Please forward any relevant information for this website to this address: pon1973@eircom.net
Updated 2nd July 08
Paralympic Games, World Junior Championships, Schools International.
It has been a busy few days as team have been selected for the Paralympics in Beijing, the World Juniors in Bydgoszcz, Poland and the Schools International in Bedford. Congratulations to all the athletes from the Province who have made the different teams and hopefully you will all have a terrific experience in whatever event you have been selected for.
Paralymic Games: Beijing 6th-18th September - Jason Smyth (City of Derry) T13 100 & 200m, Michael Mc Killop (St Malachys) T37 800m
World Junior Championships: Bydgoszcz 8th-13th July - Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) 1500m, Hannah Lewis (North Down) 4 x 100m Relay, Curtis Woods (Lagan Valley) & Jason Harvey (Lagan Valley).
Schools
International: Bedford 19th July - Joanna Mills (Ballyclare
High) 300m, Long Jump & 4 x 300m Relay, Christine McMahon (Belfast Royal
Academy) 800m & 4 x 300m Relay, Sasha Hooks (Belfast Royal Academy) 800m, Ciara
Mageean (Assumption Ballynahinch) 1500m, Eimear Black Dominican Belfast 3000m,
Aimee McNeilly (Regent House) 80m Hurdles Lucy Dugan (Belfast Royal Academy)
Pole Vault, Gabrielle McNally (Craigavon SHS) Hammer Gerard Maguire (Erne
Integrated School) 100m & 4 x 100m Relay, Curtis Woods (Downshire School) 200m,
400m & 4 x 100m Relay,
Adam Ingram (Hazelwood Integrated School) 800m & 4 x 400m Relay, Ciaran Dolan
(St Michael’s Enniskillen) Long Jump & Triple Jump,
Andrew Doyle (Maghera High School) Shot Putt, Garreth Irvine (Bangor Grammar)
Discus, Matthew Ramsey (Regent House) Javelin
Management: Heather Martin & Alan
Kirk
Woodie's DIYAAI Juvenile
Track & Field Championships
Antrim Forum
5/6 July
This weekend see's these Championships come North for the very first time. There is a large programme of events to get through on both day's with action on Saturday and Sunday starting at 10.00am. Check in for events open at 9am. A full programme and regulations can be found in the link below. A Preview of the event can be seen here later in the week.
AAI Woodies Junior & U23 Championships
Tullamore
29th June
Kit Kat Tailteann Schools Inter Provincial
Morton Stadium, Santry
29th June
Ulster & Northern Ireland U14-U20
Track & Field Championships
Antrim Forum
7th & 8th June
Ulster & Northern Ireland U10-U13
Track & Field Championships
Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar
Sunday 1st June
Kit Kat Irish Schools
Tullamore
Saturday 31st May
WOODIES AAI JUVENILE INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
NENAGH
5th/6th APRIL
World Cross Country & Schools International
Scotland is the place to be this weekend as the Schools International takes place in Perth on Saturday before the centre piece in the Cross Country Calendar, the World Cross Country take place in Edinburgh on Sunday. Ulster is represented on the Irish Team in the World Cross by Ian Ward of Finn Valley in the Junior Mens race, while Suzanne Mc Cormick of Lagan Valley will go in the Senior Womens race. A large number of Ulster athletes will run for Ireland in the Junior and Intermediate races at the Schools International on Saturday. Good luck to all the athletes over the weekend, and we will bring u results and photos from both venues as so as we have them.
Ulster & Northern Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Meadowbank Indoor Arena, Magherafelt
Saturday 15th March
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Norwich Union Ulster Sportshall Finals at the Valley Leisure Centre
Fermanagh Boys Under 13 and Under 15 and Donegal Girls Under 13 and Under 15 were impressive team winners when the Ulster Sportshall finals were held at the Valley Leisure Centre, Belfast on Tuesday last. Following qualification heats in Larne and Enniskillen, during early February, six teams from various counties/regions in the province battled it out over two hours of exciting and very well organised programme of team competition.
All four teams will represent the province in the UK finals on the 12th April at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
Many of the athletes on view compete in Athletics Northern Ireland/Ulster club and school competition. The overall Under 15 Boys Award winner Ciaran Dolan, Fermanagh, had bests of 8.36m in the Standing Triple Jump, and 12.80m in the Shot Putt while Under 15 Girls Award winner Aoife O’Connor, Donegal, was a victor in the Standing Long Jump,2.34metres and in the 2 Lap sprint
Sportshall founder, George Bunner, was in attendance and was most impressed with the standard of competition. He complimented the local Ulster Sportshall committee led by Barry Holmes on their outstanding work in promoting and organising an ideal introduction to athletics activity. He indicated that the vast majority of the G.B. International athletes we watch on TV e.g. Mark Louis Francis, Kelly Sutherton and indeed local International Ulster/Northern Ireland athletes, Anna Boyle and Mary McLoone all experienced and were part of successful Sport shall Athletics teams.
Results
Girls Under 15
1 Donegal 672pts, 2 Belfast East 633pts, 3 Derry City 536pts, 4 Antrim 456pts, 5 Co. Londonderry 454pts, 6 Down 365pts
Boys Under 15
1 Fermanagh 680pts, 2 Donegal 622pts, 3 Antrim 555pts, 4 Belfast 466pts, 5 Down 422 pts, 6 Co. Londonderry 253pts
Girls Under 13
1 Donegal 681 pts, 2 Belfast East 585pts, 3 Fermanagh 566pts, 4 Down 491pts, 5 Co. Londonderry 451pts, 6 Antrim 342 pts
Boys Under 13
1 Fermanagh 706 pts, 2 Donegal 623pts, 3 Antrim 501pts, 4 Down 446pts
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KIT KAT IRISH SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY
DARTFIELD EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, LOUGHREA
SATURDAY 8TH MARCH
Very heavy overnight rain coupled with strong winds left it a pure test of strength and stamina for over 900 athletes as they faced the starter for the various race at these championships. Despite the difficult conditions the athletes served up some fine contests, with Ulster athletes once again well to the fore. In the first race of the day Katie Kirk of Sullivan Upper took the Junior Girls title ahead of Sophie Magee of Dominican College with Ballyclare High taking the team title. Ulster athletes and teams took a clean sweep of the medals in the Junior Boys, which seen the Monaghan Twins Andrew and Patrick finish ahead of Adam Ingram, and duly lead St Colmans, Newry to team Gold ahead of St Michaels Enniskillen and St Eunans Letterkenny. Next up were the Intermediate Girls where two of the countries up and coming middle distance star's were again amongst the medals as Dominician Colllege athlete Eimear Black continued her impressive form during the Cross Country season to take the title with Ciara Mageean of Assumption, Ballynahinch in third. Cian O Reilly of St Pat's Cavan and Niall Cullen St Michaels Enniskillen were the top finisher from the province in the Intermediate Boys race in 4th and 5th, while St Malachy's took the team title with two points to spare over Douglas CS, Cork. In the Senior Boys race run over 6.2km Ian Ward and Dan King had a great battle for third place behind Conor Murphy and Michael Mulhare with Ward just having the bit more left in the tank in the sprint for the line. King led St Eunan's to the Bronze medal in the team race just behind St Malachy's who took Silver.
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ULSTER SPORTSHALL ATHLETICS
The Ulster Final of Sports Hall Athletics will be held on Tuesday 26th of February in the Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey with the first events starting at 11.00am.
The following are the teams and individuals that will contest the Finals
Boys U13: Antrim, Belfast, Co. Derry, Down, Donegal, Fermanagh
Individuals: 2 Lap - Adam Mc Keever Derry City, HJ - Ryan Mc Parland Derry City,
4 Lap - Liam Mc Gillan West Tyrone, TJ - Liam Mc Gillan West Tyrone.
Girls U13: Antrim, Belfast East, Co. Derry, Down, Donegal, Fermanagh
Individuals: VJ - Maria Armstrong Tyrone
Boys U15: Antrim, Belfast, Co. Derry, Down, Donegal, Fermanagh
Girls U15: Antrim, Belfast East, Derry City, Down, Donegal, Co. Derry
Individual: Speed Bounce - Jane Maguire Fermanagh
KIT KAT ULSTER SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY
CITY OF BELFAST PLAYING FIELDS, MALLUSK
20TH FEBRUARY
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Ulster & Northern Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Jordanstown
Saturday 23rd February
Ulster & Northern Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Ulster/Athletics Northern Ireland Regional Squad
The young athletes of the Ulster-N.Ireland (North West and South Regional Squads) will meet this weekend Sat 16th and Sun 17th February at Shercock Athletics Club and at Templemore Sports Complex, Derry City.
Shercock AC extensive athletics facility will be used on Sat from 10.30 to 1pm while the North West Squad moves to Templemore's Tartan Track on Sunday 2 to 4pm.
The format at both venues will be similar to previous Regional Squad sessions with an event specific seventy five minutes practical, where athletes will work with an experienced coach. The session will conclude with a relevant presentation for the young athlete and coach.
Click on the link below for a comprehensive calendar of Coaching & Development Days
Coaching &Development Calendar
WOODIES JUVENILE B CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS & INTER COUNTY RELAYS
FINN VALLEY CENTRE, STRANORLAR
SUNDAY 3RD FEBRUARY
Phoenix Gas Ulster & Northern Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Odyssey Arena
26th/27th January 2008
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WOODIES DIY
SENIOR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Odyssey Arena
26th/27th January 2008
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ULSTER STAR AWARDS
BAYVIEW HOTEL, KILLYBEGS
SATURDAY 19TH JANUARY
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Maeve Kyle receives an OBE in
New Years
Honours
list
Congratulations
to Athletics Ireland, Ulster Council, Chairperson,
Maeve Kyle who was named on the New Year's
Honours list to receive
an OBE for services to athletics.
Killkenny native, Maeve,
represented Ireland in three Olympics-- 1956, 1960 and 1964. She made history in
1956 as part of a twelve person team that included athletes Ronnie Delaney and
Eamon Kinsella, in an era when it was not fashionable or acceptable for women to
participate in sport. Her successful competitive career saw her win numerous
International accolades including a 400m bronze medal at the European Indoor
Championships in Dortmund in 1966. She also was a world class Hockey player and
was capped for Ireland during three decades.
In 1955, with new husband Sean, she founded Ballymena Athletics Club – later to become Ballymena and Antrim. She still coaches and is actively involved at club and International level. She is the current chair of the Ulster Athletics Council, chair Coaching Northern Ireland and last year was honoured by the University of Ulster with a Doctorate in recognition of a lifetime of coaching, administration and competitive excellence.
Maeve was also recognised recently at the Waterford Crystal Athletics Ireland ceremony in Dublin where she received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Irish Senior Indoor Championships &
Ulster and Northern Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Sat 28th / Sun 29th January 2008
These Championships will take place at the Odyssey Arena over two days, and will once again provide the public with some truly World Class competition. The Irish Senior Championships which are been hosted here for the fifth time have once again received generous assistance from title sponsor Woodies DIY and funding partners Belfast City Council and Sport Northern Ireland.
Part of Provinces Juvenile Championships which are qualifiers for the AAI Juvenile Indoor Championships will also take place at the Odyssey with Phoenix Gas as the main sponsors.
Closing Date for entries is Friday 21st December
Closing date for entries for Senior Championships is Jan 9th.
The Celtic Nations Cross Country Match
Saturday 12 January 2008 –
U23Men
Paul Pollock, Aidan Mc Gowan, Conor Flanagan, Brendan Teer
U23 Women
Judy Graham, Sarah Magowan,Heather McLarnon
U20 Men
Andrew Gourley, Ian Ward, Noel Collins, Michael Mc Killop
U20 Women
Eimear Black, Anna
Rainey, Michelle
English,
U17 Boys
Cian O’Reilly, Adam Ingram, Ryan McDermott, Conor McQuaid
U17 Girls
Ciara Mageean, Joanne Mills, Catherine Mullan, Katie Kirk
Two Top Class Road Races install for Festive Period
As we are all recovering from the Christmas, there is to top class road races scheduled for St Stephens Day.
In Stranorlar, the second fastest woman ever over 5k Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya along with Irish Triathlon champion Gavin Noble have confirmed their participation in the 26th annual Finn Valley St. Stephens' Day event. Both these athletes have the Olympics in Beijing next summer firmly in their sights and with these star attractions it is hoped that the 500 athletes, walkers and family members that turned out in 2006 can be built upon this year to raise money for the nominated beneficiaries which are with Breast Cancer Checks and an Aids project in Yola, Nigeria. Check in at Valley Centre from 12 noon, enter on the day. Start time is 2pm. Everybody welcome.
At the foothills of the Sperrins some of the provinces top
athletes will battle it out to win the highly competitive Greencasle 5. Race organiser Oliver McCullagh has confirmed that top Irish miler Gareth Turnbull is a certain
starter for the 22nd running of this race.This time last year Turnbull heard
that he had been cleared of a doping charge and was subsequently awarded the
costs of his defence against the action brought by the Irish Sports Council.The
St. Malachy’s athlete won the race in 2005 when he turned in a masterclass of
distance running to come home a clear winner in a record 24 minutes 24
seconds.Generously the Loughborough graduate has offered to hand back to charity
the bonus of £250 offered by an anonymous sponsor if he breaks his own course
record. Also committed for the men’s race is last year’s winner Joe McAlister and
British Olympian James McIlroy from Larne.
McCullagh is also busy trying to boost the women’s field. Jill Shannon who took
the honours 12 months ago is still sidelined with injury. In her likely absence
an invitation has been sent to Maria McCambridge.
Married to Letterkenny man Gary Crossan, the Dubliner has been a top notch
international for more than a decade representing Ireland at World Championships
and Olympics.
Entries are now being accepted for the race. Further information is available on
www.greencastle5.com.
Woodies DIY Juvenile Unveven Age Groups and Novice Cross Country Championships
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Sunday 16th December
The long journey south was made by many athletes and families for theses championships. Held in near perfect conditions the mainly flat firm course at St Augustines College made for quick running. Once again the provinces athletes had their fair share of success with comprehensive individual victories coming the way of Clodagh O Reilly, Adam Ingram and Eimear Black with other notable top 3 finishes for Sarah Jane Flanagan, Kevin Loughran and Andrew Monaghan. Team-wise Lagan Valley made the long journey home with two sets of team gold from their Girls and Boys U15 Squads. Ulster took Gold in the GU13 & BU15 races while county teams and other provincial teams also picked up other medals which can be seen in the results summary below.
Girls U11 800m: Clodagh O Reilly (Annalee) 1st, Sarah Jane Flanagan (Clones) 3rd, Ulster 2nd
Girls U13 1000m: Donegal 3rd, Ulster 1st.
Boys U13 1200m: Kevin Loughran (Monaghan Phoenix) 3rd
Girls U15 1500m: Lagan Valley 1st, Antrim 2nd, Ulster 3rd.
Boys U15 2000m: Adam Ingram (Lagan Valley) 1st, Andrew Monaghan (Lagan Valley) 2nd,
Lagan Valley 1st, Letterkenny 2nd, St Malachy 3rd, Antrim 1st, Ulster 1st.
Girls U17 2000m: Eimear Black (Ballymena & Antrim) 1st.
Girls U19 3000m: Finn Valley 3rd, Donegal 3rd, Ulster 2nd.
Boys U19 6000m: St Malachys 3rd, Antrim 3rd, Ulster 2nd
European Cross Country
The provinces three representatives on the Irish team in Toro can all be happy with their performances.
In the Senior Mens Race where Martin Fagan had an excellent run to finish 7th, St Malachy's athletes Gary Muarry and Joe Mc Allister both ran well to finish 26th and 30th respectively, Muarry is just getting back into his running after a summer plagued with a back injury while Mc Allister who main exploits of late have came on the road racing scene showed that he has still a lot to offer over the country.
In the Junior Womens race Ballymena & Antrim athlete Eimear Black had a very solid performance in finishing 43rd in her first major championships.
Another Irish athlete with strong connections with the North West had an excellent run when finishing 9th in the Junior Mens race. David Mc Carthy a nephew of Declan Mc Carthy (City of Derry) & Richard Mc Carthy (Tir Chonnail) had been running well on the American Collegiate scene in the early winter months and carried the form as he crossed the Atlantic to compete in the Championships.
Innishowen's Crossan takes
Silver at Trail World Challenge
Ireland’s Helena Crossan finished a magnificent second in the inaugural Trail World Challenge in Huntsville National Park, Texas over the weekend. The 50-mile off-road running event, organised by the International Association of Ultrarunners, was held in stifling 30 C degree temperatures on a four-loop course. After a tough gruelling race Japan's Norimi Sakurai claimed victory with Crossan in 2nd and Great Britain’s Adele Salt in third place.
Helena is a former cross-country international, and finished 10th in the World 100km Championships in the Netherlands in September in an Irish record time of 7:52:45.
Irish ultra runners have been making remarkable progress on the international scene, particularly in adventure running, with the Irish men’s 100km team also ranked in the top eight in the world. Crossan’s medal represents another milestone in the continuing development of this sport.
COACH EDUCATION
The latest level one Coach Education course in the North West Region concluded on Sunday at the Abbey Voc. School, Donegal Town. Sixteen coaches from Sligo and Donegal availed of the opportunity to gain a Level 1 qualification and following a four day commitment 10/11th October in Sligo I.T and 8/9th Dec in Donegal successfully moved onto he coaching ladder
The final two days of the course was delivered by Conaught and North West R.D.O’s Paul McNamara and Eamon Harvey both who emphasised proper practice and detailed planning when delivering athletics programmes to the teenage athlete.
Eamon Harvey, at the conclusion of the course on Sunday evening congratulating and thanking the coaches and emphasised the important role they will play.
‘You have a vital and important role to play in the development of our sport going forward. You will introduce and coach athletics at grass roots level, you will have a vital input to the all round development of these athletes, you will spot new talent, encourage it and at times protect it against social, community and poor athletic practice. You will be the reason that athletes stay and develop in our sport’
He concluded by detailing the AAI coach education ladder which was developed as part of the association’s coaching strategy and how the pool of coaches was increasing in answer to the ever increasing new generation of athletic talent.
The following completed the course
Cindy McCarthy, Sligo AC, Anne McHugh, Sligo AC, Michael McKinney, Lifford AC, John Cannon Tir Conaill AC,Marie Rooney, Tir Conaill AC, Conal McIntyre, Sl Liag AC, Tom Thompson Finn Valley AC, Maeve Carr, Sl. Liag AC, John ODonnell, Lifford AC, Ciaran O’Leime, Sl Liag AC, Michael Casey, Sligo AC, Karl Doherty, Innishowen AC, Dermot Donovan, Sl Liag A.C.,Brian Kilgallon, Sligo AC, Paul Donovan, Sl Liag AC, Donal Lyons, St Marys, Sligo
Clubs receive Level One Packs
The following clubs received Level One equipment packs at the culmination of the Level 1 coaching course in Donegal Town on Sunday last Finn Valley, Sliabh Liag and Sligo.
Catherina McKiernan inducted into
Co. Cavan Athletics Hall of Fame
On Saturday 1st December, at the Second Co. Cavan Athletics Awards ceremony held at the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan, Irish Olympian, European Cross Country Champion, multiple World Cross Country Champion and Marathon Record Holder Catherina McKiernan became the second entrant to the Co. Cavan Athletics Hall of Fame when she was presented with the Breffni Award by main sponsor, Kieran O’Reilly of Kingscourt Brick.
In a national and international career spanning two decades, the Cornafean, Annalee and Cavan Athlete set new standards on both the national and international stage , winning five world cross country medal, European Cross Country Champion in 1994 and recording the fastest ever inaugural marathon in Berlin in ’97. Catherina went on to win both the London and Amsterdam Marathons, setting a new Irish Marathon Record in the process. Between 1992 & 1995, Catherina finished top of the Cross Country Grand Prix Order of Merit and in 1992 & 1996 represented Ireland in the Olympic Games in Barcelona and Atlanta.
• 1986 – First Adultt Ulster Title
• 1988 – Irish Schools Cross Country
• 1992 - IAAF World Cross Country Silver
• 1992 - Barcelona Olympics
• 1993 - IAAF World Cross Country Silver
• 1994 - IAAF World Cross Country Silver
• 1994 - European Cross Country Gold
• 1995 - IAAF World Cross Country Silver
• 1996 - IAAF World Cross Country Bronze
• 1996 - Atlanta Olympics
• 1997 - Berlin Marathon Winner – Record
• 1998 - London Marathon Winner
• 1998 - Amsterdam Marathon Winner
• National Marathon Record – 2hrs 22m 23s
• National Titles:
• 3000m (1990 / ’91 / ’92 / ’93)
• 5000m (1996)
• Cross Country (1990 / ’91 / 92)
• Irish Athlete of the Year
Catherina joins fellow international athlete Arlene Smith in the Hall of Fame
Outstanding Contribution to Athletics
Cavan Athletics honoured one of its greatest contributors to the sport on the same evening when Jim Cochrane, long time middle distance and cross-country athlete, was rewarded with the Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Athletics’ joining previous giants of the Cavan Athletics administration, Vinnie Rudden (Laragh AC) and John McDermott (Breffni AC). Renowned as a ‘bare-foot’ runner, the Drumgoon man competed in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and into the new millennium, gathering County, Provincial, National and International Titles as well as holding office at Club, County and Provincial level, and continues to train daily on Boyle Park in his native Drumgoon.
Co. Cavan Athletics Club of the Year
Annalee AC scooped the Co. Cavan Athletics Club of the year, edging out Innyvale AC, Balieboro AC and 2006 winners Shercock AC, with a tremendous season which witnessed the club winning the Webber Cup, the Moynagh Cup (Juvenile Track & Field Championships) and Kiernan Cup (Masters Track & Field) in the process. In addition, Evelyn O’Reilly, club coach and co-ordinator is also the Convenor of the Cavvan Schools Athletics programme, in itself growing from strength to strength.
Ballinarry National School are Jim Rice Cup winners
On the night, Farnham NS were presented with the award for best ‘Large School’ for athletics. In the keenly contested medium sized school category, Dernakesh NS and Crosserlough NS shared the honours and were presented with their awards.
In the ‘Small School’ category, Ballinarry NS scooped the award, and in addition were presented with the Jim Rice Cup for the best overall primary school performance in the 2007 Schools Championships, to retain the trophy and match Dernakesh as two times winner of this prestigious trophy.
The large gathering of over 350 athletes, coaches and dignitaries were addressed by Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Children, three times Olympian Dr Maeve Kyle, President of Ulster and NI Athletics, Mr Eamonn Harvey, Regional Athletics Development Officer and Mr Michael Heery, President of Athletics Ireland. The event was hosted by Patrick Moynagh, with key note address from the Chair of Cavan Athletics, Ms Carol Kiernan.
ULSTER DEVELOPMENT SQUADS
Shercock [Saturday] and Finn Valley [Sunday] were the venues for the 2nd series of Ulster/N.I.A.F. squad sessions.
Fifty eight invited young athletes from Armagh, Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan assembled at Shercock Athletics Club’s well appointed facility on Saturday morning. The weather was kind for the event specific section when expert coaching was delivered in Sprints, Middle Distance, Walks, High and Long Jump and Javelin, Hammer and Shot.
As the conditions deteriorated all moved inside and an excellent local specific conditioning session was explained and led by Coaches John McGeever, Hugh Fitzpatrick and Eamon Harvey.
The importance and benefits of using Medicine Ball work, Hurdles Drills and Core work to supplement the overall training/conditioning programme of the young athlete was enthusiastically received by athletes, personal coaches [19 present] and parents.
On Sunday sixty invited athletes from Derry, Tyrone and Donegal braved the storms, which had 20 meter waves recorded off the Donegal coast, to be present for a 10.30am start at the Finn Valley Centre. The weather dictated that the event specific coaching part of the day had to be cancelled. However plan B, thanks to the creativeness of the coaches and a spacious indoor facility, was well received by all.
Coaches Michael Black and Tony Robinson explained and led an extensive dynamic 30 minutes warm up which was followed by event specific conditioning group work.
Group 1 - Medicine Ball work led by former International Javelin athlete Damien Crawford assisted by David Doherty and George Gallen.
Group 2 - Hurdle Drills and Plyometrics led by Coaches and former International athletes Sean Carlin and Mrs. Shauna Carlin.
Group 3 - Core work led by Coaches Eamon Harvey and Tony Robinson.
The young athletes spent 20 minutes in each group and all expressed satisfaction at the conclusion
Dates and venues for the 2008 Ulster/NIAF sessions will be announced shortly and the athletes and their personal coaches notified.
A sincere thanks to athletes, coaches and clubs/schools for enthusiastically supporting the 2007 sessions and to the squad coaches for insuring that the coaching content and delivery was so well received.
ULSTER DEVELOPMENT SQUADS
Athletics Ireland, in early October announced its Regional Development Squads for 2007/8, which include a large number of Ulster athletes. These squad days are aimed at assisting athletes in the Under 14 to Under 18 age bracket who have shown potential at provincial and national level in the last year.
The aim of the squads is to bring athletes and their coaches together with their peers in a squad environment, to provide a focus for the athletes as they progress through the age groups, to supplement their existing training programs, and offer coach and athlete alike the opportunity to benefit from the differing perspectives of a variety of experienced coaches.
In Ulster the North West Squad comprises of athletes from Donegal, Tyrone and Derry while the Sth/South West Squad will have club and schools athletes from Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Armagh. He squads are run jointly by the NIAF and Ulster Athletics Ireland. During 2007, Ulster athletes had it’s strongest ever representation on Irish Schools and Celtic International Track & Field teams and had an unprecedented number of athletes gain top placings at Irish Indoor, Cross Country and outdoor Track and Field championships.
Reports from Day 1 Squad days at Monaghan 20th October [Sth/Sth West] and Finn Valley 21st October [North West], attended by 120 athletes and coaches, were most favorable.
Eamon Harvey, R.D.O. Athletics Ireland, will again be in charge of the Squads and will be ably assisted by a large panel of experienced coaches covering the entire spectrum of track & field events.
Dates and Times
South/South West Squad –Shercock Sat 1st Dec 10.30 –1,30pm
North West Squad –Finn Valley Sun 2nd Dec 10.30 -1.30
For further information on the squads contact Eamon Harvey Regional Dev Officer, Athletics Ireland at eamon@athleticsireland.ie phone 0872797548 or Jackie McKiernan Coaching and Development Manager N.I.A.F
EUROPEAN CROSS COUNTRY
TORO, SPAIN
SUNDAY 9TH DECEMBER
Four athletes from the province have been selected to represent Ireland at the European Cross Country in Toro, Spain on the 9th of December. St Malachy's have three representatives in the Senior Mens race Gary Muarry, Gareth Turnbull & Joe Mc Allister while Eimear Black of Ballymena & Antrim will run in the Junior Womens race. Congratulations to all four.
WOODIES AAI INTER COUNTIES & JUVENILE EVEN AGE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
CURRAGH CAMP, KILDARE
SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER
There was a number of excellent performances from the Ulster athletes at these championships with the following the highlights in the various age groups.
G U12 1000M: Amber Barrett (Cranford) 2nd, Cranford 1st, Donegal 1st, Ulster 2nd
B U12 1000M: Ulster 3rd
G U14 1200M: Lagan Valley 3rd, Ulster 2nd
B U14 1500M: Ruairi Finnegan (Letterkenny) 2nd, Letterkenny 1st, Finn Valley 3rd, Donegal 2nd, Ulster 1st.
G U16 2000M: Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) 1st, Joanne Mills (East Down) 2nd,
Antrim 2nd, Ulster 1st.
B U16 3000M: Cian O Reilly (Annalee) 2nd, St Malachys 2nd, Antrim 3rd, Ulster 1st
G U18 3000M: Michelle English (Letterkenny) 3rd, Finn Valley 3rd, Donegal 3rd, Ulster 1st.
B U18 5000M: Ian Ward (Finn Valley) 1st, Andrew Gourley (Willowfield) 2nd, St Malachys 2nd,
Antrim 1st, Donegal 3rd, Ulster 1st.
ULSTER & NORTHERN IRELAND UNEVEN AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
FINN VALLEY CENTRE, STRANORLAR
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER
There was once again an excellent turnout of athletes from all over the province for the second of our Cross Country Championships. The first race on the twelve race programme had one of the closest finishes with Annalee's Clodagh O Reilly just getting the better of Laura Grear of Dromore in the home straight. In the B U11 race run over the same distance it was a 1-2 for Monaghan Phoenix with Niall Kearns taking the title ahead of John Mulligan. Moving to the U13 age group where Rebecca Ward took the first of two titles for the Ward household on the day in winning the Girls race while Kevin Loughran of Monaghan Phoenix was a convincing victor in the boys equivalent. Lagan Valley took the two U15 titles with Katie Kirk taking the girls and Adam Ingram taking the boys. Irish Schools 1500M Champion Eimear Black had seven seconds to spare over Joanne Mills in taking the G U17 title, while after a very competitive B U17 4K Niall Cullen of St Michaels, Enniskillen had just to much for Cian O Reilly and Darren Mc Brearty in the final 500m. It was a Donegal battle up front in the G U 19 where after taking a early lead Breda Mc Ginity of Finn Valley had settle for second after a strong run by Michelle English of Letterkenny in the second half of the race. The strength of the Boys U18 age group in this province really shone through when 9 of top 12 places were filled by athletes in this age group in the B U19 6K with Ian Ward taking the title ahead of Noel Collins and Andrew Gourley. The Novice titles were won by Aileen Morrison (City of Derry) and Jason Walsh (Omagh) while the tightest team race of the day was in the Novice Mens race where THREE teams all ended up with the same points with City of Derry taking the title ahead of Omagh and Bailieborough.
All in all an excellent days racing and all the qualifiers can look forward to doing battle once again at the Nationals in Dungarvan on Sunday 16th December.
