Kerryman Article 7/2/08

Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) competed in the Celtic International
Indoor Cup in Cardiff, Wales on Sunday last. She was giving away a number
of years to her competitors but still finished 2nd in the Junior Women’s
Shot at with a putt of 12.69m.
Also out in appalling weather for the Kingdom at the Finn Valley Complex,
Ballybofey, Donegal, in the National Inter-County Relays and Cross-Country
were the Kerry U14 girls team who won a gold medal for their blazing
performance in the 4 x 600m relay. Their team consisted of Eimear Foley,
Hannah O’Sullivan , Annie Sheahan (all Gneeveguilla) and Niamh Deltora
(Farranfore/Maine Valley). The sub on the team was Rebecca Lynch (Lios
Tuathail) and she finished 4th in the U13 individual 1km.The Lynch family
were out in force with brothers Kieran finishing 10th in the ind U11 800m
(there were medals for first 10) and Jeremy jumping up a year to finish
16th in the U15 2km. Maura Fitzgerald and Chris O‘Malley (Farranfore/Maine
Valley) came in 1st and 4th in their respective U19 cross-country races,
with Michael Brennan (Spa/Fenit/Barrow) picking up a bronze in the boys
U17 event.
Donal O’Callaghan (An Ríocht) competed in the Dungarven 10 mile road race
and came in 3rd with a time of 54.26 mins. Again an admirable feat in such
terrible weather conditions !

AWARDS NIGHT
On Friday night, the annual Kerry A.A.I awards ceremony was held at the
Killarney Oaks hotel. The attendance was great and the hotel must be
thanked for hosting the evening and also Jean Courtney for organising the
event.
Denis McSweeney was the MC for the evening and received a standing ovation
from those gathered for his contribution to Kerry athletics in his role as
Kerry A.A.I. Secretary Although he is stepping down from his role after 7
years he assured everyone he will still be involved with athletics for
many more to come ! He welcomed everyone and congratulated all the award
winners. He then introduced Martin Fitzgerald the Kerry A.A.I. chairman
who spoke of the many sporting achievements over the past year and the
hopes for 2008 for athletics in the county. He and Shane Delaney then
presented the club awards to the athletes nominated by the clubs. These
are not necessarily all medal winners but those who show dedication and
commitment to their clubs in all their endeavours.
Michael Heery, President of the Athletic Association of Ireland as guest
speaker, spoke of the accomplishments of the Kerry Athletics and hoped for
more to come in the future. He and Shane Delaney the presented trophies to
the county award winners, special achievement award winners and the hall
of fame award, which this year went to Timmy Griffin who was a fine
athlete in his youth and also coached Clounalour AC athletes to many
successes. He may be known best for his role as a reporter whose
campaigning for more unity in Irish athletics was rewarded, when the AAI
was formed in 2000.

County Award Winners
Masters Men Cross-Country & Road - Patrick O’Shea (Iveragh AC). 1st
European 10K Road Race in Germany, 2nd European Half Marathon, 1st Munster
Road and Cross-Country, 1st National 10k Road, 1st National marathon.
Masters Women Track & Field - Sheila O’Donoghue (Gneevguilla). 1st Hammer
and Long Jump, 2nd in Discus and National Masters. 1st long jumps, 2nd
Shot at National Masters Indoors.
Masters Men Track & Field - Patsy O’Connor (Tralee Harriers). 1st in Shot,
Discus, Javelin, 56lbs for distance and High Jump at National Masters. 1st
shot & High Jump at National Indoors.
Junior Men Track & Field - Daniel Clifford (Farranfore/Maine Valley). 1st
in Shot & Discus at Munster Juniors. 1st Shot at Munster Indoors. 3rd Shot
at National Juniors.
Junior Women Track & Field - Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers). 1st in
Javelin, Discus and shot at Munster Juniors.1st in Munster Indoors Shot.
1st in Discus and 2nd Javelin at National Juniors.
Junior Men Cross Country & Road - Tomás Bradley (An Ríocht). 1st County
Junior Road. 1st in County Junior Cross-Country.
Junior Women Cross Country & Road - Eimear Tangney (Spa/Muckross). 4th
Munster Junior Cross-Country. 2nd in U17 & U18 Cross-Country. 8th in
National U17 cross-country winning a medal with Munster team
Juvenile Track & Field (male) - Niall Prendiville (Farranfore/Maine
Valley). 1st National Champs. Walk indoors and outdoors. 1st Munster
Champs. Walk indoors and outdoors. 1st in Munster and National Colleges
walk.
Juvenile Track & Field (female) Eilish Fitzpatrick (Gneevguilla). 1st
National U17 100m. 2nd National U17 200m. 1st in 100m, 200m and triple
jump at Munster Championships.
Juvenile Cross Country (male) Dean Crowley (Gneevguilla). The only Kerry
athlete to take gold at the Munster Juvenile Cross-Country Championships
when he won the U10 race in Bilboa.
Juvenile Cross-Country (female) Mary Fitzgerald (An Ríocht). Cross Country
Champion U16 & U17. 2nd in County Junior Cross-Country. 4th in Munster U17
Cross-Country. 4th in All Ireland Schools Cross-Country.

Special Achievement Awards
Conal O’Callaghan (Spa/Muckross), won gold as part of the 4x100m relay at
schools international in Cardiff. Claimed gold in both 100m and 200m at
Munster Juvenile Championships
Phillip Kearney (Tralee Harriers), won the National decathlon title and
also universities indoor combined events in a CPB, as well as 2 gold’s at
the Munster Senior Track and field
Thómas Griffin (An Ríocht), reached final of the long jump at the world
masters championships. He also set new Irish masters 1 records in the long
jump (6.01m)and 100m (11.51)

Club Awards
An Riocht - Kate Dennehy, has excelled in hammer competitions winning a
silver medal in the Munster championships. Sarah O’Connor, Munster gold
medallist in the javelin and bronze medal winner at the Nationals
Estuary - Thady Finucane, won the shot at the county championships and at
Munster Schools. Also competes in javelin and hammer. Darragh McDonnell,
she has competed in very National track and field final since 2001 winning
2 gold and 2 bronze in the relays
Farranfore/Maine Valley - Marie Flynn, Munster U17 gold medallist in
hammer and 2nd in discus. Shane Hand, 1st in the U17 hammer and 2nd in
discus at Munster’s. Also won Munster schools hammer.
Gneevguilla - Michael O’Neil, ever present at all competitions be it
cross-country, road and field. Ciara Coffey, one of the longest serving
juveniles in her club. Part of Gerry Hogan’s county squad.
Iveragh - Jack Daly, was Kerry best placed finisher in the All-Ireland
cross-country, also member of the Munster team who won the gold medals.
Dawn Lynch won the U18 and Novice cross-country titles, and also won the
Munster B cross-country .
Killarney - Niall O’Riordan, one his clubs most successful athletes has
won medals for sprints, long jump and high jump amongst others
Lios Tuathail - Eoin O’Muircheartaigh, Munster indoor and outdoor gold
medal winner in walks. Jamie Barry, Member of the 4x100m relay team who
set a new CBP when winning the Munster championships.
Spa-Fenit-Barrow - Katie Rogers, very committed club athlete, she was 2nd
in the county 800m and 2nd in the National B. 800m. Cian Sayers, won the
county championship and the county community games 600m.
Spa/Muckross - Laura McLarnan, a great ambassador for her club, she took
bronze in the U12 600m at the county Championships. Cliona Browne, is a
dedicated club member and attends most events. U15 100m champion
St Brendan’s - Orla McCarthy, being honoured for her outstanding
dedication to training and being a great example to her club mates. Conor
Slattery, a Munster and National medal winner both indoors and outdoors.
Star of the Laune - Liam Carey, Munster indoor 600m champion, 2nd in
National B cross-country. Niamh Clifford, a promising middle distance
runner who has been well placed in county cross-country championships.
Tralee Harriers - Michael Godley, Munster juvenile long jump champion and
silver medallist in national 80m hurdles. Derbhail Foley, silver medallist
at Munster juvenile pentathlon. Member of bronze medal winning 4x100m
relay team.
Well done to all our competitors and award winners this week


Fixtures coming up next weekend
Scottish U13/U15 Indoor Championships Sat 9th.
Scottish U17/U20 Indoor Championships Kelvin Hall Sun 10th Feb
AAI Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Wexford Sun 10th Feb
Good luck to all those competing