Athenry Athletic Club

From the AAI Site at http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=5399

The accompanying image sees Westport 5k race winner Martin Conroy (Sligo AC) leading 2nd placed Robert Malseed (Mayo AC).

Very much a labour of love and one I hope that some will enjoy...

See PDF attachment (1.6MB) for a print copy!

I'm fair sure Paul is the first ever Athenry athlete to grace this august magazine's cover in its 28 year history.

Finishers from the Fields of Athenry Kiddies' Fun Run on 26 December 2008 at 10 AM.

Conor Gillen
Mark O'Connor
Steven Gilmore
Cian Walsh
Daniel Rooney
Ronan Hardiman
Cathal Moran
Finn Conerney
Nial Keane
Mathew Treacy
Francis Stewart
Grace Gilmore
Blaine Kleenan
Eimear Keane
Jack Fitzpatrick
Tiernan Burke
Aaron Moran
Cian Hardiman
Shannon Lee
Orlaith Melia
Niamh Connerney
Dean Treacy
Aoife Melia
Eilis Hynes
Fabian Mangan
Caimin Muldoon
Leona Rabbitte
Keelan Burke
Conor Fahy
Andrew Hession
Niamh Moran
Sinead Moran
Hazel Breen
Maeve Kelly
Luke Burke

Perfect running conditions led to to some fast times on the Fields of Athenry 10km race today.

Many recorded PBs, thanks to the weather, and the carb-loading of the previous days!

Gary Thornton of GCH continued his dominace of this event with a great performance t take the men's title, while Catherine Conway of Mayo just edged a previous winner, Lucy Brennan, to take the women's title.

From everyone at Athenry AC, thanks to everyone who took part, and to all our volunteers.

Full report, with results and photos to follow.

Many of us will know that Frank Greally has edited the Irish Runner's 'bible', Irish Runner Magazine, for many years now. Well, today Frank launches his latest book, "Running Commentary" which is a wonderful collection of his thoughts and recollections of Irish athletics over many years. I was lucky enough to be given a preview copy and can tell you it's a wonderful read and a perfect last minute Christmas present for any runner you might know, or indeed for anyone with an interest in Irish sport.

1 Rory Chesser Ennis Track Snr 14.48
2 Dermot Galvin St Johns Snr 15.27
3 James Mc Intyre Finn Valley Snr 15.49
4 Kenneth Rodgers St Cronans Snr 15.55
5 T J Mc Hugh Mayo A.C Snr 15.57
6 Tim O Connor Riocht Snr 16.03
7 Martin Corcoran Craughwell O/40 16.14
8 Brian Mc Ginley Ennis Track Snr 16.15
9 Liam Markham Ennis Track Junior 16.39
10 James Liddane Tulla Snr 16.44
11 Gerard Guinnane West Limerick Snr 16.46
12 Eugene Moynihan Marian O/50 16.49
13 Paul Daly St Johns Snr 16.50
14 Aiden Murray Duhallow A.C Snr 16.53

It's back to the future as regards the National 10k Road Race and the National Half Marathon for 2009.

Both the National 10k and the National Half Marathon return to their 2007 venues in Navan and Ballybofey respectively after a break of only a year. Both of these venues produced fine races in 2007 and no doubt many Athenry members will avail themselves of the opportunity to visit these venues again in 2009.

Full list of details attached below.

2009 Fixture List Part 1

Congratulations to the juvenile athletics who compete at the national cross country finals in Cavan last weekend.

Pride of place goes to Jack Fitzpatrick who won a bronze individual medal in the under 11 boys final and Rachel O' Brien was just outside the medals in fourth place in the under 11 girls final.

The other nine athletes who qualified and represented Athenry in the finals were Grace Cahill, Niamh and Eimear Keane, Shannon Lee and Aoife Melia of the girls under 11 team and Yvonne Keary, Helen Geraghty, Niamh Grady and Fiona Joyce of the girls under 17 team.

Seven brave Galway souls made the slippery journey to Cavan at the weekend to take part in the National Novice Cross Country Championships. The team was deprived of the services of our own Brian Bruton after Brian cracked some ribs in a fall on Friday. Undaunted Brian travelled to Cavan to cheer on Athenry AC's Rob Staunton. Craughwell sent a strong representation with Martin Corcoran, Mark Davies, Tony Nevin and Johnny Lane making the trip. Loughrea AC supplied Darragh O’Brien and GCH sent forth County Galway Cross Country Champion Matt Locket.

Worried about what gift to get for the runner in your life this Christmas?

Here's a great idea!

Ian Egan of Sportspoint Massage and Galway City Harriers has been in touch to say..

"Looking for that ideal and practical Christmas gift for the active, sporty person in your life, or maybe a treat for yourself?

How about Sports Massage?

It’s proven to help prevent injuries and does enhance performance!

Why not purchase a gift voucher from Ian Egan at Sportspoint Massage, based in the Liosbaun Est on the Tuam Rd in Galway?

The Mayo Road race series has proven immensely successful this year and has attracted many Athenry and other Galway runners 'north of the border' to Mayo this year and others. The success of the series has not been an overnight phenomenon as Michael McGrath of mayo AC explains below.

by Michael McGrath Chairman Mayo AC

Mayo AC Road Race League .. Ten years A-growing