many train with us. National senior medals could have been won here (for girls who are already out of novice & intermediate) much easier than at the senior cross country events. Also it must have been hard on Lucy being the only girl on the trip away.

Having a few drinks in the clubhouse during the medal presentation we witnessed the Kilkenny hurlers win 4 in a row, and we stopped in Monaghan for dinner that evening. We would like to say many thanks to Liam, Mikey & Trevor for supplying the motor power and our club coach Emily for fuelling it. It was a moderately successful but thoroughly enjoyable team bonding weekend away.

Full Results

Race report by
Packie

Aoifa Brady, a name to watch out for in the not to distant future. 1 of only 2 representative from Sportsworld to race in these prestiege championships. Saturday evening, 4:25pm National 5k on next, Aoife takes her place on that start line,she looks great,like she belongs. Bang, there goes the gun & there goes the girls,12.5 gruelling laps with a stronge enough wind in your face every time that home straight was hit.

Linda Byrne & Rosmary Ryan were gone from the gun,it was clear from the start it was a 2 horse race between them, how-ever the race for bronze was there for who-ever was hungry enough to go for it. Aoife ran a very sensible race, she knew what she had to do. Staying tucked in the middle of the pack until it was time to go. 10.5 laps gone, 2laps left, 3rd place still up for grabs, just like changing gears in your car,Aoife change her gear fron 3rd to 4th,a gap was opened immediately,600mts still to race & off she goes,from 4th to 5th gear,that was it there was no catching her now. The sound of the bell…1 more lap,arms in full swing,legs in full stride,the field was broken.Aoife went on to clain a very fine National bronze medal in an excellent time of 17mins 38 behind 1st place Linda & 2nd place Rosemary.

Sunday afternoon, 4:05pm, not as windy today, but still a wind none the less, time for Aoife to take her place on the track once again,this time accompanied by her sister & club/team-mate Crona. The 2 girls on the line side by side with some top athletes. The’re off for a very fast 3 & 3/4 laps on a sunny & breezy afternoon of day 2. Although battle ensued between the 1st 3 athletes Deidre Byrne,Roisin McGettigan & Kelly Mc Niece, Aoife hung in for a very good 4th place fininsh. Crona ran with great confidence to notch up a season’s best & a peronal best time of 4min 46 on her debut to this national senior event. Now she has a taste of what its like she could be a name & face to watch for next season.

Well done both of you on very fine performances.

Race Report By
Lucy Darcy

Photos By
Gareth Murran

Crona Brady and Jean Wilson are both entered for the womens 1500m. Both athletes are competing at the championships for the first time. Jean, the National Novice cross country champion from 2006 has raced well over the summer setting pbs at both 3k and 800m (2.18). This is Jeans first year back competing after a year off. Crona, who only turned to distance running 18 months ago has been bettering her pbs at all distances this summer, both on the track and the road. She most recently ran 2.18 for the 800m at the last Irish Milers club meet, with a fine 10.28 for 3k the week before. Not bad for a former triple jumper!

Paul Duffy will compete in the 1500m with heats scheduled for saturday afternoon. Paul has been in terrific form this year setting pbs at all distances most notably at the Dunsahughlin 10K where he ran a huge pb of 34.11. He also picked up a team gold medal at the Inter clubs cross country in February and won the 3000m at the fourth graded meet in Irishtown in early June.

The competition begins at 11.30am tomorrow morning with the women’s walk featuring Olympian Olive Loughnane.

We wish all our athletes the best of luck. And if you have no plans for the bank holiday weekend come out and watch some quality competition!

Full timetable
Report By
Aoife Brady

Well done to club members to took part in todays race in navan. It was a cool afternoon in navan, with 2 circuits of a challenging 5km lap. A strong breeze on sections of course made the going tough, and any broken PB’s represented a very good run. We had a full teams for both team races, with the ladies team taking a silver medal and the mens team finishing in 5th. There was some great support on the day from emily, sean, miles, steven, rachel and many others.

28 110 Idilgannon Phil Sportsworld A.C. 33.23
31 111 O’Connell Paul Sportsworld A.C. 33.38
50 114 McEntee Ed Sportsworld A.C. 34.31
53 116 Sweeney Trevor Sportsworld A.C. 34.51
67 112 Duffy Paul Sportsworld A.C. 35.34
75 117 Murran Garrett Sportsworld A.C. 35.52
86 118 Enright Packie Sportsworld A.C. 36.22
104 220 Brady Aoife Sportsworld A.C. 36.41
131 223 Darcy Lucy Sportsworld A.C. 37.47
154 225 White Helen Sportsworld A.C. 39.00
156 113 Spulski Jacub Sportsworld A.C. 39.14
159 221 Brady Crona Sportsworld A.C. 39.23
164 226 Finn Mary Sportsworld A.C. 39.39
226 227 Bergin Stephanie Sportsworld A.C. 42.48

Just trying to re-enforce which club we’re in by including the club column, in case you don’t know its Sportworld A.C..

The full results are available on the AAI Website. Photo’s from RacePix365.

Sportsworld Photos from RacePix365

Sunday the 19th April saw the exciting National Road Relays competition held again in Raheny. The weather was a scorching hot day, too hot for a marathon or half marathon but with two course records on the day it didn’t seem to affect the runners and was perfect for the spectators. Raheny may have had their A, B and C senior team but it was great to see Sportsworld with a full ladies and men senior and masters teams.

First up was the ladies masters team with Helen White rounding the last corner in first place giving Lucy Darcy doing the second 2 mile leg the perfect start. Both Rathfarmham and Raheny had a strong Masters team but Aideen Downs brought the team home to take third place comfortably.

Next we had the mens master team with new club member Trevor Sweeny taking the first leg in his first road relays. Trevor did brilliant, running with the lead pack for the entire lap. Then over to Ed McEntee who like Lucy is more used to running in the Senior team. Ed did a great 2 mile leg passing over to Joe Byrne for the final one mile leg. The extra training on Saturdays on the polo grounds paid off for Joe doing a brilliant final leg and deserves to be given a new singlet for his run(only the runners have to be over 35 Joe)

Then we had the Ladies senior race which unfortunately was without Jean but thankfully Eimear Martin was fit and ready to run. Crona Brady took the first leg and showed what an improvement she has made since last year taking a deserved spot on the senior A team. Then Aoife took the second 2 mile leg chasing down the DSD team who have continued on from their brilliant cross country season. Eimear then took the final leg to bring the girls home in 4th. There was only 16 seconds between 3rd place and 9th with DSD getting a course record. However with the improving form of the Sportsworld senior team the DSD girls won’t be as confident of their medals next year.

Then after watching all the other runners warm up, annihilate themselves on the course and then enjoy the nice cool down lap in the sun it was finally the mens senior teams turn. Paul Duffy lead off taking the first 2 mile leg, with most of the teams putting their best runners on the first leg Paul had to contend with some of the best runners in the country on his first road relay. Next was myself who’s claim to fame now is that I beat Lorraine Manning by 1 second(now to beat some of the guys). Phil took the 3 mile leg, this year we had lot of competition for places on the team but there is not many if any in Sportsworld who could of done the gruelling 3 mile leg, Phil did a brilliant run matching his time from last year. The final 2 mile leg fell to Ronan who some how manages to work, go to college, train and learn Polish brought the team home to end a very exciting mens relay which saw Raheny return to form taking first place and doing it in style by getting a course record.

As usual the teams where helped along with great support from club members. There was 3 new relay runners this year who have bench marks to work off for next year, Packie is showing a return to form and hopefully next year will take his usual place on the senior team but there will be competition with new club member Gareth showing great speed. There is even rumours of Eanna out training. So hopefully next year the ladies masters team won’t be the only ones coming home with medals.

Report by Michael Cunningham

Senior Men – 12km
40th Kilgannon, Phil 42.51
47th O’Connell, Paul 43.46
61st Mc Entee, Ed 45.35
67th Duffy, Paul 46.24
68th Merrick, Ronan 46.40
76th Cunningham, Michael 48.21

The Mens Team got bronze medals in grade B!

Senior Women – 8km
7th Brady, Aoife 31.47
15th Darcy, Lucy 32.48
22nd Wilson, Jean 33.33
36th Madigan, Adel 35.55
37th Bergin, Stephanie 36.14

The Ladies Team finished 4th in the Grade A group!

Junior Men – 8km
42nd Wall, Sean 31.07

Full Results: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=5843

Meet & Train – Final Winter League Race
Irishtown, 1st March, 2009

4th 14.06 Orlagh Jordan
5th 14:10 Louise Bruton
9th 14.19 Orlagh Fleming
10th 14.23 Catherine O’Neill
11th 14.28 Ann Higgins
17th 14:50 Susan McDonnell
18th 13:26 Irene O’Connor
20th 15:00 Breda Browne
21st 15.04 Eileen Dalton
27th 15.35 Ann Sweeney
31st 15.46 Mary Dawson
34th 15:50 Tara Quirke
36th 16.08 Aileen Melody
41st 16.26 Kim Masuda
42nd 16:31 Claire Harrington
50th 17.56 Laurence Delair
55th 18.58 Petrina Mulroe
61st 21.35 Yvonne Callis

Overall Team Results:
DIAMOND
1st Sportsworld A
4th Sportsworld B
GOLD
1st Sportsworld C
SILVER
1st Sportsworld D
4th Sportsworld F

Full Details: http://www.womensmeetandtrain.blogspot.com/

IMRA Trooperstown
28th February, 2009

15th Paul Mitchell 48:08
27th Jakub Splawski 50.42
28th James Shanahan 50.54
34th Colm Kennedy 52.23
42nd William Greensmyth 53.51
43rd Eoin O’Brien 53.53
44th Liam Mcfadden 54.06
90th John Fitzgerald 63.57
118th Charlie O’Connell 78.37

Full Results: http://www.imra.ie/events/view/tab/results/id/582/

Within the last 2 weeks Aoife Brady has proved to be a fantastic all-round athlete. First of on 8th February 2009. We had the Irish Indoor championships. Aoife ran in the 1500m but unfortunately just missed out on the medals and finish in fourth place. The following day Aoife ran the 3,000m and collected a Bronze medal. This is Sportsworld first indoor track medal and we are very proud of Aoife. The following week we all headed over to Tymon Park for the Cross County Championships. Aoife continued to put in a brilliant preformance when running the Intermediate 4,000m. Aoife took an early lead, she held the lead and finish very stongly winning herself a gold medal for individual section. Well Done Aoife.

Also in the Indoors we had Crona Brady who ran in the 800m and finish in a great time of 2.25.42. Well done Crona. Crona has improved greatly this year and seems to be following in her sister footsteps. So watch out for this name ha.

Sportsworld had a fantastic day out in Tymon park bringing medals home left right and centre. Check out the results below.

Woodies DIY Cross County Championships 15/02/09

Master Men 7,000m
Charlie O’Connell had a great run and finished in at time of 41.57.

Intermediate Men
Ed McEntee 44th place time of 36.03,Ronan Merrick 47th 36.06,Paul Duffy 57th place time 36.53,Michael Cunningham 72th place time 37.40, Kieran Lynch 87th place time of 38.59, Paul Mitchell place 97th time of 40.33. This race was highly competitive with the winner Sean Hehir Rathfarnham in a time of 32.14.

Master Women 4,000m
Lucy Darcy 7th place time of 15.27, Rachel Morgan place 9th time of 15.40, Helen White place 25th time 16.33, Kathleen Horgan (o/w o’Callaghan) place 32nd time 16.58, Aideen Downes (welcome back) place 43th time 17.24, Breda Browne place 70th time 19.04, Anna Delaney place 76 time 19.48, Kim Musada place 85th time of 20.49. Sportsworld won a gold medal in team section. Well done to Lucy who scored on the Meath team who won Bronze medal.

Intermediate Women 4,000m
Aoife Brady place 1st time 15.08, Crona Brady (huge improvement this year) place 11th time 16.18, Mary Finn place 15th time 16.21, Edel Madigan place 19th time 16.38, Stephanie Bergin place 20th time 16.39 (well done very close for medaling) Lorna Quinn place 23rd time 16.49, Louise Bruton place 50th time 16.49, Orla Jordan place 51th time 18.32, Orlagh Fleming place 54th time 19.13. Sportsworld won gold over all in the team section. Edel and Mary also were on the Dublin team and Dublin won gold so well done girls.

Well done to all, great running. Keep up all the hard training.