Kerryman Article 9/8/09

Kerry Senior athletics took a huge step forward last weekend when both the mens and womens teams finished second in division one of the ESB National league final in Tullamore.These positions gain both teams promotion to the top flight of the national league and will compete with such athletics powerhouses as Clonliffe,Tir Chonaill and Ferrybank in the premier division in 2010.
    The womens team finished on a total of 118 points only one point behind division one winners Kilkenny.This was a huge achievement for the team as they lost five athletes to injury and illness during the week namely Claire Fitzgearld,Laura Crowe,Emma Leen,Ciara Walshe and Karen Curran.The fact that the team were able to put in such a performance missing athletes of that quality is a testament to their ability and determination.
   Wins on the day came from Emma Preniville in the 1500m walk,Margeurite O Connor pole vault,Eilish Fitzpatrick 100m and 200m,Sinead O Connor long jump and triple jump and the 4x100m relay team of Dearbhaill Foley,Eilish Fitzpatrick,Sinead O Connor and Ailbhe Courtney.Others to perform extremely well included Mary Fitzgearld fifth 1500m,team captain Katie O Shea second shot and third hammer,Ailbhe Courtney  second 400m hurdles and third 100m hurdles,Mary Theresa Moynihan third in both the javelin and discus and Emma Prendiville 5th in the high jump.
   The mens team were fighting it out with Limerick for the second promotion spot as Derry seemed to have the competition wrapped up early in the day.Coming into the last event Limerick and Kerry were level but the limerick 4x400m relay team was rumoured to be red hot therefore making them favourites.Team captain Colm Lynch was leading off the team and was drawn in the worst lane of lane 8.He was forced to run blind with the other 7 teams chasing him so took off like a hare being chased by greyhounds;coming into the home straight he had a commanding lead which got the team off to a great start.Luke O Keeffe ran the second leg,Padraig Whelan the third and Cian Foley the last leg.Coming down the home straight Cian was being chased down by both Sligo and Limerick and he had to stay ahead of Limerick for us to gain promotion and he dug deep when it looked impossible and held on by 0.1 seconds to finish third ahead of Limerick ensuring the mens team would follow the womens team into the premier division next season.
   Wins for the mens team on the day came from James Nagle hammer and 56lb,Daniel Clifford Shot and discus and Niall Prendiville 3k walk.Seconds came from Cian Murphy in the 5000m,Patsy O Connor Javelin,the 4x100m relay team of Maurice O Connor,Colm Lynch,Padraig Whelan and Cian Foley.Thirds were achieved by Maurice O Connor 110m hurdles and long jump,David Hogan pole vault and the mens 4x400m relay team of Colm Lynch,Luke O Keeffe,Padraig Whelan and Cian Foley.Others to perfrom well were PJ Galvin fourth high jump,Colm Lynch fourth in both 200m and 400m,Cian Foley fifth in the 100m,Dara O Carroll sixth 800m,Stewart Nolan sixth 400m hurdles,Dylan Roche sixth triple jump and Ed Murphy sixth 1500m.The mens team finished on a total of 114 points.
   At the end of the day both teams were estatic when receiving their silver medals and even though both teams are very young they are all relishing the challenge of fighting it out with the big guns in 2010.There are many future stars in both teams and it is hoped that their introduction to senior athletics through this fantastic competition will help in their transition from juvenile and junior competition to the senior stage.Well done to all involved including Team managers Shane Delaney and Martin Fitzgearld.


The Woody’s DIY National senior track and field championships were held in Santry in Dublin on August 1st/2nd.A handful of Kerry athletes made the journey with one medal in the from of bronze from Sinead O Connor Tralee Harriers returning to the county in the triple jump.Sinead had a best jump of 10.97m which was also a personal best to secure the third spot.Others who performed well included Daniel Clifford farranfore mainevalley in the shot and discus,Colm Lynch Iveragh in the 200m and 400m,Cian Murphy also Iveragh in the 5000m and Colm Rothery Gneeveguilla in the 800m.


On the International stage Ailbhe Courtney of St Brendans AC competed in the Celtic Games in Carmarthen in Wales on August 1st/2nd.Ailbhe was competing the 300m hurdles where she had a solid race to finish second and also led off the Irish 4x300m relay team which won gold.


Well over 100 participated in the 20th annual Kilgobnet 4 ml road race. The Fr Michael Kelliher Memorial cup was won by former olympian Noel Berkeley of Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
 
Senior Men
1. Noel Berkeley,  DSD         20.46
2. Arthur Fitzgerald, FFMV    20.55
3. Joe O'Connor,  Riocht       21.02
4. Tim O'Connor, Riocht        21.06

 Senior Ladies
1. Trish O'Donnell, Tralee Harriers  25.13
2. Anna O'Shea, GG                    26.42
3. Elaine Cronin, GG                    29.00

 Junior Men-1. David Murphy, Star of The Laune

 O.40 Men-1. Brendan King,  Iveragh 21.54
2. P.J. Fitzgerald, Waterville          
O.45 Men-1. John Lenihan, Riocht    21.29
2. Humphrey Murphy, Riocht
O.50-1.Tom Shanahan, Riocht 23.04
O60-1.Pat Cleary, Tralee  27.55
O.65-1.Jim Langan, Tullamore  28.54

 Junior Ladies-1.Karen Curran, Iveragh  26.35
 2.Niamh Clifford, Star of the Laune
Ladies O.35-1.Zoe Melling, Rathfarnam  27.04
2.Mary O Connell, Gneeveguilla  
O.40-1.Mary O Connor, Riocht  26.48
2Margaret O Leary, G.guilla
O.45-1.Caroline Murphy, G,guilla  27.33