European Athletic Championships
Two Ferrybank AC athletes competed in the individual and relay events at the European Championships in Zurich last week Thomas Barr in the 400 metres hurdles and 4 x 400 metres relay and Kelly Proper in the 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay. Much was expected of Thomas Barr in the 400 metres hurdles as he was ranked third in Europe going into the Championships after many top class performances during the summer despite starting his season late being held up in his preparations with an injury. First into action on Tuesday morning in the heats of the event he ran from lane 1 and looked very comfortable winning the race in 49.79 seconds and easily making the semi finals. In his semifinal on Wednesday afternoon running from lane 5 and starting well he then seemed to have problems in the third 100 metres of the race but then got going with two hurdles to clear and as usual finished very strongly to finish a close third in 49.30 but missing out on automatic qualification spot by one place -the first two automatically going through. He then had to wait for the final heat to see if he still might make it but unfortunately it was the fastest heat and Thomas lost out. In the post race interview Thomas referred to a back problem re occurring and that he had a few sessions of physio before the race.not an ideal preparation. Thomas will be very disappointed with missing out but at just 22 years will have lots of time to turn in top class performances hopefully in major championships in the years ahead. Its worth pointing out that the winner of the title Hussein from Switzerland won the semi final that Thomas contested and in the final had a personal best of 48.96 a time Thomas has run.
Kelly Proper
The championships for Kelly Proper were a success as she came out of her heat of the 200 metres on Thursday morning in 23.37 an automatic qualifier in 4 th place for the semi final later that afternoon. In that semi final against the very best opposition she posted a personal best time of 23.15 seconds to finish fifth a stride or so behind the fourth placed athlete but unfortunately only two went through to the final. Kelly as usual gave it her very best shot and her PB in the semi final was highly commendable She was also a member of the Irish 4 x 100 metres relay team Niamh Whelan was also on the 4 x 100 metres relay panel but did not get a run.
Kelly and Thomas were both back in action on Saturday on relay duty. Running second in the 4 x 100 metres relay semi-final, Kelly ran fine leg as the team failed by just one place to make the final, they did however set a new national record of 43.84 seconds. Thomas was running the final leg in the sem-final of the 4 x 400 metres relay and he ran an absolute blinder as Ireland took third spot with the new national record of 3.03.57 to automatically qualify for Sunday's final. In that final the team with one change from Saturday, with Mark English included, they beat their new record with a time of 3.01.67 to finish fifth overall and again Thomas ran a terrific last leg. This relay performance was a major step up for Ireland. while Mark English's bronze medal in the 800 metres was excellent
National Community Games Finals
On Saturday and Sunday next the National Community Games Athletic Finals are in Athlone with the majority of the finals on the Sunday. A big Waterford contingent will be competing there and we wish all a very enjoyable and successful week end. the programme begins at 9 am both days
15th Annual Glaxosmithkline 5
The final race in the Ger Wyley Sports/Skins Series is on Friday next in Dungarvan.Its the15 th Annual Glaxosmithkline 5 miles and entries will be taken at the Dungarvan United Football Club Pavillion, Kilrush, Dungarvan from 6.15 pm, race starts at 7.30 pm sharp.
Ballyduff 5 Miles won by Harty
Philip Harty West Waterford was the very impressive winner of the Ballyduff Lower 5 miles run on Friday last Leading from the gun he was first home in 26 minutes 17 seconds,Trevor Power Waterford AC was second in 26.53 and David Power Rathfarnham Dublin a native of Tramore was third in 28.14 Sylvia Malone Waterford AC was first lady home in 31.45, Mary Molloy from the Clonmel area was second in 33.19 and Joan Mahony Waterford AC third in 33.27.
