2016 News

Well done to Clare Sullivan who ran a very strong race to win the Ladies Novice Cross Country Championships in the Phoenix Park yesterday. Clare was up with the leading pack from the start and made her break for victory up the long straight to the finish. Meanwhile in the mens novice race Robert Murphy equally kept with the leading pack over the 6,000m course and finished strongly to come in second. Robert led his team home to the gold medal position and was supported by Eoin McLoughlin 8th, Donagh Powell 12th and Neil Bolger 13th. Other finishers from the Club were Aaron Brown 32nd, Greg Byrne 35th, Neil Skelton 36th and Oisin Bowland 82nd. The ladies team finished 5th. Clare was supported by Lynne Hennessy 5th, Suzanne Ryan 22nd and Una Rice 56th. The full results are on the Dublin Athletics Board website and pictures of all who ran are in the Gallery and on our Facebook site at Rathfarnham AC. Well done to all. Click on the pictures below to get to either Gallery.

Clare on her way to victory and Robert running in for second.

Gold medal winning team

Ladies Novice team.

Well done to all 904 finishers in today’s New Ireland Rathfarnham 5k Run out of 1,080 entrants. In dry, sunny but blustery conditions we had a very close battle up front with Mark Christie from Mullingar Harriers just edging out Freddy KERON Sittuk, Raheny Shamrocks in an identical time of 14.26. Brian Maher, Kilkenny was third. In the ladies race Laura Shaughnessy, DSD, won in 16.30, Siobhan O’Doherty, Borrisokeane was second in 16.42 and Caroline Crowley, Crusaders, third in 16.45. Sam Allen, Donore Harriers won the junior men’s race in 16.02 and Carla Sweeney, Rathfarnham WSAF AC won the junior ladies race. In the men’s team race Raheny Shamrocks won, with Rathfarnham WSAF AC second and St. Abbans third. In the ladies team event Crusaders won, with Donore Harriers second and Sportsworld third. In the Junior men’s team race Rathfarnham WSAF took the honours. All the results are on the MyRunResults website. Pictures of all who ran are on our Facebook site at New Ireland Rathfarnham 5k Run. Well done and a great thank you to all who ran.

The statistics show that there were 8 under 15 minutes, 29 under 16 mins., 68 under 17 mins., 190 under 20 mins., 427 under 25 mins and 669 under 30 mins., surely the fastest 5k course in the country. Well done and a great thank you to all who ran. Put the last Sunday in September, the 24th, in your diary for next year’s Rathfarnham 5k Run.

Thanks to New Ireland Assurance for being our main sponsor again in 2016 and to Macarthy Auctioneers, Rathfarnham, Jackie Kingston Sports Massage and Rathfarnham Dental Practice as support sponsors. Many thanks to all who helped around the course today from early morning to afternoon, to all who helped in Terenure College Registration and at registration in the Clubhouse on Friday and Saturday. Also a special thanks to all who helped for the Juvenile races which were run before the 5k, at both the starts and the finish line and for the sponsorship of the prizes which were engraved, dated and displayed our Club logo. Thanks to all.

Mark Christie on his way to victory today.

Laura Shaughnessy coming in to win the ladies race.

The 8 week Fit4Life programme came to a close last Tuesday with a 5km test in Loreto Park. After battling wind and rain and just over four laps of the park, Gavin Stapleton and Jenny O'Malley (see picture) proved to be fastest man and lady of the evening. It was a delight to see how much the group progressed over the 8 weeks of the programme. Well done to all who took part, we hope to see many of you stay on with the club. A big thank you also to everyone who volunteered to coach the sessions each week.

Turlough Conway won the Wicklow Mountains Half Marathon over a hilly course from the Wicklow Gap to Laragh in 1:34. Greg Byrne finished the Barcelona Marathon in an impressive 2:43. Bohermeen Half Marathon results not available.

https://www.facebook.com/wicklow.marathon/photos/a.685079128181346.1073741828.685018911520701/1057642957591626/?type=3&theater

Brian competing in the Dublin Marathon

Valerie (#101) competing in the Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championships 2015 in Tymon Park

What sports did you play in school and college?

Like most children growing up I was involved in a lot of sports. I used to do a lot of swimming, played basketball with the school teams, played Gaelic football with the local club, school and County. When I started secondary school I joined Carrick on Shannon Athletic Club. 

When and why did you choose athletics as your sport?

I always enjoyed running from an early age and I was influenced by watching athletes such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Catriona McKiernan, Paula Radcliffe and Dame Kelly Holmes competing. The friendly atmosphere within Carrick AC and in particular Coach John Connolly made committing  to athletics an easy decision for me.

What does a typical week consist of?

A typical week for me would consist of an hour’s run on the Curragh Plains, County Kildare most mornings before work along with 2-3 clubs sessions on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I would normally finish the week with a long run on a Sunday. 

What's your strongest distance/race?

10km – Road.

How has being a member of Rathfarnham AC added to your experience of the sport?

Since joining Rathfarnham AC in late 2011 I have had the opportunity to meet and train with likeminded people and take part in races I wouldn’t have otherwise entered.

What are your most satisfying achievements in athletics and life?

Winning the Schools Connaught Cross Country and team silver at the Community Games in Mosney was an extremely proud moment as a child; also winning the annual Defence Forces 10k Road Race on consecutive years (2012 & 2013) was a standout achievement.

What advice would you give to other busy individuals trying to balance their career, personal life and training schedules?

It always helps to plan your weeks training in advance and try to find the gaps in your schedule. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do as this makes it easier to find the time.

Who inspires you in life and sport?

I find myself inspired by those around me as there as several fantastic athletes in Rathfarnham AC at every age category and discipline.

If time, talent and money were no obstacle, what event or adventure would you most like to take part in?

Rio 2016 Heptathlon 

What are your goals for 2016?

As Ladies Captain I would like see as many ladies as possible compete and medal in Championship Races in 2016.

The 2015 Rathfarnham Athletics Running Review is now available at the following links:

2015: A Running Review (Issu version)

2015: A Running Review (pdf version)

Contents of the 2015 Review include:

• Juvenile Antics and Adventures
• Rathfarnham’s Leading Ladies
• Senior Men at the Races
• Rathfarnham 5k Race Report
• University Exploits
• Rathfarnham Juniors
• World Masters
• WSAF Juniors
• Club Races and Volunteers
• Sean's Marathon Mission
• David Scanlon on Cross Country
• Stephen Gaffney on Track
• Exercise in Life
• Developing Club Facilities
• Club Management Team
• Annual Club Athlete Awards

On Tuesday 19th January Rathfarnham WSAF AC welcomed 38 new faces to the club with the start of the Fit4Life group. Despite many modest comments concerning running ability, the level of fitness of the group on day was higher than expected. The group were introduced to Loreto Park, got to grips with some running drills and took to their first medley relay. Thankfully all the smiles they started off with hadn't disappeared by the end. Great start to 2016!

Photo: Dave Power

Commemorating our many great achievements in 2015, we held our Annual Dinner and Prize giving on Friday 15th January 2016 in the Grange Golf Club, Rathfarnham. Thanks to Denis Daly for organising along with many other club members who helped out with photos, prizes, etc. We were joined by Antoinette and Michael from the Dublin Athletics Board and Athletics Ireland respectively.

After dinner, MC Owen McLoughlin guided us through proceedings, including a great review by Club President, PJ Claffey (just back from training in Cork with Rob Heffernan). The club awards are the highlight for many and it was great to see so many super achievements across road, track and cross country. All age groups have had success, at Dublin, Leinster, National and International level. Owen rounded off events with his guitar to play "the song". It got Bono's thumbs up, with Owen's cover of "One" renamed "Run".

Athlete of the Year - Stephen Gaffney for his remarkable performances in the 100m and long jump.

Male Awards

• Cross Country - David Scanlon
• Road - Seán Hehir
• Consistent performance - Brian Furey & Louis McCarthy

Female Awards

• Newcomer - Louise Gaffney
• Road - Valerie Cole
• Master- Maria Dolan
• Senior - Lynne Hennessy

Pictures of all awards winners are in the Gallery.

2016 Captains

Congratulations to Valerie Cole and Brian Furey on the year ahead. A huge thanks to Lorraine Nolan and Paul Stephenson for their leadership in 2015.

David Scanlon represents U23s in Edinburgh

David Scanlon did us proud on Saturday when he represented Ireland on the U23 team that placed 3rd in the Celtic Nations International in Edinburgh. David had a strong run, being the first Irish runner home in 4th place ahead of Rick Nally and Karl Fitzmaurice. Full report on Athletics Ireland.

Rathfarnham WSAF AC had a great day at the Dublin Masters CC in St. Anne's Park, Raheny on Sunday 10th January. On a sunny winters' day, a large field took part in both male & female races. Well done to all who ran.

In the men's race over 6km, the Men's M50 team won the gold medal. The M35 team won the Silver medal. Shane O'Neill was second, Paul Fleming was third and they were followed by Ronan Kearns and Brian Furey.

In the women's race over 3km we had 10 ladies taking part. Results not available yet.

Full results are available on http://dublinathletics.com/. Photos on Facebook at Rathfarnham AC and in the Gallery.

F35 team 8th

F40 Donna Mahon 2nd (7th overall)

F40 Vanessa Sallier 28th

F45 Alyson Caraher 48th

F50 Miriam McCormack 63rd

F45 Zoe Melling 73rd

F40 Sue Ryan 74th

F40 Helen French 81st

F35 Sue Ryan 88th

F60 Helen Ingram 2nd (97th overall)

Teams: M35 2nd, M50 1st

M40 Shane O'Neill 2nd (1st M40)

M40 Paul Fleming 3rd (2nd M40)

M40 Ronan Kearns 5th (3rd M35)

M35 Brian Furey 16th

M35 Michael Freely 26th

M40 Turlough Conway 39th

M50 Paul Moran 41st (3rd M50)

M50 Tom Bishop 57th

M50 Joe Casey 61st

M45 Denis Daly 72nd

M55 Tom Cuddy 92nd

M55 John Farrelly 98th

M55 John McHugh 107th

M55 Sean Doyle 117th

M55 Terry Clarke 131st

M45 Eric Cullen 137th

M50 Derek Bain 145th

David Scanlon represents U23s in Edinburgh

David Scanlon did us proud on Saturday when he represented Ireland on the U23 team that placed 3rd in the Celtic International in Edinburgh. Full report on Athletics Ireland.

  F35 Team

M35 team (silver medal)

  M50 team (gold) and M35 team

The rescheduled Waterford AC Half Marathon took place on Saturday 9th January. Mick Clohisey (Raheny AC) and Claire Gibbons-Mccarthy (Leevale AC) were the overall winners in a field of over 1,300 runners. Rathfarnham had two runners, with Michéal Murphy 103rd in 1:27:15 and Michael Devine 260th in 1:35:41. Full results on TotalTiming.ie.

Congratulations to Paul Stephenson and his wife Edwina on the birth of their daughter Elsie. We wondered why Paul didn't feature in the results of this race, but now we know he had a great excuse!

We are happy to announce that the Rathfarnham WSAF AC Fit4Life Programme will run again this year. Details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday January 19th 2016 - Tuesday 8th March 2016 (8 Consecutive Tuesdays)

Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Location: Loreto Park, opposite Nutgrove Shopping Centre, see the link below for the exact meeting point (Note that this is in the middle of the park NOT at Leicester Celtic as it was last year)

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zkbFTxJHLlcs.kyTUZulmwF00

Cost: €25 for 8 weeks. Sign up online at: http://www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie/membership/fit-for-life-membership/levels.html