Farewell to 2018

We're in the last days of 2018 with a New Year soon upon but our members finished the last year strongly with some very good performances at the North West Games in Athlone IT last Saturday.


Superbly organised by Athletics Donegal, the event was a Christmas feast of athletics with events in all age groups and some great performances from Carrick AC athletes.

These ranged from two wins for Alannah McGuinness to the Kennedy brothers putting on a show that had the crowd rising to their feet, applauding them down the home straight as they ran side by side from start to finish, Declan just edging Patrick in the finish.

Ellis Conway put in two very solid performances over 200m and 400m while Oisin O'Dowd set two new personal bests before he heads back to Holland for his studies and Oisin Kearney also set a big new pb over 400m.


Cathal McElgunn, Oisin O'Dowd, 

Oisin Kearney and Susanne O'Beirne were also among the winners so well done to everyone who took part.

The following were the performances

Ladies

U16: 200m: Alanna Murray 29.41; Aoibheann O’Dowd 30.61; 60m: Aine McGwynne 8.67; Aoibhinn O’Dowd 9.17

U18: 200m: Alannah McGuinness 1st 27.02, Clodagh Sheerin 27.82 2nd; 60m: Alannah McGuinness 7.92 1st; Clodagh Sheerin 8.51

Senior: 200m: Ellis Conway 26.85 2nd; 400m: Ellis Conway 59.92 1st, Susanne O’Beirne 3rd Masters 74.08; 800m: Suzanne O’Beirne 1st Masters 3.05.18 1st

Men

U12: 600m: Declan Kennedy 1.50.10 1st; Patrick Kennedy 1.50.48 2nd

U16: Long Jump: Jack Keenehan 4.15m

U18: 200m: 200m: Oisin Kearney 24.61; 400m: Oisin Kearney 54.04 3rd

Senior: 200m: Oisin O’Dowd 24.23 2nd; 60m: Oisin O’Dowd 7.57; 400m: Cathal McElgunn 52.46 1st; 3,000m: Ken Kennedy 10.17.05 3rd Masters

2019 REGISTRATION NIGHT

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club are delighted to announce that we will hold our Registration Night for both existing and new members at 7.30 pm on Monday, January 7, 2019 in The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon.

This Registration night is for ALL existing members - Juvenile to Senior to Master. Anyone not registering on the night will not be registered with the Club for 2019 even if you have been a member up to the end of this year's activities.

We are also pleased to announce that we will be accepting a limited number of new members in our Primary School group, subject to safety limitations for the Sports Complex, as well as new members in all other groups.

We will also be accepting new members for our eight year old group that meets on Thursday evenings in the Sports Complex. This group is limited and a child must be age eight on the night of registration to join.

There is one important point to note for all parents of children under 18 years of age - with new GDPR guidelines, all parents MUST sign the membership form of each children they are registering with the club, no proxy signings can be allowed

The Athletics Ireland Registration year runs from January 1, to December 31, of each year meaning our membership year will run for the same period. Please remember, a parent must sign the membership form of their child under 18 years of age.

Our training groups will meet at the following times:

PRIMARY SCHOOL GROUPs

Tuesday: 5 to 6 pm: Athletes aged 9 & 10 in 2019

Tuesday: 6 to 7 pm: Athletes aged 11, 12 & over in 2019
Thursday: 5 to 6 pm: Athletes aged 8 on January 7, 2019

POST PRIMARY SCHOOL GROUP

Tuesday: Meet at 6 pm at the Sports Complex (Session last 75-80 minutes)

Wednesday: Gym & circuits session in Sports Complex at 6 pm
Friday: Meet at 4.30 pm at Sports Complex

There is a weekly fee of €3 per week

Membership Fees are as follows:

Juvenile €25         Senior: €30      Family: €60 (Three Juvenile members plus)

We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, January 7, in The Bush Hotel.

TRAINING FOR ALL JUVENILE GROUPS WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

GOD & Alannah get indoor season off to a flying start

Gerard goes round the bend

The first indoor competition of the year saw some great performances and a lot of personal bests from the small Carrick AC crew who took part in Wednesday's Baseline Meet in Athlone.

Gerard O'Donnell started his indoor season off impressively with a 7.15 clocking over 60m, finishing second in the race, before winning the 150m in a time of 16.51 seconds, a very smooth and controlled run.

Alannah McGuinness smashed her 60m personal best by 0.13 of a second when she finished third in the 60m in a time of 7.86, a great start to the indoor season. She followed that up with a superb new pb over 150m, which again equates very well to her best over 200m.

Clodagh Sheerin was third in the 150m race with Alannah second, in a time of 20.4. This came after Clodagh was a very impressive winner of her 60m in a time of 8.35 seconds.

Oisin O'Dowd was another smashing pbs as he ran 7.62 for 60m and 17.93 for 150m, a time nearly a second faster than he ran last year, with Niall Sheerin running 7.84 over 60m and 18.38 over 150m.

Ellis Conway finished third in her 300m in a time of 42.97 in a tough field while Oisin Kearney won his 300m heat in a time of 38.81, a superb run and then running 18.57 over 150m.

Well done to everyone on a great start to the indoor season.

Alannah dips for the line and a new pb

2018 CARRICK AC ROLL OF HONOUR

Some great performances in 2018 from Ann Wynne, Susanne O'Beirne, Ann Marie Keenan and Michelle Lannon

Although the year is not fully finished yet, the following is a list of notable Carrick-on-Shannon AC performances at National, Connacht and International level in 2018.

Gerard O'Donnell with his nephews Conor & Charlie

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Gerard O’Donnell Athletics Ireland Senior 110m Hurdles Champion

Ann Wynne 1st Athletics Ireland Masters O50 1,500m; 3rd 800m; 2nd Indoor O50 800m

Michelle Lannon British & Irish Masters O45 2nd team, 2nd Athletics Ireland Masters O45 3,000m; 3rd O45 Cross-country; 3rd Indoor O45 3,000m

Alannah McGuinness 2nd Athletics Ireland U17 100m; 6th Athletics Ireland Junior 100m & All-Ireland Schools Inter 100m Final; 7th Athletics Ireland Indoor U17 60m Hurdles Final

Clive Glancy Irish Team European Police Championship Marathon

Declan Kennedy 2nd Athletics Ireland U12 CC 2018; 5th Athletics Ireland U11 CC 2017; 8th Athletics Ireland Indoor U12 600m Final; 28th Athletics Ireland U12 Cross-country 2017

All-Ireland U14 4 x 200m bronze

Patrick Kennedy 2nd Athletics Ireland U11 CC 2017; 3rd Athletics Ireland U12 B 600m; 5th Athletics Ireland Indoor U12 600m Final; 16th Athletics Ireland U12 CC 2018; 25th Athletics Ireland U12 Cross-country 2017

Gerard Murtagh, Shane Finn, Cian Mollohan & Toyosi Fagbo - 3rd Athletics Ireland Indoor U15 Boys 4 x 200m

B medalists Aine McGwynne & Patrick Kennedy

Aine McGwynne 3rd Athletics Ireland U16 B Champs 100m

Susanne O'Beirne 3rd Athletics Ireland Masters Over 45 800m & 1,500m; 3rd O45 1,500m

Cathal McElgunn 3rd Irish Universities 4 x 400m

Alanna Murray 4th Athletics Ireland U16 B 100m

Gerard Murtagh 4th Athletics Ireland Indoor U14 60m Final

Toyosi Fagbo 5th Athletics Ireland Indoor  U15 60m Final

Ellis Conway 5th All-Ireland Schools Senior Girls 400m & 5th Athletics Ireland U18 400m Final; 6th Athletics Ireland Indoor U18 400m

Clodagh Sheerin 6th Athletics Ireland U18 60m Final

Ellie O'Rourke 6th Athletics Ireland U16 3,000m; 7th Athletics Ireland Indoor U16 800m Final; 64th Athletics Ireland Cross-country U16 Girls 2018

Riaghan Guckian, Patrick & Declan Kennedy, Oran Butler

Declan & Patrick Kennedy, Oran Butler & Riaghan Guckian Carrick U11 Boys Cross-country Team 7th Athletics Ireland U12 Cross-country 2018

Aine McGwynne, Alanna Murray, Aoibhinn O'Dowd and Sophie McCabe All-Ireland Schools Junior Girls Relay 7th

Oisin O'Dowd, Fiachra Henry, Oisin Kearney and Niall Sheerin All-Ireland Schools Senior Boys 4 x 400m relay 7th

Aine McGwynne, Alanna Murray, Ellie O'Rourke & Sophie McCabe 7th Athletics Ireland U16 4 x 100m Final

Daniel Bosquette 8th Athletics Ireland U16 Javelin

Eoghan Farrell 9th Athletics Ireland U17 3,000m

Lauren Reynolds 14th All-Ireland Schools Junior CC; 17th Athletics Ireland U16 CC 2017; 12th All-Ireland Schools Junior 1,500m

CONNACHT

Declan Kennedy 1st Connacht Indoor & Outdoor U12 600m; 1st Connacht U12 & 13 CC 2018; 1st Connacht U11 & 12 CC 2017

Ellie O'Rourke 1st Connacht Schools Inter Mile; 2nd Connacht Indoor U16 1,500m & 800m; 1st Connacht U16 3,000m, 4th 800m; 2nd Connacht U17 CC

Alannah with her mother Siobhan and an All-Ireland silver

Alannah McGuinness 1st Connacht U17 200m; 2nd 100m; 2nd Connacht Schools Inter 100m; 3rd Connacht Indoor U17 60m; 2nd 60m Hurdles

Ellis Conway 1st Connacht Indoor U18 400m; 1st Connacht U18 400m; 1st 200m; 2nd Connacht Schools Senior 400m

Gerard Murtagh 1st Connacht Indoor U14 60m, 3rd Long Jump; 6th Outdoor Long Jump

Lauren Reynolds 1st Connacht Indoor U16 1,500m; 2nd Connacht U16 1,500m; 3rd Connacht Schools Junior 1,500m; 5th Connacht Indoor U16 800m

Michelle Lannon ran for Ireland in Swansea in November

Michelle Lannon 1st Connacht F35 3,000m

Toyosi Fagbo 1st Connacht Indoor U15 60m

Callum Whelan 1st Connacht Senior Javelin

Ken Kennedy 1st Connacht M35 3,000m; 3rd Connacht Masters Cross-country League

Patrick Kennedy 2nd Connacht Indoor 600m; 2nd Connacht U12 Boys Cross-country 2018; 2nd Connacht U11 & 12 CC 2017; 4th Connacht Outdoor 600m; 8th Connacht U13 CC 2018

Sophie McCabe 2nd Connacht Schools Junior 200m & 4th 100m; 3rd Connacht U15 100m; 3rd 200m

Ellis Conway was very close to a national medal in 2018

Aisling Gill 2nd Connacht Senior 200m

Susanne O’Beirne 2nd Connacht F35 1,500m, 3rd 3,000m, 2nd 800m; 5th Connacht Senior Cross-country League

Ann Wynne 2nd Connacht F50 400m, 4th 800m

Aine McGwynne, Alanna Murray, Aoibhinn O’Dowd and Sophie McCabe Connacht Schools Junior Girls relay 2nd

Oisin O’Dowd, Fiachra Henry, Oisin Kearney and Niall Sheerin Connacht Schools Senior Boys 4 x 400m 2nd

Clodagh Sheerin 2nd Connacht Indoor U18 200m & 3rd 60m; 3rd Connacht Schools Senior 200m

Javelin medals for Sean, Daniel & Callum

Oisin Kearney 2nd Connacht U17 400m, 5th 200m

Niall Sheerin 2nd Connacht Indoor U18 60m & 200m

Daniel Dill 2nd Connacht Senior 3,000m

Gerard Murtagh, Shane Finn, Cian Mollohan & Toyosi Fagbo 2nd Connacht Indoor U15 4 x 200m relay

Michael Keane 3rd Connacht M35 3,000m

Patrick & Declan Kennedy, Oran Butler, Riaghan Guckian, Ben Clarke 3rd Connacht U12 Cross-country club team & inter-county team

Indoor Shot medal for Dara Holmes

Riaghan Guckian 9th Connacht U11 Boys Cross-country

Riaghan Guckian & Oran Butler 3rd Connacht U11 Boys Cross-country team

Ellie O'Rourke & Kirsty McHenry 3rd Connacht U16 Inter-county team

Shane Finn 3rd Connacht Indoor U15 Shot

Aine McGwynne 3rd Connacht Schools Junior 100m

Eoghan Farrell 3rd Connacht U17 3,000m; 4th Connacht Schools Inter 3,000m; 4th Connacht U18 Cross-country

Dara Holmes 3rd Connacht U13 Indoor Shot & Turbo Javelin; 9th 60m

Thumbs up in Connacht Team competition

Luke Charles & Aaron McDonagh 3rd Connacht U11 60m Team

Hugh McGovern and Caoimhin O’Sullivan 3rd Connacht U10 60m Team

Oisin O’Dowd 4th Connacht U19 100m & 200m; 4th Connacht Indoor U19 60m, 6th 200m

Keelin Cronin 4th Connacht U13 60m

Faith Lynott 4th Connacht U13 Shot

Connacht Indoor medals for Lauren, Gerard & Ellie

Joshua Bosquette & Theo Gately 4th Connacht U10 Turbo Javelin team

U13 Boys 4 x 200m 4th

Keith Healy 5th Connacht M35 3,000m

Kirsty Henry 6th Connacht Schools Junior 1,500m & 6th Connacht U15 1,500m

Alanna Murray 6th Connacht U16 100m; 8th 200m

Brendan Kennedy 7th Connacht U14 800m; 9th Connacht U14 Boys Cross-country

Jack Keenehan 7th Connacht U16 Long Jump

Ellie O’Brien 8th Connacht U14 800m

If anyone has been omitted from the list of Connacht, National and International winners, please contact John Connolly at connollyjohnb@eircom.net

2018 AGM SECRETARY'S REPORT

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club 2018 Annual General Meeting Secretary's report

The Club held our AGM last Monday evening, December 3, in The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon. Thanks to those who took the time to attend, it was much appreciated.

The following is the report of Secretary John Connolly delivered to the meeting:

Hard to believe that another year has passed but as we look back on 2018 and the last two months of 2017, our club has never enjoyed a wider variety of success at all disciplines.

Gerard O’Donnell tops the year once again as he regained the National 110m Hurdles crown after what must have been his best year ever, desperately unlucky to miss the European Championships Qualifying Standard by just 0.03 of a second! And we also wish Gerard well in his new job with Athletics Ireland and congratulate on winning the 2018 Senior Award at the Leitrim Sports Star Awards.

We also saw great success on road and cross-country in 2018 with Michelle Lannon, who joined us last year, representing Ireland at this year’s British & Irish Masters Cross-country in Swansea, adding a team silver medal into the bargain to cap off a year that saw Michelle win National medals in cross-country, indoors and outdoors.

Clive Glancy also wore the Green vest with pride in 2018, again representing An Garda Siochana & Ireland in the European Police Marathon Championships held with the Dublin City Marathon last October. A new pb of 2.35 may not, however, have been his biggest achievement with the arrival of twins earlier in the year a welcome addition for the club in the years ahead. Congrats to both Niamh and Clive.

We had first time All-Ireland medalists by the bucketload - Ann Wynne & Susanne O’Beirne at Masters level, Alannah McGuinness & Aine McGwynne in sprints while the Kennedy twins, Declan & Patrick, thrilled us all with some amazing performances in cross-country. Shane Finn, Cian Mollohan & Gerard Murtagh won their first All-Ireland medals along with Toyosi Fagbo with bronze in a thrilling U15 Boys 4 x 200m indoor relay. A medal too for Cathal McElgunn who combined getting his Masters in UCD with winning an Irish Universities medal in the 4 x 400m, a fitting reward for one of our club’s best servants.

There were some heartbreak - Ellis Conway was desperately unlucky to miss out a medal with a series of top class performance in National Finals as was Gerard Murtagh & Toyosi Fagbo in the Indoor 60m Finals while Alanna Murray too finished fourth in the U16 B 100m Final. And for Eanna Madden, overall winner of the 2017 Leitrim Sports Star Awards, there was disappointment as injury cut his season very short but thankfully he is back training and in the same training group as Gerard O’Donnell and Cathal McElgunn in Dublin.

It goes without saying that we as a club are so lucky to have so many dedicated athletes wearing the Royal Blue Carrick AC vest at every age and level. And while it might be cheating a little, I’m going to copy my words of last year - Success isn’t measured just by medals but by the way our athletes compete, the support they show each other and the commitment they display daily - on that count, we have a club full of champions!

I must also pay tribute to all our coaches for their unfailing dedication, good spirits and enthusiasm - we really would be nowhere without the hard work of Siobhan Murtagh, Siobhan Whelan, Orla Keaney, Bernice Harman, Caolann Scollan, Diane Charles, Karen Brennan, Aislinn Bosquette, Mary Finn, Jennifer McGwynne, Jenny McCabe, Donnacha Holmes, Andrew Brennan, John Keenehan, Alice Lynott, Mary O’Donnell & Bernice Harman.

Performances aside, our club faced a number of different challenges over the past 14 months. We took the tough decision not to accept new members in the Primary School groups last year due to the pressure of space in the Complex but it was a decision we had to make for safety reasons. We also changed our membership year from October to January to mirror that of Athletics Ireland and, following our discussions here tonight, we certainly look forward to accepting new members in January.

Numbers in the Post Primary group have dropped a little but the hard work and enthusiasm of these athletes certainly hasn’t. The numbers are a bit more manageable but the turnout nevertheless highlights the need for new community facilities in Carrick-on-Shannon.

In terms of facilities, we took a big step by leaving the top field of the Community School for our Summer training. We’ve been training there for over 20 years but with traffic so heavy and safety a concern, we approached Carrick-on-Shannon Rugby Club about using their pitch and they could not have been more welcoming. Their facilities allowed the entire club to train in one area at the same time and with plenty of space. I want to put on record our deep thanks to Carrick Rugby Club for their generosity in using their excellent facilities.

I say it every year but our Adult Running group continues to go from strength to strength and the camaraderie of the group is obvious. The enthusiasm of the group is a testament to the work of Graham Allen who keeps everyone together, keeps everyone motivated and certainly keeps them running. Well done Graham and the gang.

I’d like to thank Chairperson Mary Finn and Treasurer Jenny McCabe for all their work. Mary has informed us that she is stepping down tonight and while I would be delighted if she stayed on, I want to thank her for her hard work, dedication and support for the club not only during her term as Chairperson but through a lifetime’s involvement with Carrick AC. Many, many thanks Mary for your work and your friendship.

Over the past 14 months, we have lost some great club servants and dear friends and I want to offer my sympathy to the families of the late Marie McGuinness, Christina Finn, Cathal Devaney, Seamus Farrell and Art McGrath on their great losses over the year. 

I would also like to commiserate with any club members and their families who suffered any bereavements during the year. May they all Rest In Peace.

I want to thank Adrian Jackson, Noeleen Murray Noone, Ray Mulvey and everyone at Carrick-on-Shannon Community School for all their assistance during the year.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a successful year on the track, indoors or out, the roads and the country as we keep the Carrick AC flag flying high.

John Connolly

Secretary

NORTH WEST INDOOR GAMES - SATURDAY DECEMBER 29

Cathal McElgunn after finishing his 400m at last year's North West Games - what better way to celebrate the Christmas!

While most of us may still be recovering after the turkey at Christmas, some of our members will be turning their minds to the fourth North West Indoor Games will be held at Athlone International Arena on Sunday December 29.

This superb open event, organised by the Donegal Athletics County Board, covers age groups from U12 right up to Masters with events in every age group. Entry fee is €3 per event for Juveniles and €5 per event for Seniors & Masters with relays €20 per team. 

All entries and fees must be received no later than Friday, December 14 and cheques should be made payable to Donegal County Board. Entries cannot be accepted on the day of competition.

As this is not a Provincial Club competition, entries are up to each individual athlete to organise and pay.

THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT RESTRICTION - ONLY THREE ATHLETES PER CLUB PER EVENT SO PLEASE CHECK WITH FELLOW CLUB ATHLETES IF THEY ARE ALSO COMPETING!

An added attraction this year is the awarding of the famed O’Duffy Cup to the Ulster or Connacht county team achieving the highest number of points in both male and female events. All Athletes - U18, junior, senior or masters - are eligible for this competition with the highest ranked athlete from each county scoring in the track and field events except in the case of Shot and Hurdles where only competitors who throw the 7.26 Kg shot and compete in the senior hurdles will count.

Other details to note: 

1. Athletes may step up one age and compete in a maximum of three events plus a relay
2. All track events are time trials, only three attempts allowed in Long and Triple Jumps and Shot
3. All athletes must wear club singlets
4. U12 athletes MAY use starting blocks, all other athletes MUST use blocks. IAAF false start rules will apply
5. Electronic timing will be in operation for all track events
6. First event will start at 10am detailed timetable and order of events will issue at a later date

For further information, contact Bernie O'Callaghan, 20 The Waterfront, Killybegs, Co Donegal at 087-2375899 or at bernieocallaghan@gmail.com


The full list of events is as follows:

U12 Boys & Girls: 60m, 60m Hurdles, 600m, 1,000m walk, shot, Long Jump, High Jump, 4 x 200m Relay

U14 Boys & Girls: 60m, 60m Hurdles, 800m 1,000m walk shot, Long Jump, High Jump, 4 x 200m Relay

U16 Boys & Girls: 60m, 60m Hurdles, 200m, 400, 800m, 1,500m, 1,000m Walk, Long Jump, High Jump, 4x 200m Relay

U18 Men & Women: 60m, 60m Hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,000m Walk, 1,500m, Shot, Long Jump, High jump, Triple Jump, 4 x 200m Relay

Junior Men & Women: 60m, 60m hurdles, 200m, 400, 800m, 1,000m Walk, 1,500m, 3,000m, shot, long jump, triple jump, 4 x 200m Relay

Senior Men & Women: 60m, 60m hurdles, 200m, 400, 800m, 1,000m Walk, 1,500m, 3,000m, shot, long jump, triple jump, 4 x 200m Relay

Masters Men and Women: 60m, 60m hurdles, 200m, 400, 800m, 1,000m Walk, 1,500m, 3,000m, shot, long jump, triple jump, 4 x 200m Relay

DATE SET FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club AGM will be held on Monday December 3, in The Bush Hotel at 7.30 pm

All Club members over 16 years of age or their parents are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club next Monday, December 3, at 7.30 pm in The Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The meeting will review the past years which has seen great success at Senior, Masters and Juvenile level and will plan for the coming year, including the intake of new members for the Juvenile section, details of which will be announced after the meeting.

Chairperson Mary O'Brien Finn has indicated her intention to step down from the position while if there any nominations, motions or matters to be discussed, please send them to Secretary John Connolly at connollyjohnb@eircom.net before this Friday, November 30, at 9pm.

We look forward to seeing you all in The Bush Hotel next Monday.

BRILLIANT SILVER FOR DECLAN

Our U12 Boys team of Riaghan Guckian, Patrick and Declan Kennedy and Oran Butler

Patrick Kennedy finishes 16th in excellent display as U12 Boys team finish seventh

All-Ireland silver medalist Declan Kennedy

Congratulations to Declan Kennedy who produced a superb display to finish second in the Athletics Ireland Irish Life Health National U12 Cross-country Championships in Abbottstown on Sunday.

After a series of races that has seen him undefeated in Connacht, Declan, his twin Patrick and team-mates Oran Butler and Riaghan Guckian, both in their first ever All-Ireland, produced a superb display to finish seventh out of sixteen teams in the team race.

Fionn McNamara of Annalee started pushing the pace on the second of two 1 km laps but Declan was the only athlete able to chase. The Cavan runner stayed out in front to win with Declan showing great strength to hold off at least five athletes who had him in his sights.

Patrick also turned in a superb display as he finished 16th in a very tough race, despite being slightly under the weather. He got detached from Declan early in the race but was just outside the top 12 before the finish in what is still a superb run for Patrick - we don't have that many athletes who finished in the top 20 of an All-Ireland Juvenile cross-country championships. 

For Oran Butler and Riaghan Guckian, this was an introduction to one of the toughest events in the athletics calendar and they did superbly. Both are U11 and will run in Navan in three weeks time in their own age group and despite an understandable dose of nerves before the start, they fought every inch of the way and were sprinting all the way to the line as Oran was 144th and Riaghan 145th. 

When the scores of the four lads were added together, the Carrick lads finished seventh in the Inter-Club race - one of the best performances from our club teams ever and definitely a sign of potential for the future. 

Ellie O'Rourke got out strongly in a very competitive and incredibly high quality U16 Girls race. Unfortunately, it wasn't Ellie's day as she finished 64th, not a true reflection of a very dedicated athlete's ability, but nobody can doubt the effort she put in as she finished the race very light headed. 

Brendan Kennedy completed our line-up in the U14 Boys race and ran strongly to finish 108th. Brendan got swamped at the start but fought his way through the field and will take a lot from this race. 

A word of congratulations also to Kinlough natives Teresa Doherty and Breege Connolly who both had top ten finishes in the Senior Women's race. 

Teresa was just a week after winning the British & Irish Masters race in Swansea where our own Michelle Lannon was in action and she finished a superb seventh while Breege, who was a joint winner of the Senior category with our own Gerard O'Donnell at Saturday's Leitrim Sports Star Awards, showed incredible strength to come through for a superb 10th - great running from the two ladies.

SEE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

DECLAN DOES THE DOUBLE AS ELLIE & KEN IN THE MEDALS

Declan Kennedy wins U13 Connacht title to add to U12 crown

Connacht medals for Ellie O'Rourke, Patrick Kennedy, Riaghan Guckian, Oran Butler and Ken Kennedy

Another great day at the Western Region Cross-country last Sunday, this time in Belleek Park in Ballina at the Uneven Ages Championships with some superb performances from our athletes.

Top of the pile was Declan Kennedy who added the U13 title to the U12 he won in Sligo the week before, a harder run against older opposition but a fine performance with his brother Patrick also turning in an excellent display in eighth place.

The two lads teamed up with four Ballinamore AC runners to take third in the Inter County race.

Ellie O'Rourke turned in a superb performance to take second in the U17 Girls race, a big improvement on Sligo and showing what she is capable of.

Riaghan Guckian also made a big breakthrough as he qualified for his first ever Connacht team when he finished ninth in the U11 age group. A superb run from Riaghan who always produced strong performances. Oran Butler finished 20th in the same race, unfortunate to slip on the steep hill twice but a strong display nonetheless. The two lads combined with four other Leitrim runners to take home bronze medals in the Inter County race.

Our newest Connacht medalist is probably one of our oldest first timers - Ken Kennedy showed that Declan & Patrick didn't lick it off the ground as he finished third overall in the Masters Section of the Adult Cross-country League, another strong performance seeing him grab the bronze by a point but also just one point off the joint winners.

Ken was 16th across the line and seventh Master in Ballina. Michael Keane was also in action as he finished 28th overall in Ballina and in the series, he was 17th overall, a great result considering his results were hampered by not getting to run in the first leg. Well done lads

Emily Reynolds and Kirsty McHenry both put in strong displays to finish 34th and 22nd respectively in the U13 and U15 Girls races respectively, two very intense races.

Susanne O'Beirne completed our line-up in Ballina as she finished 19th overall and tenth Senior athlete, giving her fifth overall in the League.

Emily Reynolds was the only Leitrim competitor in the U13 Girls race as she finished 34th while in the U15 event Kirsty McHenry finishing 22nd.

Thanks to all the parents who travelled with athletes to Ballina and for sending us back a few photos that you can see on Facebook.

KENNEDYS GO ONE-TWO AGAIN AND BRONZE FOR U12 LADS

Superb 4th place finish for Eoghan Farrell as Ellie O'Rourke & Kirsty Henry also take home Connacht medals

New Irish Masters International Michelle Lannon performs well again

Congratulations to all our members who competed in the Western Region Cross-country at Sligo Racecourse, a very well organised event on a tough course that tested every aspect of the cross-country runner.

Pride of place once again goes to the Kennedy twins who finished first and second in the U12 Boys race, Declan finishing the stronger over the final big hill to take the gold ahead of his brother Patrick. Both lads held back a bit at the start and it paid dividends as they moved into the lead after 700m and were never threatened after that.

Behind them we had three lads making their Connacht debuts and what debuts they were - Oran Butler and Riaghan Guckian are both a year out of their own age group but produced brilliant runs to finish 23rd and 26th while Ben Clarke showed great strength to come through the field and finish strongly.

With the great runs of the lads, they all brought home two medals - we claimed third in the team competition while Declan, Patrick, Oran & Riaghan were part of the scoring six with Mark & Niall Ahern that finished third in the Inter-county race. A great day out.

Eoghan Farrell may have gone home without a medal but he produced a breakthrough performance - running out of his age group in the U18 6,000m, Eoghan stormed through the field and was so full of running that, reminscent of the way his uncle Padraig used to attacks hills, he was closing on the bronze medal all the way to the finish line.

Unfortunately, Eoghan ran out of room but took a good many scalps in an excellent performance that anyone who has seen him training over the last few months knew was coming.

Ellie O'Rourke and Kirsty McHenry also won Connacht bronze medals as part of the Leitrim team who finished third in the Inter-County race. Ellie started strongly and was well up. She, as she admits herself, went through a bad patch but rallied strongly to finish 11th in the race run with U18 & U20 Girls.

Kirsty McHenry started a bit more cautiously but again showed that strength that we all see at training over the second half to come through for 15th place and a great run ahead of her own age group next Sunday in Ballina.

Unfortunately for the third of our gang in the race, it wasn't a good day as a recurrance of a back injury meant Lauren Reynolds had to drop out and anyone who knows or has trained with this tough athlete, it takes a lot to stop Lauren from finishing a race. She'll be back flying soon.

Brendan Kennedy produced a superb performance as well to finish ninth in the U14 Boys race. Left a little on the line when the field took off on "on your marks", Brendan worked his way through the field to qualify strongly for the All-Ireland Finals.

Emily Reynolds was our last Juvenile in action and despite feeling unwell before the start, she ran strongly in the U14 race, a good preparation for next Sunday's U13 race in Ballina.

In the Adult races, Michelle Lannon and Susanne O'Beirne competed strongly in the Women's race while Ken Kennedy and Michael Keane produced two excellent runs in the Men's race - although we're wondering if Michael will agree to Ken's suggestion again of a nice cross-country run.

Thanks to all our athletes for their efforts today, even more special thanks to the parents who came along to cheer on each and every one of them especially Lorna Kennedy, Paddy Guckian, Paula Butler, James, Ann & Hannah Farrell and Ronnie Clarke.
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ATHLETICS FIXTURES 2018-2019

As we get ready to start back to training next week after the Summer break, we thought we'd let you have an idea of what the year ahead entails with the most recent Athletics Fixtures list for cross-country and Track & Field events for clubs and schools.

Please remember that the dates and times are all subject to change and that we do not have dates for events like the North Connacht and Connacht Schools Cross-country or Track & Field events. Likewise, there are no dates for local, county or national community games events.

Leitrim events are in black - for our Roscommon members, as the Club is registered in Leitrim, we compete in the Leitrim Championships.

A reminder too about entries for Connacht and National events. All entries for Juvenile members MUST go through the Club - you can contact the Club Secretary John Connolly with queries.

Entries for Seniors/Masters for Connacht events must go through the Club - entries for National events can be done by the athlete themselves through the Athletics Ireland website.

All entries MUST be paid for before the completed entry form is submitted.

Finally, the best of luck to all our members racing over the next 15 months!

2018

Wednesday October 3: Leitrim Primary Schools Cross-country in Leitrim Gaels Community Field 10.30

Wednesday October 10: Clonliffe Schools Cross-country 12.00 (PS), 1.00 SS)

Saturday October 13: Connacht Primary Schools Cross-country - Galway 12.00

October 20/21: Leitrim Cross-country Championships

Sunday October 21: Autumn Open Cross Country Festival

Sunday November 4: Connacht Even Ages Cross-country - Sligo 12.00

Sunday November 11: Connacht Uneven Ages Cross-country - Mayo 12.00

Sunday November 25: AAI Senior, Junior & Juvenile Even Age CC - Abbottstown

Sunday December 16: AAI Novice & Juvenile Uneven Age CC - TBC

Saturday December 29: North West Games - Athlone

2019

Saturday January 12: AAI National Indoor League RD1 - TBC

Sunday January 20: Leitrim Juvenile Indoors - 12.00

Saturday January 26: AAI National Indoor League RD2 - Athlone

Sunday January 27: Irish Life Health Junior and U23 Indoors - Athlone

Saturday February 2: AAI Indoor Games - Abbottstown

Sunday February 3: Irish Life Health National Inter/Master, Juv B & Relays XC

Wednesday February 13: AIT International - Athlone

February 16 & 17: Irish Life Health Senior Indoors - Abbottstown

February 23 & 24: Connacht Indoors - Athlone

Saturday March 9: Irish Life Health All Ireland Schools Cross Country

Sunday March 10: Irish Life Health Masters Indoors - Athlone

Saturday March 23: SIAB Schools Cross Country International Dublin

March 30/31: Irish Life Health Juvenile Indoors Day 1 & 2 - Athlone

Saturday April 6: Irish Life Health Juvenile Indoors Day 3 - Athlone

Wednesday May 1: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 1 (TBC)

Sunday May 12: Leitrim Primary Schools T&F - Manorhamilton 6.00

Wednesday May 15: Leitrim Team Finals (Juvenile) - Sligo; Dublin Graded T&F Meet 2 (TBC)

Thursday May 16: Connacht Schools T&F (Provisional)

Sunday May 19: AAI National Outdoor League Rd 1

Wednesday May 22: Leitrim Track & Field Championships - Sligo 6.00

Wednesday May 29: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 3 (TBC)

Saturday June 1: Irish Life Health All Ireland Schools T&F - Tullamore

Saturday June 8: Connacht Track & Field - Galway

Wednesday June 12: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 4 (TBC)

Saturday June 15: Connacht Track & Field - Sligo

Saturday June 22: AAI Games; Irish Life Health Tailteann Games - Santry

Wednesday June 26: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 5 (TBC)

Saturday June 29: AAI Childrens Games & Limited U12-13 Events - Tullamore

Sunday June 30: AAI National Outdoor League Rd 2

July 3-14: World University Games - Portugal

Saturday July 6: Irish Life Health Junior and U23 Outdoors

Sunday July 7: Irish Life Health Juvenile Outdoors Day 1 - Tullamore

Wednesday July 10: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 6 (TBC)

July 14 & 15: Irish Life Health Juvenile Outdoors Day 2 & 3 - Tullamore

Saturday July 20: AAI National Outdoor League Final - Tullamore; SIAB Schools Track and Field - Swansea

Sunday July 21: Irish Life Health Juvenile B’s & Relays - Tullamore

Wednesday July 24: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 7 (TBC)

July 27 & 28: Irish Life Health National Seniors - Santry

Wednesday August 7: Dublin Graded T&F Meet 8 (TBC)

Sunday August 18:  Irish Life Health Masters T&F - Tullamore

Wednesday August 21: Morton Games - Santry

September 7-17: European Masters T&F - Italy

September 28-October 6: World Championships - Qatar

Saturday October 12: Connacht Primary Schools Cross-country

Sunday October 20: Autumn Open Cross Country Festival

Sunday November 3: Connacht Even Ages Cross-country

Sunday November 10: Connacht Uneven Ages Cross-country

Sunday November 24: AAI Senior, Junior & Juvenile Even Age CC - Abbottstown

Sunday December 15: AAI Novice & Juvenile Uneven Age CC - TBC