CARRICK AC JUVENILE GROUPS RETURN TO TRAINING

Carrick-on-Shannon AC are pleased to announce that Juvenile training will resume on Tuesday October 4, and that we will be returning to Carrick-on-Shannon Sports Complex this winter.

Training will be held on Tuesdays at the following times for the following groups:

Athletes born 2013:                           5 pm to 5.50 pm (Indoors)

Athletes born 2012 & 2011:                6pm to 7 pm (Indoors)

Athletes born 2010, 2009 & older:       6pm to 7pm (Outdoors)

There will also be an indoor circuit training session for athletes born in 2010, 2009 and older each Wednesday in Carrick Sports Complex from 6pm to 7pm

There is a €3 weekly fee for training – for our first term of four weeks up until the Halloween break, we are reverting to cash payments as we finalise our online payment structure. Please put your €12 in an envelope marked with the athlete’s name – if more than one family member in the club, please include all names on the envelope.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL THOSE WHO ATTEND TRAINING MUST BE FULLY REGISTERED MEMBERS OF CARRICK-ON-SHANNON AC

Our membership year runs from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 so if you are already a fully registered member and need not do anything else.

If you are looking to register a new family member, please do so through the link at https://membership.athleticsireland.ie/ - however, please note that membership period elapses on December 31, and must be renewed in 2023.

Please note we are not accepting any new members born 2014 until January when a new group will be taken in. This group will join the 5pm session on Tuesday evenings in the New Year.

Also please note that we do not take any members born 2015 or later.

One final request, as space is limited in the Sports Complex, could any members who are not intending to return to training this winter please let us know so that we can offer spaces to any potential new members who might not get the chance to join otherwise. 

We will be delighted to see everyone back at training but we understand that sometimes interests change or there are time constraints with other obligations, both sporting, work and school, so if any child is not returning, could they please contact our Secretary asap.

Any queries to Club Secretary John Connolly at connollyjohnb@gmail.com

GERARD & EANNA STAR IN SANTRY STORM

Congratulations to our speedy international duo Gerard O'Donnell and Eanna Madden who again underlined their status among this country's top athletes when they finished in the medals at the Irish Life Health Athletics Ireland Senior Track & Field Championships in Morton Stadium in Santry last weekend.

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON AC ARE SPONSORED BY BRADY INSURANCE CARRICK-ON-SHANNON

Gerard and Eanna, both members of the Dublin Sprint Club training group, are almost like a double act at this stage and it would be easy to take for granted the continuing high standards they set themselves and continually meet because winning a National Senior medal of any colour is not a common occurence! We really are very lucky to have them in the royal blue of Carrick AC.

To say conditions were tough last weekend is an understatement with athletes battling winds that reached speeds of minus 8.3 metres per second during Gerard's 110m Hurdles Final on Saturday, testing the resolve and technique of all athletes.

Gerard claimed a silver in Saturday's 110m Hurdles Final, losing out by just two hundredths of a second after a race marred by a clash of hands that robbed him of momentum midway through the race. Gerard finished like a train but was just unable to catch Crusaders' Matthew Behan, his lunge for the line leaving him second with a time of 15.63 to Behan's 15.61 seconds. 

It was disappointing for Gerard to lose his title after five consecutive wins, we're sure he will be back but we must also offer our congratulations to Matthew Behan on winning his first national senior title.

Eanna claimed a superb bronze in the 400m Final on Sunday evening, really showing strength and experience to come through despite running blind from lane eight. Eanna won his heat on Saturday in a time of 49.23 but as the slowest of the qualifiers, it left him out in lane eight for the final.

But Eanna made light of the lane draw, a blistering first 100m setting him up nicely. Contesting the lead with eventual winner Chris O'Donnell from North Sligo at the halfway point, Eanna was right in contention with Clonliffe's Marcus Lawler who started to edge ahead as both entered the final straight. Eanna surged again as the finish line approached but ran out of track as as O'Donnell won in a time of 46.82 with Lawler second in 47.94 and Eanna third in 48.11.

Alannah McGuinness was also in action over the weekend, running a time of 26.99 on Saturday in the 200m heats into a wind of minus 2.5 m/s and 13.27 in the 100m heats on Sunday into a wind of minus 2.8 m/s - Alannah is also training with the lads and the Dublin Sprint Club crew and is showing the benefits in her performances and improved technique of working with such a great group.

The last member of the Carrick AC Dublin Sprint Club contingent is Cathal McElgunn but unfortunately, a slight strain during training a couple of days before the Nationals ruled Cathal out of competing in the 400m but hopefully, he will get back in action quickly. 

Special thanks to Jeremy Lyons, Aideen Sinnott and, of course, our own Gerard O'Donnell who are coaches with Dublin Sprint Club. The work they do is evident in the quality of performances of our athletes and their entire group with Sophie Becker's win in the 400m after a truly epic battle with Phil Healy one of the highlights of an amazing national championships - we really appreciate everything they do for our gang.

Carrick-on-Shannon AC delighted to announce new partnership with Brady Insurance Carrick-on-Shannon

 

Jane Brady, Managing Director of Brady Insurance, pictured with Carrick-on-Shannon AC Chairperson Siobhan Murtagh and Secretary John Connolly at the announcement of the sponsorship partnership Picture: Willie Donnellan

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club are delighted to announce a new partnership with Brady Insurance which will see the long established local company become the club’s first ever main sponsor.

The new partnership, which was announced on Monday afternoon, will see Brady Insurance of Carrick-on-Shannon become Carrick AC’s first ever main sponsor in a deal that will run for three years.

Brady Insurance Managing Director Jane Brady said “Brady Insurance are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club. As a local company with deep roots in the locality, we are aware of the good work that so many sporting groups do for the young people of the area.  

“We are aware of Carrick AC’s proud tradition, their success at Provincial and National level down through the years, and the many Carrick AC athletes who have donned the Irish vest. It is their work on the ground, with so many youngsters of all ages and all abilities down through the years, that attracted us to supporting the work of the club.

“This is why we, at Brady Insurance, as parents and proud locals, are delighted to have this opportunity to give something back to the area we live in and to support the fantastic work Carrick-on-Shannon AC do for children and the region.”

Carrick AC Club Chairperson Siobhan Murtagh welcomed the news: “We are so thrilled that Brady Insurance have come on board as Carrick AC’s first ever main sponsor. It is a big first for us and we are especially pleased to have such a strong local sponsor. Carrick AC, like so many sports clubs around the region, are constantly looking for finance to help us meet the day to day running costs of the club, be it buying equipment or renting facilities. 

“Having a sponsor like Brady Insurance come on board is a wonderful opportunity for which we are incredibly grateful.

“We would like to thank Brady Insurance for their support and we hope our members will support our new sponsors with their insurance business. Like our club, Brady Insurance are an institution in the area and we look forward to forging a great partnership together. ”

The news of the sponsorship agreement comes as Carrick-on-Shannon AC prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their foundation in October 2023 and will enable the club to make plans to mark that special occasion.

Brady Insurance was founded in September 1959 and is one of Ireland's most successful and well regarded brokers. They recently acquired Loftus Insurance and the company continues to go from strength to strength. They have customers all over Ireland and lead the market in terms of professionalism and high levels of service. Learn More about the company at www.bradyinsurance.ie  

LEITRIM & CONNACHT COMPETITIONS

With the outdoor season soon upon us, just an update to let our juvenile members know of the upcoming competitions at Leitrim and Connacht level.

We need to know which athletes are interested in competing in the various age groups so that we can arrange entries, etc.

The Club is solely responsible for entering athletes so if an athlete wants to compete, they must contact the club coaches or secretary John Connolly at connollyjohnb@gmail.com to let them know what events and age groups they wish to compete in.

All relay teams are picked by solely by club coaches.

U9, U10 & U11 Team Competitions

Athletes competing at U9 (born 2014), U10 (born 2013) and U11 (born 2012) do not compete as individuals but as Teams or pairs where they team up with another club athlete and their combined performances are added up to determine final placings. Athletes in these age groups must qualify for the Connacht Team Finals through the Leitrim Finals on Wednesday May 11.

We must stress that as this is a team competition and the athletes are entered as a pair, you must be available for both the Leitrim & Connacht Finals if you wish to compete

U12 & U13

Athletes competing at U12 (born 2011) & U13 (born 2010) are entered directly into Connacht but we would ask that they all compete at the Leitrim County Track & Field on Wednesday May 25, so that we can arrange relay teams.

U14 - U19

Athletes competing at U14 (born 2009) and up are also entered directly into the Connacht Track & Field and should compete at the County Track & Field competitions.

Dates & Venues

We'd ask all parents to ensure that their children are available to compete at Connacht and National level if they qualify or are entered into those competitions. The dates are as follows:

• Wednesday May 11: Leitrim Team Competition for U9, U10 & U11 boys & girls in Sligo
• Wednesday May 25: Leitrim County Track & Field in Sligo
• Saturday June 11: Connacht U9, 10 & 11 Team competition and U12 & 13 Track & Field in Sligo
• Saturday June 18: Connacht U14-19 Track & Field in Sligo
• Saturday July 2: AAI National Children’s Games - Tullamore
• Sunday July 3: AAI National Juvenile T&F Day 1 - Tullamore
• Saturday & Sunday July 9-10: AAI National Juvenile T&F Day 2 & 3 - Tullamore
• Saturday July 16: AAI National Juvenile Relays & B Champs - Tullamore

A date has been provisionally fixed for the Leitrim Primary Schools but it depends on the availability of venues

IMPORTANT: Any athlete wishing to compete in the U9, U10 & U11 Team events is asked to inform club coaches at training next Tuesday, May 2, or contact Club Secretary John Connolly at connollyjohnb@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Anyone needing any more information, contact John Connolly at connollyjohnb@gmail.com

2022 CARRICK AC MEMBERSHIP

Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club is delighted to announce that we are starting the process of renewing existing club membership for the 2022 season. 

Our registration system is through the Athletics Ireland Online Membership System which means that our members will be able to renew their memberships from the comfort of their own home. 

This new system will allow members access their membership details, update those details if need be, have access to their membership number and enter national championships through the portal if they wish. 

Our membership fees for the 2022 season are as follows: 

• Juvenile (U20 on December 31, 2003) - €28 
• Senior/Masters - €35 Juvenile 
• Family (3 or more) - €70 

There are several ways of renewing your membership or applying to join the club.

2021 MEMBERS

For existing members, the club will send out a membership link via email to any club members whose email address is inputted into the system. Simply follow the link attached and pay your membership depending on your age category. 

If you do not receive an email notification from the Athletics Ireland Membership system, contact Club Secretary John Connolly and provide your email address and a renewal notice will then be sent out. 

FORMER MEMBERS Depending on when you were last a member of the club, your details may still be stored in the system. 

NEW MEMBERS

For new members, the process is a bit simpler. Simply click onto the following link membership.athleticsireland.ie and follow the instructions, an application to join the club will be lodged and approved by the club. 

Apologies for the correct link not working in our earlier email

One note, we are holding off taking new members aged 8 in 2022 until we have a clearer picture of numbers and the availability of training facilities. We do not take members younger than this age. 

If the link is not showing up, the address is as follows: membership.athleticsireland.ie

If you have any queries, contact Club Secretary John Connolly at connollyjohnb@gmail.com

Silver on the double for U15 lads as Clara turns in best ever finish

 

Just catching up with the results today but some fabulous performances from our cross-country athletes in Loughrea on Sunday with the U15 Boys team and Clara Doherty really turning it on.

Clara was our highest individual finisher on the day, taking 5th in the U15 girls race for her highest ever individual finish, a great performance from a hard working athlete.

Our U15 Boys just missed out on a gold medal by two points when GCH pipped them in the team race 52 points to 54 points. Led home by Declan Kennedy in sixth with Patrick Kennedy ninth, Riaghan Guckian 17th and Kyle Lannon 22nd, this was an excellent team display.

The lads then teamed up with Ballinamore's Niall Ahern and North Leitrim's Luke Fitzmaurice to finish second in the inter-county race. Well done lads.

The Guckian sisters completed our Juvenile line up with Carragh finishing 51st in the U13 age group while Ornaith, still actually an U10, finished 21st in the U11 race. Well done girls.

In the Adult men’s league, Carrick AC duo Ken Kennedy and Michael Keane finished 25th and 30th overall in Loughrea with Ballinamore’s David Ahern 34th. That left David sixth overall in the Novice Men’s category while Adrian Gurn, who did not run in Loughrea, finished 10th overall, just one ahead of Ken in 11th with Michael 16th overall.

Five named on Connacht Squads

 

Congratulations to Clara Doherty, Sophie McCabe, Declan Kennedy, Cathal Enright and Toyosi Fagbo who have been named on the Connacht Academy Performance Squad for the coming season.

All give made the squad after finishing in the top three event in their events in Provincial championships and the first day the squad meets is Sunday November 14, at Dangan track in Galway

The squad dates and times are as follows:

• Sunday November 14: Galway (Dangan) - Development squad: 11 am - 12:30pm; Academy Squad: 1 pm - 3pm

• Sunday December 5: Galway (Dangan) - Development squad: 11 am - 12:30pm; Academy Squad: 1 pm - 3pm

• Dates in January & February to be confirmed

• Academy Squad: For athletes who achieved Top 3 in Provincial Championships.              

• Development Squad: For athletes U12 to U15  

The links are now available for athletes to register for both the Performance Squad and the Development Squad.

The Performance Squad is for the list of selected athletes from U16 to U19 (2022 age groups) and is based on results achieved at the 2021 Connacht Provincial Championships and 2021 All Ireland Championships.

The Development Squad is for Connacht athletes from u12 to u15 (2022 age groups).

• Performance Squad - https://eventmaster.ie/event/vKG8sPoSb4

• Development Squad - https://eventmaster.ie/event/wE7pFPySRQ

The full squad lists are available HERE for squad list.

Well done to the gang from everyone in Carrick AC!