2009 News

At a fun filled party night in The Castle in Rathfarnham, we celebrated the end of the most successful year in Rathfarnham Athletics. Merit awards were presented to Tracy Jennings, Donna Mahon, Louise Cassidy, Helen Ingram, Zoe Mellling and Miriam McCormack. The masters men who were honoured were Owen Mc Loughlin, John McHugh, John Brennan, Adrian Tucker, Joe Casey and Brendan Hogan. The entire senior men's cross country team who won the Dublin Senior Cross Country Championships in November were also awarded. They were Barry Minnock, Sean Hehir, Mark Ryan, Paul Fleming, Michael Freeley, Eoin Flynn, Kevin Keane and Jonathan Hughes.

The Club Athlete of the Year award was won by Barry Minnock. Barry was presented with the Tom O'Driscoll Cup along with a training grant by former Olympian and athletic commentator Jerry Kiernan. Pictures of all the award winners are in the attachment.

We also remembered Derek Furniss who we sadly lost during the year. Derek's Club singlet and the Dublin Novice silver medal he won was presented to his partner Lesley.

Congratulations to Sean Hehir who has been selected to run on the Irish team in the Lotto Cross Cup in Moll, Belgium on the 8th of November. Sean is back in top form after a summer out due to injury, and had a great start to his Cross Country season with his 7th placing in the Gerry Farnan race last Sunday. Best of luck to Sean and his fellow team mates in Belgium.

Photo: Adam Jones

It is with sadness that we report the death of our treasured colleague Derek Furniss who was killed in an air crash, while training with the Air Corps in Galway, last night. Derek was a brilliant runner who trained and competed with the Club on regular basis, having just competed for the Club in the Dublin Novice Cross Country on Sunday. Our sympathies go to his partner Lesley and daughter Rebecca, who also runs with the Club, at this time. May he rest in peace.

Derek on his way to 10th place in the Dublin Novice last Sunday. Photo: Alan Cowzer

Derek competing in Rathfarnham 5k on October 4. Photo: Tom

We have just one day left before the Rathfarnham 5k. Enter from 8.00am in Terenure College for 22 euro to win one of these beautiful dress watches. Race starts at 10.00 am not any other time stated elsewhere. Final race instructions are set out in the attachment below. We hope you have an enjoyable race.

At Rathfarnham WSAF Athletic Club we offer a variety of training options every day of the week from Plyometrics/PE in Bushy Park to interval sessions around Rathfarnham Castle, long runs on Sunday morning from the Clubhouse around Bushy and Marley Park. Look at the Training section for details of times and location. Please look at pictures of our training sessions in Bushy Park and around the Castle in August 2009. Link

After a successful summer period of racing with impressive PBs and victories along the way, our clubs top athletes are ready to once again battle it out for Championship glory at the National Track and Field Championships this weekend in Santry.

On Saturday afternoon, Rathfarnham WSAF will have a strong team in the National 10k Team Championship. Leading the charge will be the impressive Barry Minnock just off the back of PBs in the 800m,1500m and 3000m and a dominant performance in his recent IMC 3k victory last Saturday. This track speed combined with his endurance from a successful cross country season will no doubt ensure Barry

Best of luck to Adrian Tucker who tomorrow will attempt to be the first to complete the arduous Wicklow Round, which involves navigating the summits of 26 peaks in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains in less than than 24 hours. His journey will begin at 1pm tomorrow on the Military road near the base of Kippure. All going well, 105 kilometres and 6000 metres of climbing later, he'll finish in the same spot at approximately 10am on Sunday.

Further information on the Wicklow Round and updates of Adrian's progress can be found on the IMRA site.

Rathfarnham WSAF Senior Men

The National Intermediate & Masters Cross Country Championships of Ireland will be held in Tymon Park on 15th February 2009

Programme starts with Masters Ladies at 1.00PM. The course map and location mat is attached for your reference.

The National Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships scheduled to take place on 15^th February in Santery Demense will now be held in Tymon Park. The timetable of events remains unaltered. Changing facilities will be available in Faughs GAA Club Wellington Lane, This is also the venue for registration and presentation. Refreshments will be available after the races. A race and location Map will be available on this site shortly.