The club was busy across all disciplines this weekend. Be it on the grass, road or oval both at home and abroad. Our athletes put in huge efforts were some were rewarded with PB’s, National Medals and valuable learning experience. 2023 has gotten off to a tremendous start and long may it last!
Friday afternoon (3rd February) our juveniles headed to the SETU Sports Campus in Waterford to take part in the East Munster’s Secondary Schools Cross Country. Our athletes performed exceptionally well in what I hear was a very challenging cross country course. Massive well done to each of them.
In the Junior girls race ran over 200m Aisling O’ Reilly (4th) – Ursuline Thurles, Emma Delaney (12th) and Kate Delaney (13th) both representing Presentation Thurles performed brilliantly and did enough to qualify for the Munster Championships in a few weeks. Ruth Phelan (24th) also represented the Ursuline Thurles. Alana Spillane finished in the top 10 in the Intermediate girl’s race (3000m) and also qualified for the Munster’s. Micháel O’ Mahony ensured qualification by pacing a well-judged race and finished 3rd in a hotly contested Senior boys’ field (5000m).
While all this was unfolding, Katie Bergin and her team of supporters including coach Martin Flynn were putting in some air miles to Ghent, Belgium. Katie was invited to compete at the IFAM Bronze World Indoor Tour 60m on Saturday 4th February. She met the standard based on her standout performances at the National u23 Indoor Championships where she won the double in the 60m and 200m (7.71) and (25.25) along with other key performances throughout the indoor season to date. The pre-race programme took place around 14.30 Irish time where she ran a very collective race in heat 3 and finished 32nd overall from 54 athletes by the end of the heats throughout the programme. The heat draws were ranked based on fastest PB’s/SB’s. Katie clocked 7.85 which was a consistent decent performance. Then the Whatsapp group started to light up as the news came in that Katie would compete in the main event that evening. Club members were so excited as we all watched with pride and appreciation witnessing the green and gold singlet of Moyne AC being streamed across the European Athletics You Tube Chanel. Katie looked so composed and showed great professionalism as she prepared herself for the biggest stage and toughest competition yet! The standard was exceptional as one may expect but it didn’t phase Katie and again she stormed down the track and gave it her all. Katie clocked 7.90 on the night and concluded her weekend of competition. Katie has evolved into a brilliant young athlete and role model for the club. This does not happen overnight, and all comes down to consistent hard work and dedication. What she has learned over this weekend is so valuable and will contribute to many great days ahead. Congratulations Katie from all of us at the club.
NIA – Comes to Nenagh Olympic!
David Matthews and his team brought the Track and Field Live event to Nenagh Olympic Stadium on Saturday 4th of February in what was the first of two events to be held in the stadium. This attracted several our young up and coming athletes who gained valuable experience and fun as they prepare for the upcoming indoor season. We valuable these events as the provide the athletes with an opportunity to put their training to the test, learn from the experience and enjoy the day in a non-championship event The second NIA event takes place on the 11th of March. It is open to Juvenile and Senior/Master athletes, and we encourage as many as possible to give it a try. Details of these events are found on Athletics Ireland website/Social Media.
800m
Caoimhe Slevin – 3.07.62
Kate Delaney – 2.52.56
Aisling O’ Reilly – 2.39.38
Emma Delaney – 2.43.60
U16 4x200m (2 teams) – 2.02.83 & 2.03.15
U14 4x200m – 2.14.02
60m
Niamh Cleere – 9.04
Eleanor Doyle – 9.48
Isabelle Murphy – 9.53
Ciara Joyce – 8.86
Abbie Delaney – 10.00
Faye Murphy – 9.29
Ber Spillane showed that she too can make headway as she had the best day of her running career in Athlone on Sunday 5th February! Clocking her first sub 30 200m recently, Ber has been quietly going about her business at training and again tested her mettle by competing in not 1, not 2 but 3 events at the National Senior Championships held in TUS. Ber was keeping me in the loop all day as she progressed throughout competition.. It got off to a dream start where she PB’d in the 60m with 8.88 and came away with her first National Medal of the day with bronze! Obviously, this was not the last of it, after a rest, gentle stretching and jogging Ber timed her preparations between events to perfection as she again toed the line in a very competitive 200m. She clocked another pb and sub 30 with a fantastic 29.40 and the silver medal! Filled with confidence and adrenaline Ber had nothing to lose going into the 400m that evening. Again, she stormed around the track winning convincingly in 67.59. What an unbelievable day to come away with a gold, silver and bronze medal at national level and being crowned National Champion in 400m. Massive kudo’s to Ber and onwards and upwards you go. We look ahead to Poland in a number of weeks where Ber will contest at the World Masters Championships. Exciting times ahead.
Finally, on Sunday both Sharon Cantwell and Pakie Bowe toed the line at popular 10 mile road races. Sharon travelled to Trim Co. Meath and was hoping to improve from her recent 67.48 in Ballyroan. She did that and finished 18th lady overall in a huge field by running 65.55. A PB and a boxed ticked as she now prepares for the road championships ahead. Pakie travelled to Dungarvan to the John Treacy Road race and again ran very well clocking 67.39. Well done to Sharon and Pakie.
Speaking of road races, an important reminder the Co. Road Championships are commencing in a fortnights time with the club hosting the Novice Champs on the 19th of February with championship racing scheduled thick and fast. We appeal to members that club membership is outstanding by many and we encourage you all to renew ASAP if you intend on contesting these races. We always welcome new members and reminder that training for adults continues at 7.30pm on Thursdays. You are most welcome.
We look forward to the Munster indoor championships and All Ireland B championships this coming weekend both in Nenagh and Gowran and wish all our athletes the best of luck.
With that, I’d like to remind the committee that there is a club meeting on this coming Wednesday the 8th of February at 8.30pm in the club house and your attendance is appreciated.
