Senior Section News

- A slightly quieter week than of late with just the Ardmore ‘5’ Miler on Friday evening next on the local fixture list. This race takes place on what is a relatively fast course and always attracts a good entry from Midleton AC. This year Kevin Smith is hoping to organise a bus with a minimum of 10 people required. If you wish to travel please contact Kevin without delay. Note the race begins at 7.30pm. (see previous post for details)


New Race In Cloyne

That 7.30pm start is going to become common place from now on as the autumn evenings begin to creep into view. It has been arguably the busiest summer ever on the Cork road scene as numerous new races popped up in various parts of the county. Don’t forget that Cloyne will host a new 5K on Thursday September 9th in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The race is being organised by our club colleague Margaret Twohig who has already done a lot of work in promoting the new venture and deserves all our support on the big night. More information from 087-2094493.

Review

Our race review has plenty of pleasing stories to relate from a Midleton point of view, with the performances of some of our newcomers again making the headlines in recent weeks.

Mitchelstown 8K

We begin last Friday in Mitchelstown where the Ballyhoura Series continued with a new 8K race organised by the Galtee Runners AC. On the night Midleton AC had 5 competitors and our leading men Darragh Canavan (32:15) and Eric Owers (33:39) both performed splendidly. Ned Ramsell made it three races in three days, clocking just over 6:45 per mile he recorded a very satisfying 33:34. Marie Murphy and Colm Jordan also had fine runs.

Shanagarry

Twenty four hours earlier in Shangarry, the annual 5K to coincide with the Summer Festival had 88 finishers including 30 from our club. Here John O’Connell who is currently in outstanding form led our crew home in 18:55, followed by Karol Watson, another name from the newcomer’s file who is making a great early impression.
- Congrtas to Sally Drennan, 2nd lady overall and Anne Marie Perry 3rd lady overall who performed splendidly.
Local man Billy O’Sullivan, Conor McGrath, Donie O’Connell, Caroline Fletcher, Mary O’Keeffe, Vincent Connolly and Helen Geary were amongst our other runners to impress.

Novartis 5K

Moving the clock back to the previous evening, the Novartis 5K in Ringaskiddy was the focal point for close on 450 runners. Sally Drennan continued her fine form in the BHAA circuit by winning the Over 40’s. Kathleen O’Connell was also on the podium having finished 2nd in her category whilst John ’Connell led the Midleton UDC team to a team prize. Danny McCarthy, Michael Murphy and Philip Mullane were amongst our representatives to enjoy very good performances.

Carrigtwohill 5K

Michelle Nolan’s growing presence on the ladies scene was emphasized when she put superb back to back wins together in a three day period at the end of July. Firstly on familiar ground in Carrigtwohill Michelle produced a super effort (18:41) to win the ladies section in the superbly organised inaugural Carrigtwohill 5K.

No Less than 60 Midleton AC runners were involved as over 350 went to the race start line. Local man Marc Dalton excelled with a splendid 18:32 finish, which left him as second Midleton man home following our leading performer Noel O’Regan. Kevin Cooney, Kevin O’Reilly, John O’Halloran, Kevin Morrisson, Carrie Higgins, Brenda Day, Sinead Robinson and Ciara Coughlan all enjoyed positive performances.

Our individual prize winners included Sally Drennan (1st Over 40), Claire Fitzgerald (2nd Over 35), Marian Aherne (2nd Over 40), Margaret Barry (1st Over 55), Elaine Hennessy (2nd Over 50) and John Cashman (1st Over 45).

Kinsale 5 Mile

In Kinsale the Bank Holiday Weekend began with Michelle Nolan completing that quick fire double and in process beat the 30 minute barrier for the first time. Husband Brian is also enjoying a splendid year on the roads whilst the performances of fellow Carrigtwohill man John Carey are also making the head lines. John joined our club early in the year, but has put together a string of personal best performances over the past few months. He looks set to make further major strides in the months ahead judging by recent progression. Well done John! Donal Broderick and Marc Dalton also excelled in this race.


Route To Crook

Finally in our race review a word regarding last Sunday’s ‘Route To Crook’ 5 miler in West Cork.
Marc Dalton and Denis Kelleher made the long journey to the start line in Goleen and both produced big performances. Marc clocked 32:01 (6:24 mile pace) to finish a superb 16th overall. Meantime Denis who finished 286th in a field of 2,144 in the Streets Of Galway 8K on the previous evening, completed a quick double with a fine 37:08 finish in Crookhaven. So a great weekend for Denis who now sets his sights on a busy schedule of Half Marathons and Marathons beginning in Longford later this month.

Club Merchandise

- Just a reminder that a wide range of Midleton AC merchandise will go on sale next month. Our Clothing Officer Claire Fitzgerald has organised to have a full stock of singlets, t shirts, jackets and hats available once indoor training re commences in September.

Training

In the meantime, training continues as usual on Monday from 6pm at Midleton CBS and on Tuesday at 7pm from Midleton Community Centre.

Neilus Aherne

Our own club member Neilus Aherne, Sports/Holistic Therapist is the man to contact for any advice on injury prevention and treatment. In the countdown to some of the longer races now coming on the radar, it’s important to have the legs in tip top shape - Neilius may be contacted on 086-8438355 for appointment and advice.


Keep In Touch With Our Club

Before concluding a reminder again of the many ways in which you can stay in touch with Midleton AC. Check www.midletonathleticclub.blogspot.com for all regular updates. E mail contact is midletonac@ireland.com You may also have regular club news, updates and results sent directly to you via our club e mail service. Please give your e mail address to PRO John Cashman to avail of this service. Telephone enquiries regarding the club may be directed to Danny McCarthy on 087-2403940

Until next time – ‘keep on running’


Fixture List

Fri 13 – Ardmore 5 Mile – 7.30pm

Sunday 15 – Ballyhooly 10 Mile – 12.30pm

Wed 18 – Army/Navy 5 Mile – Naval Base – 7.30pm

Thu 26 – Ballycotton 5 Mile – 7.30pm

September

Wed 1 – PTAA 5K – Togher – 7.30pm

Fri 3 – Liscarroll 10K – 7.30pm

Thu 9 – Cloyne 5K – 7.30pm

Sun 12 – Cork Half Marathon – Blarney – 11am

Sun 26 – Cork City Women’s Mini Marathon

Oct 3 – Cork to Cobh 15 Mile