Athletics by the all rounder

Wednesday, 8th August 2012

Jessie Barr a definite on Olympic team

Waterford's sole representative at the London Olympics Jessie Barr from Ferrybank AC is a definite starter on the Irish 4 x 400 Metres Relay team that competes in the semi finals of the event on Friday evening at 7.10 pm. The team comprises Marian Heffernan wife of walker Robert Heffernan who runs leg one, Joanne Cuddihy runs the second leg, Jessie does the third and Michelle Carey runs the final leg. The team are very much outsiders going into the race but they will be aiming for a new National record, but even achieving this may not get them to the final the standard is so high. All in Waterford athletics wish Jessie the very best and all are proud to have Waterford athletics represented once again as it has been at every Olympiad since 1980. Three athletes who are graduates from Providence College USA where Ray Treacy Villierstown coaches are among those competing at the Olympics.

Looking back

Friday last saw the start of the athletics at this years Olympics in London and at time of writing there have been mixed fortunes for the Irish athletes competing. First into action was Joanne Cuddihy in the 400 Metres Heats where she finished fourth in her race after starting off far too fast and fading in the straight but she made it through to Saturday's semi final as one of the the fastest losers in 52.09 seconds well outside her best time of 50.73, then on Saturday she ran a much more balanced race to finish 5th in 51.88 seconds but in much better class and did not progress.

Fionnula Britton in the 10000 Metres final finished 15th and again she may have fared better with a more restrained run early on where at a very early stage she went up to dispute the pace, while Ciaran O'Lionard was never a factor in the 1500 metres. Robert Heffernan on Saturday had a fine race in the 20 Km Walk to finish 9th of the 58 competitors in a personal best time of 1hr 20 minutes 18 seconds, he was 8th in Beijing in 2008 and Stephanie O'Reilly had a reasonably good run in the 3000 Metres steeplechase heats without progressing while Pole Vaulter Tori Pena was most disappointing Three female Marathon runners competed on Sunday with two of them running near their best Linda Byrne finished 66th and Av Hutchinson 68 th and the third Catriona Jennings who went into the race with an injury in all probability should never have been a starter and she eventually finished last of the 107 finishers having been in considerable distress all the way. On Monday morning Derval O'Rourke came up with her fastest time of the year 12.91seconds in the 100 metres Hurdles finishing 4th in a very competitive heat to qualify for this evenings semi final a superb performance from a great competitor for the big occasion regardless of how she fares in the semi final.

Ahead

At the time of writing (Tuesday) Fionnula Britton may run in the 5000 Metres semi final and Paul Hession is in action in the 200 metres in Round One and he may progress. On Wednesday Alastair Cragg is in the 5000 Metres and it depends which Alastair Cragg turns up, Thursday sees Deirdre Ryan in the High Jump and she has an outside chance of a final place, Friday sees the 4x 400 Metres Women's Relay team in action in their semi final and if Britton progresses the 5000 Metres final is also on Friday. Saturday could prove to be the best Irish day with Olive Loughnane in the 20 km walk and Robert Heffernan in the 50 Km Walk both expected to be prominent Heffernan will be joined by Brendan Boyce and Colin Griffin and on Sunday Mark Kenneally goes in the Marathon.

General Observations

At time of writing Usain Bolt Jamacia retained his 100 metres title in style, up against the greatest field of sprinters ever. The victory of Mo Farah Great Britain in the 10000 Metres final was spectacularand welcome as he relegated the much fancied Ethiopians - who had made this event their own- to third and fourth place and this should give hope to athletes from other countries hoping to do likewise especially those from Europe. Jessica Ennis GB was superb in winning the Heptathlon title and the stadium has been full to capacity for the majority of the Track and Field Days and many from Ireland are present including quite a few from Waterford.

Niamh wins in Sweden

On Saturday last Niamh Whelan had two good results at a meeting in Goteborg, Sweden. She won a 100 Metres race in 11.84 seconds and finished second in the 200M in 24.16 seconds. At the all Ireland juvenile Development meeting in Santry on Sunday last Eoin Kenny was second in the u13 Shot Putt and Frankie Dolphin was third in the High Jump u14 both from Ferrybank AC

Morris Oil 10 Km

200 competed in the final race of the Outfield Sports Road Series superbly organised by Carrck on Suir Road Runners in Piltown on Friday last. Philip Harty Donore Hrs easily won in a time of 31 minutes 50 second, Andrew Connick Ferrybank AC was second and Ruari O'Donnell Limerick third. Siobhan Doherty Borrisokane won the ladies section again very impressively in 36 minutes, Angela McCann Clonmel was second and Dymphna Ryan Dundrum third The series was a great success with entries well up on previous years. Each competitor who competed in three races in the Series got a special memento and there were many athletes from Waterford among them.

Woodstown Road Race on Saturday

The Annual Alan Everett 5 Miles Road Race in Woodstown Co Waterford on Saturday next has a 7 pm start. entries from 6 pm at "The Saratoga" in Woodstown. The run will be preceded by a walk at 6.45pm and is over the usual course starting near the Public Toilets .

August Track and Field Fixtures

Saturday 11 th Celtic Games, Aberdeen, Saturday 18 th All Ireland Masters Championships Tullamore, Sunday 19 th National League Finals Tullamore,Community Games National Athletics Finals. Saturday 25th Sunday 26th August 2012.

17th Annual An Tobar Bar Ardmore 5 Miles

The final race in the Ger Wyley Sports Summer series, the Ardmore 5 miles on Friday August 17 th is a big night as the overall prizes are also presented for the series. This race is sponsored by An Tobar Bar in Ardmore and it begins at 7.30 pm. There will be prizes for men,ladies and individual as well as the 12 Star Sign categories. Entrieswill be taken at the Ardmore G.A.A. Club Pavilion from 6.15 pm..

5KM Island Run

The Island Run, promoted by Balance Fitness, takes place on SundayAugust 19th at 1pm at Waterford Castle. 5km race, family fun day,musicand BBQ. Entries at Ardkeen Quality Food Store, race sponsor, orrunireland.com. More details at http://www.balance. Charity this year

Waterford Branch Irish Red Cross

D.M.P Athletics Club Co Wexford

70th Anniversary Open Sports 15th August 2012 Sinnottstown Lane Drinagh Wexford. Reg 5.30pm Events Start 6pm Sharp Events for under 8 to 16 Senior Men and Women. Contact Dermot 0877412913/ Mick 0876211432