2014 European championship tickets

After the world championships in Moscow this year, friends and fans of athletics are already turning their attention to the next major highlight in our sport - the European Athletics Championships Zürich 2014. The championships will be held between 12 and 17 August at Letzigrund Stadium. We greatly look forward to welcoming many fans from all over Europe. Zürich 2014 will be an unforgettable athletics festival to both competitors and fans.

Demand for championship tickets sales has been very high, to avoid disappointment click on the below links and phone numbers to book yours.

Day packages will be on sale as of 4 November 2013. Please refer to our website for information on the following:

·       Tickets, categories, map of the stadium:                www.zuerich2014.ch/en/group-1/tickets (or see attached JPG file)

·       Programme of events per day:                                www.zuerich2014.ch/en/group-1/programme-of-events (or see attached PDF file)

·       Accommodation:                                                         www.zuerich2014.ch/en/group-2/accommodation STC, our accommodation partner, has made reservations for fans (various price categories).

How to order tickets

·       Purchase your tickets online at www.zuerich2014.ch/en/group-1/tickets as of 4 November. The maximum amount of tickets per order will be 5 day packages per order and purchaser.

·       If you would like to visit Zürich 2014 as a group, kindly e-mail our office at office@zuerich2014.ch, indicating the name of your club or group, the day of your intended visit, the number of tickets you wish to purchase, the block/price category you prefer, and a billing address. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at +41 44 388 20 13.

Meath Secondary Schools cross country

Franciscan College, Gormanstown once again hosted the Meath Secondary School cross country competition. Fr Ailbe O Mhurchu had a little suprise in store this year as he reversed the usual 1000m lap course which gave the athletes a slight drag to contend with. Conditions were perfect underfoot which is the usual standard in Gormanstown. Twenty one secondary schools attended and a total of 389 students competed. Results are as follows:

Minor Girls 1000m

1. Amy Clarke, Scoil Mhuire, Trim
2. Sarah Ennis, Scoil Mhuire, Trim
3. Eva Cummins, Our Ladys College, Greenhills

Team

1. Scoil Mhuire, Trim
2. Our Ladys College, Greenhills
3. St Michaels Loreto, Navan

Junior Girls 1000m

1. Eimear O’Neill, Eureka Secondary School
2. Nicola Duffy, St Peters College, Dunboyne
3. Petra Reilly, Dunshaughlin Community College

Team

1. Dunshaughlin Community College
2. Eureka Secondary School
3. Our Ladys College, Greenhills

Inter Girls 1500m

1. Aine O’Connor, Rathoath College
2. Sarah Armstrong, Eureka Secondary School
3. Amber Roche, Rathoath College

Team

1. Rathoath College
2. St Ultans, Navan

Senior Girls 1500m

1. Isobelle Fox, St Peters College, Dunboyne
2. Vicky Harris, Wilsons Hospital
3. Allanaha Edger, St Peters College, Dunboyne

Team

1. St Peters College, Dunboyne

Minor boys 1000m

1. Reality, Francisan College, Gormanston
2. Johnathon McDonagh, St Patricks Classical School, Navan
3. Ryan Sheridan, St Patricks Classical School, Navan

Team

1. St Patricks Classical, Navan
2. Dunshaughlin Community College
3. St Peters College, Dunboyne

Junior boys 2000m

1. Paddy Maher, Dunshaughlin Community College
2. Jarlaith Jordan, Dunshaughlin Community College
3. Peter Martyn, St Patricks Classical, Navan

Team

1. St Patricks Classical School, Navan
2. Dunshaughlin Community School
3. St Josephs

Inter boys 3000m

1. Eoin Smyth, St Patricks Classical School, Navan
2. Philip Marron, Rathoath College
3. Alan Monaghan, St Patricks Classical

Team

1. St Patricks Classical School, Navan
2. Rathoath College
3. Boyne Community College

Senior boys 3000m

1. Rob Tully, Franciscan College, Gormanston
2. Mark Molloy, Franciscan College, Gormanston
3. Conor Rennicks, Kells Community College

Team

1. Franciscan College, Gormanston

Treacy and Coscoran win national bronze medals

Well done to Sara Treacy,Mpynalvy Kilcloon AC on her great performance to finish third at the AAI inter counties cross country in Santry. 
In the junior mens race Andrew Coscoran, Star of the Sea AC finished third and led the county team of Robert Tully, Kieren Bowers, Ahmed Hussein Abdi,Gavin Maher and Daniel Byrne to silver in the inter county competition. 

Senior and junior results here
http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/interco3013.pdf

Successful Meath performances in Adamstown

Adamstown in south Wexford was the venue for day two of the Leinster cross country championships on Sunday. There was a strong Meath representation with a number of notable individual and team results. The condition of the course and event organisation was a credit to Athletics Leinster and the local organisers Wexford Athletics.

Outstanding performances from the Meath under 15 boys team who along with Gold for Alan Monaghan and Bronze for Paddy Maher occupied four of the top ten slots. Alan Monaghan put in a very strong and mature run taking control from the off. He went into an early lead and at no stage during the race did his lead look to be in any danger. He crosssed the finish line twelve seconds clear of Dunleer runner Jack McCullough to add a second provincial cross country victory
to the under 16 title which he claimed in Dunboyne a fortnight ago.
Ratoath AC under 11 girls were led to victory by Aimee Doherty, with great team support coming from Ella Healy, Aoife Rutherford and Lili O'Connor. The county squad including the Ratoath girls finished second in the inter counties contest. Deirdre Healy , Ratoath took second place in the girls under 17 behind the prodigious Siofra O'Flaherty, SLOT in Carlow. There will be a good representation from the county in the Leinsterr team which will go forward to next months national uneven ages championships at Carriganore outside Waterford city.
In the mens intermediate race Loughlin Campion,Dunboyne AC went bracely with the early pace of the 8km race. After two kilometres of action a trio of Campion,Carol Cronin, Sportsworld, and Brian Kirwan, St Laurence O'Toole broke away from the field and continued a close tactical tussle until Cronin made a decisive move with about 800 metres to go. He opened an eight or ten metre gap on a downhill section but Campion stuck to his task and over the final run towards the finish Campion claimed back ground and reduced the margin to a few strides at the finish.
Next Sunday 17 November the AAI senior inter counties and  the national even ages, under 10/12/14/16/18 championships will be staged in Santry Demesne. This venue is well known to cross country fans as it was the venue for the 2009 European championships. The action gets underway at 11.30 am. There is optimism Meath athletes will get among the medals individually and as club or county teams given the strong performances at the provincial deciders which were so well hosted by Dunboyne AC last month.

Individual Results.
Boys under 15; Meath had four runners in the top 10. Alan Monaghan,1st,Paddy Maher 3rd,Alex Hunter,4th.

Girls under 15;Nicola Duffy 7th,Amy Clarke,10th,Sara Clarke,11th.
Girls under 17; Deirdre Healy,2nd.
Girls under 19,Ciara Rooney,5th.
Boys under 19; Gavin Maher,10th.


Intermediate men,Loughlin Campion,2nd.

Club and county team results

Girls Under11;Second County Team;Ratoath AC first club team; Aimee Doherty,Ratoath,Ciara Smyth,Cushinstown,Ella Healy,Ratoath,Aoife Rutherford,Ratoath,Lili O'Connor,Ratoath,Doireann NíFhlatharta,Dunboyne,Chloe Frazer,Dunboyne,Emma Lyons,Dunboyne,Roisin O'Connor,Dunshaughlin,Jenna Gonsalves,Trim,

Boys Under 13;Second County Team;Thomas Reilly,Dunshaughlin, Meath,Shane Smyth,Cushinstown,Meath,Jake Cullen,Tara,Cian McNulty Casey,Star of the Sea,Luke Mitchell,Dunshaughlin,Paul O'Brien,Tara,Luke McCarthy,Dunshaughlin,Christopher Clarke,Na Fianna, Antony Slawski,Na Fianna.

Girls Under 15; Second County team,Na Fianna third club team;Nicola Duffy,Dunboyne,Amy Clarke,Na Fianna,Meath,Sarah Clarke,Na Fianna,Aine O'Connor,Ratoath,Martha Reidy,Fr. Murphy,Eva O'Donovan,Navan,Hannah Gilligan,Trim,Emma Neary,Na Fianna,Sarah Daly,Na Fianna,Grainne Cullen,Bohermeen, Niamh Fahey,Trim.

Boys Under 15; First County team; Alan Monahan,Bohermeen A.C,Paddy Maher,Dunshaughlin,Alex Hunter,Ratoath,Kevin McGrath,Bohermeen A.C,Jarlath Jordan,Tara,Jonathon Nangle,Trim A.C,Liam Shaw,Trim A.C,John Halton,Trim A.C,David Hawes,Tara,Eanan Peppard,Bohermeen A.C,Gareth Doyle,Ratoath,Sean Byrne,Tara,Evan Butler,Dunshaughlin.

Boys Under 17; Third county team;Eoin Smyth,Cushinstown,Philip Marron,Ratoath,Ciaran Crowther,St.Andrews,Ciaran Leech,Na Fianna,Ciaran McCarty,Ratoath,Paul Gill,Na Fianna.

Correction to results

NOTE Corrections 
The following chages were discussed and rectified at the November meeting of Meath Athletics Board.

Girls U14 second team was St Andrews AC
Boys U10 Tie for first place between St Brigids AC and Ratoath AC.

SENIOR MEN;1,Darragh Rennicks,Bohermeen AC,1,Andrew Coscoran,Star of the Sea AC,3,Robbie Mathews,Dunshaughlin AC,4,Thomas Moran,Dunshaughlin AC,5,Loughlin Campion,Dunboyne AC,6,Ciaran O’Dwyer,Dunshaughlin AC.

CLUBS;1,Dunshaughlin AC,22pts,2,Bohermeen AC,37pts,3,Dunboyne AC,46pts.

SENIOR WOMEN; 1,Fiona Mahon,Dunshaughlin AC,2,Karen O’Hanlon,Dunboyne AC,3,Emilia Dan,Dunboyne AC,4,Geraldine Gill,Bohermeen AC,5,Siobhan Byrne,Fr. Murphy AC,6,Shauna Moore,Dunshaughlin AC.

CLUBS;1,Dunshaughlin AC,14pts,2,Dunboyne AC,19pts,3,Bohermeen AC,23pts.

JUVENILE RELAYS
Boys U16;1,Ratoath AC,2,Bohermeen AC,3,Tara AC.
Girls U16;1,Bohermeen AC,2,Cushinstown AC.
Boys U14;1,Dunshaughlin AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Bohermeen AC.
Girls U14;1,Dunshaughlin AC,2,St Andrews AC,3,Bohermeen AC.
Boys U12;1,Tara AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Cushinstown AC.
Girls U12;1,Ratoath AC,2,Dunboyne AC,3,Fr Murphy AC.
Boys U10;1,FIRST PLACE TIED between St Brigids AC & Ratoath AC,3,Trim AC.
Girls U10;1,Cushinstown AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Dunshaughlin AC.

Senior Cross Country 2013

Senior cross country titles for Mahon and Rennicks.

The 2013 Meath senior cross country championships took place at Ardbracccan House on Sunday. The autumn colours on the trees and the rolling parkland course were a wonderful setting for the championships.The senior titles were won in impressive style by Fiona Mahon, Dunshaughlin AC and Darragh Rennicks in the colours of the host club Bohermeen AC. 

In the womens race Fiona Mahon took control of proceedings from the gun.The former All Ireland intermediate cross country champion remains a force to be reckoned with in Irish distance running. Her early pace saw her open up a gap in the first lap over Karen O'Hanlon, Dunboyne AC and newcomer Siobhan Byrne, who is coached by Mick Priest at Fr. Murphy AC. She worked steadily thoughout the four kilometres making light work of the uphill sections through the woodland. The placed runners engaged in a closer contest with Emilia Dan,Dunboyne AC , runner up in the Leinster Masters last weekend finishing strongly to get up for bronze behing her clubmate O'Hanlon. 

In the mens race there was joy for the local club when their star runner, Darragh Rennicks put on a perfect display of brave front running to claim the title. The Bohermeen runner was never in any danger throughout the eight kilometre contest. In runners up spot seventeen year old Andrew Coscoran,Star of the Sea AC made a notable step up to senior championship running when he pulled clear of the experienced Robbie Matthews, winner of the recent Dublin Half marathon in the final kilometre.

In the women inter clubs competions there was a double for Dunshaughlin AC. The womens team of Mahon,Shauna Moore and Ursula Byrne winning with a margin of 5 points over their neighbours from Dunboyne AC. It was even more impressive for the Dunshaughlin mens squad of Matthews,Thomas Moran, Ciaran O'Dwyer and Mick Summerville who had 15 points to spare ahead of their nearest rivals Bohermeen AC. 

The date for these championships was switched from its traditional pre Christmas date this year. It was disapointing that the numbers taking part in the senior events were well down on previous years.The proximity of the date to last weekends Dublin Marathon and the Leinster masters,novice,intermediate championships seem to be the main factors. The participation levels will no doubt be considered in depth at this week county board meeting.

In contrast he switch of date for the juvenile cross country relays proved popular with clubs. There was a massive turnout by clubs from throughout the county on what proved to be a popular date in contrast to the adult races. The decision by the host club to stage the races over a 250 metre loop created a really exciting atmosphere. The under 10s and 12s competed over four 250m legs while the under 14s and under 16s ran four 500 metre legs.

Next weekend the attention of Meath athletes will turn to the Leinster uneven ages and intermediate championships at Adamstown in Wexford .There is optimism within the county that some of the emerging juvenile talents who performed so well at the first day of the Leinsters in Dunboyne last weekend will deliver the goods once again.

Wins for Mahon and Rennicks in the Meath Senior cross country

SENIOR MEN;1,Darragh Rennicks,Bohermeen AC,1,Andrew Coscoran,Star of the Sea AC,3,Robbie Mathews,Dunshaughlin AC,4,Thomas Moran,Dunshaughlin AC,5,Loughlin Campion,Dunboyne AC,6,Ciaran O’Dwyer,Dunshaughlin AC.

CLUBS;1,Dunshaughlin AC,22pts,2,Bohermeen AC,37pts,3,Dunboyne AC,46pts.

SENIOR WOMEN; 1,Fiona Mahon,Dunshaughlin AC,2,Karen O’Hanlon,Dunboyne AC,3,Emilia Dan,Dunboyne AC,4,Geraldine Gill,Bohermeen AC,5,Siobhan Byrne,Fr. Murphy AC,6,Shauna Moore,Dunshaughlin AC.

CLUBS;1,Dunshaughlin AC,14pts,2,Dunboyne AC,19pts,3,Bohermeen AC,23pts.

JUVENILE RELAYS
Boys U16;1,Ratoath AC,2,Bohermeen AC,3,Tara AC.
Girls U16;1,Bohermeen AC,2,Cushinstown AC.
Boys U14;1,Dunshaughlin AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Bohermeen AC.
Girls U14;1,Dunshaughlin AC,2,St Andrews AC,3,Bohermeen AC.
Boys U12;1,Tara AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Cushinstown AC.
Girls U12;1,Ratoath AC,2,Dunboyne AC,3,Fr Murphy AC.
Boys U10;1,FIRST PLACE TIED between St Brigids AC & Ratoath AC,3,Trim AC.
Girls U10;1,Cushinstown AC,2,Ratoath AC,3,Dunshaughlin AC.

Meath athletics board 2013 convention.

The Convention of the Meath Athletics County Board will take place on Wednesday 4^th December 2013 at 8.00 pm sharp in Claremont Stadium, Commons Road, Navan.

  Nominations Form.  Motions and Nominations for the Convention should be forwarded to Philip Cogavin before Friday 8th November 2013 in order to facilitate timely dissemination to all Clubs in advance of the Convention.  Motions received after this date will not be accepted for consideration.  Motions regarding competition are not proper to the business of the convention and should be raised at a Competition Committee meeting.

 Please note that following on from motions passed at the 2006 Convention there may only be one President appointed.  The office to be held for one term only.  This office to be filled from amongst nominations received from clubs, such nominations having being considered by a committee set up for such purpose who will recommend one name from amongst those nominated to the Convention for appointment as President.

 A significant number of Officers are stepping down this year, and I would appeal to all clubs to consider putting forward one from amongst their own members for consideration for one or more the posts. Please ensure that all those being put forward as officers or postholders are aware, and have consented, to their names being put before the Convention.Motions being put forward for Convention will be considered by a Standing Orders Committee convened for such purpose, in advance of the Convention.  The members of the Standing Orders Committee for this AGM will be appointed at the November County Board meeting.

Nominations and Motions should be sent to: Philip Cogavin,Secretary, Meath Athletics County Board, 3 The Grove, Earls Meadow, Ballivor, Co. Meath  Or preferably emailed to Philip.Cogavin@gmail.com

County seniors in action at Bohermeen

The Meath senior cross country championships will take place at Bohermeen on Sunday 3 Noveember. The action will get underway at 12 noon. Also down for decision on the day will be the juvenile cross country relays u/10 and u/12 race 4 x 250m while u/14 and u/16 compete over 4 x 500m.

Remembrance Run 2013

The second Remembrance Run 5K takes place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, November 10th- starting at 11am. This year’s unique event- which welcomes Walkers, Joggers and Runners- will again have a Special Remembrance Theme- remembrance of friends of family passed or people close to us who may currently be struggling with illness or other life challenges.

Remembrance Run is organised by Athletics Ireland in association with www.mycharity.ie Participants are encouraged to adopt a favourite charity andwww.mycharity.ie will enable participants to create a fund- raising web page for your adopted charity.

This will again be a Special Day in the Phoenix Park- a day to celebrate our own gift of days and fullness of health. The event will also benefit grass roots athletics in Ireland- especially the young aspiring stars of the future. Athletics Ireland now has over 40,000 members-of which the biggest proportion are juvenile athletes who need every support possible.

This year’s Remembrance Run will, like last year, have a special musical theme and the anthem for the event is the late Luke Kelly’s brilliant interpretation of that wonderful song- Thank You For The Days.

Patrons for this year’s Remembrance Run include Irish Athletics Icons- John Treacy, Sonia O’Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan.  Resister early for this event and make a commitment to remember someone special on Sunday, November 10th.

This event, organised by Athletics Ireland in association with mycharity.ie, will have a special remembrance theme of family or friends who have passed on, or who are currently struggling with illness or other life challenges. Remembrance Run will be a unique event that will encourage people of all levels of fitness to Walk, Jog or Run together over 5 kilometres in the Phoenix Park on a November Sunday morning, while remembering and dedicating their participation in the event to family or friends.

The entry fee is €20 for individuals and there is also a family rate of €50 for families of four. Each finisher will receive a specially designed souvenir candle, a certificate and a goody bag to mark their participation in this special themed event that will on the day include a unique mix of music and special commentary. To find out more about the event and to enter seewww.remembrancerun.ie or call Tel: (01) 886 9933

For Irish Runner Editor Frank Greally, the Remembrance Run has special significance.

“I have had the idea for this event for a while and I feel that now is the right time to put it into action. I have found this a difficult year, with dear friends like Con Houlihan and my brother in-law Leo Fitzpatrick passing on and other close, lifelong friends struggling with illness and other life challenges.

“Many people will have had similar experiences; together we can celebrate the Gift of Life with family and friends in the Phoenix Park on Sunday November 11th at 11am. This will also be an opportunity to celebrate our own Gift of Days and to make a donation to a favourite charity through www.mycharity.ie.”

Remembrance Run will be a unique experience for theWalker, Jogger or Runner. The month of November is a time of remembrance for everyone at year’s end – an ideal time to remember family and friends passed and present and to celebrate our own gift of days and fullness of health. Participants in Remembrance Run will also be encouraged to adopt a favourite Charity to fundraise for. This is where www.mycharity.ie will provide a direct link to over 450 charities – local and national – that participants can choose from. Those who choose to fundraise for a favourite charity will be able to access their own fundraising page dedicated to that charity. This is a chance to ask your family members and close friends to give a little that can mean a whole lot to a charity of choice.

Individual Entry This event, organised by Athletics Ireland in association with mycharity.ie, will have the special theme of remembrance of family or friends who have passed on or who mat at this time be struggling with illness or other life challenges. Each finisher will receive a specially designed candle, a certificate and a goody bag to mark their participation in this special themed event that will on the day include a unique mix of music and commentary. Charity Participants in Rembrance Run will also be encouraged to adopt a favourite Charity to fundraise for. The website www.mycharity.ie will provide a direct link to over 300 charities - local and national - that participants can choose from. Registration Fee €20.00 Family Entry 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children over 16 Registration Fee €50.00

Meath wins at Leinster Day 1

Dunboyne AC hosted the first day of the 2013 Leinster country championships on Sunday. The club provided an excellent course with a good covering of grass which stood up well to the rigours of the weather and over 1500 competitors for all but two of the fourteen races on the programme. The events were well supported by clubs and counties thoughout the province.

Meath runners put in a number of notable performances. The best results of the day came in the under age grades. The recent schools and county wins for Amy Clarke continued at provincial level for promising Na Fianna member, Amy Clarke. She took the under 14 title in style with Dunboyne runner Nicola Duffy delighting the local supporters in the runner up spot. Amy Clarke led the county to silver and her club to runner up spot also in the inter clubs.Alan Monaghan took the under 16 title in a commanding performance and led a formidable county team to inter county victory.
Deirdre Healy,Ratoath returned from recent injury to score a fine win in the under 18 girls . Her coach Gerry Finnegand described it as follows,"At the end of the 1^st lap in her U18 Leinster race Deirdre had a slight lead from Rachel Butler (St Senan’s AC) with Aoibhe Richardson (KCH) and Roseanne Healy (Mullingar) giving chase. Deidre pushed on in the 2^nd lap and opened up a substantial lead over Rachel to cross the line with 8 seconds to spare while Rachel held onto the silver medal with a one second margin over Roseanne Healy (Mullingar)." 

In the novice mens race Meath were second county team and Dunboyne AC were third in the inter clubs grade. There were strong performances from Thomas Moran, 5^th, and Loughlin Campion, 6^th, well to the fore throughout the race.

The Meath masters women were second in the their event with Emilia Dan crossing the line in the silver medal position. The mens over 50 team finished second in their category on a total of 43 points. The uneven ages and intermediate teams for the day 2 of the Leinster cross country championships at Adamstown, Co. Wexford, will be announced this week. In the meantime the county senior cross country chamionships will be staged at Bohermeen next Sunday. Also down for decision will be the juvenile inter club relays for U/10/12/14/16s. Action gets underway at 12 noon.

Summary of Meath results;

Masters men 35, 5^th county team, Masters men 50, 2^nd county team.

Masters women, 2^nd county team , Emilia Dan,Sonya Reilly,Mary Hanly,Bridget Clarke,Imelda Clarke,Mary Watters. Na Fianna 1^st club team W45. Mary Hanly,Bridget Clarke,Imelda Clarke.

Novice men; 2^nd county team, Thomas Moran,Loughlin Campion,Kieron Peters,John O Reilly,Rory Kavanagh,Paul Gannon.. The Dunboyne quartet of Campion, O Reilly, Kavanagh and Gannon were the 3^rd club team home.

Girls under 18, 1st, Deirdre Healy, Ratoath.

Boys under 16. 1^st Alan Monaghan. 1^st county team, 62 points, Alan Monaghan, Alex Hunter,Philip Marron,Paddy Maher,Eoin Smith,Peter Kilgannon. Ratoath AC 3^rd club team, Alex Hunter,Philip Marron, Peter Kilgannon,Brian Kiernan.

Girls under 14. 1^st Amy Clarke,2^nd Nicola Duffy. 2^nd County team with Sarah Clarke,Petra Reilly,Emma Neary and Hannah Gilligan. 2^nd club team, Na Fianna, Amy Clarke,Sarah Clarke,Aisling Byrne, Emma Neary.

Boys under 12 3^rd Shane Smith, Cushinstown AC.

Meath novice, masters and even ages CC photos

Selection of novice and masters photo from MEATH CC Day 1 in Stamullen

http://s23.photobucket.com/user/meathathletics/library/Masters%20Novice%20and%20Even%20ages%20CC%202013?sort=3&page=1

Info re Leinster CC in Dunboyne

Leinster Novice, Masters & Even Age Cross Country Championships atDunboyne, Co. Meath, on Sunday the 27th of October 2013.

 

1) Please note that while the clocks go back this weekend, everyone is advised to arrive early.

 

2) The first race is off at 11.40am, where Dunboyne AC is organising a short non championship race for Girls & Boys U/10 - Fee is €1.00 per athlete, payable on the day (further details are attached).

 

3) The first of the Leinster Championship races commences with the Girls U/12 race at 12.00noon, while subsequent races will go off at the following expected times:

 

Boys U/12 - 2,000m - 12:15.

Girls U/14 - 3,000m - 12:25.

Boys U/14 - 3,000m - 12:40.

Girls U/16 - 4,000m - 12:55.

Boys U/16 - 4,000m - 13:15.

Girls U/18 - 4,000m - 13:30.

Boys U/18 - 6,000m - 13:50.

Novice Ladies - 4,000m - 14:15.

Novice Men - 6,000m - 14:40.

Masters Ladies - 4,000m - 15:00.

Masters Men - 6,000m - 15:25.

 

All numbers need to be collected (at a tent on the Course) 45 minutes before each race, with NO on the day entries or amendments allowed.

 

4) Venue and Parking remain the same as last year – map of the course & map giving directions to Dunboyne are attached).

 

5) Athletics Leinster will be using Precision Timing for all Championship races and while all Juvenile & Novice Individual Medals will be presented straight after each race, we ask all parents, athletes & coaches to be patient with us as Club & County Team results are worked out.

 

6) Athletics Leinster will require additional Officials on the day & so each County is asked to please nominate 2 Officials to help out - thanks.

 

All queries to Frank Kilrane – Cross Country Secretary – afkilrane@gmail.com / 087 6771572.

 

Yours in Sport,

 

Martin J Heery

Leinster Secretary

Dunboyne Athletic Club

Under 10 Open Boys and Girls Cross Country Races

All Under 10 Athletes are invited to join the older even age competitors attending the Leinster Cross Country event in Dunboyne, County Meath on Sunday the 27^th of October 2013.

Prizes for the first six individual Boys and Girls home.

Medals for the top three Boys and Girls teams (Maximum of six per team - with top four scoring).

Race is 1000 meters long. The course is flat and will suit the younger athletes. Race time is 11.40am sharp.

Entry on the day.

Fee of one euro per athlete.

Leinster Athletics FIT4LIFE YOUTH INITIATIVE

At our recent Athletics Leinster Meeting Geraldine Nolan gave an excellent presentation on the new Fit4Life Youth initiative, advising of the following:

 

- Background to the initiative:

- The initiative came about due to concerns raised around the:

1.        Fall off in the number of Junior men and women, in particular mid distance and cross country.

2.        Scarcity of the ‘Training to Train’ phase in terms of L.T.A.D. as cited by Itsvan Bali. Athletes exit the system without ever reaching their potential, often despite many years of ‘club structure and input’... Too much / too young / too soon.

3.        Level of consideration and lack of understanding given to various ranges of maturity / physical / mental / emotional within club athletics structure.

4.        In adequate provision for ‘ease of entry point’ for teenagers into club athletics. If an athlete is not started into athletics as U12 to U14, what is the likelihood of them joining into an already well established training group from U15 to U18 years?

5.        General fitness of Irish teenagers, particularly girls and boys who do not play ‘team sports’.

 

- Aims:

- Fit4Life Youth is not aimed as a ‘quick fix’ attempt to the falling numbers but rather a long term view of looking at the bigger picture and complementing what is already working in juvenile / junior club athletics with the focus on:

1.      Instilling and helping to foster an awareness of fitness and an enjoyment of running over a set period of weeks, with the aim to build up to 5k in a ‘Learning to Run’ programme that is paced and carefully monitored, while increasing incremental distance.

2.      Giving opportunities to explore field events as part of the programme i.e. Shot / Javelin / Jumps and encouraging participants to understand that ‘Athletics’ encompasses other disciplines other than ‘running’.

3.      Identifying talent and encouraging participants who may naturally have developed an interest / aptitude for a more structured approach or a particular event into the club that bests meet their need.

4.      Helping to foster a positive attitude to health and fitness that will become a ‘life skill’.

5.      Helping build confidence and self esteem with future possibility of linking in a self development workshop to encourage confidence, motivation and positive attitude. Thereby supporting new skills and empowering participants to continue to commit to regular and ongoing exercise, whilst tapping into previous unrealised talents / strengths and natural abilities.

 

- Geraldine also outlined how Clubs can start up a Fit4Life Youth Programme, giving advice on who to target, how / what to advertise and when / where to host this proposed programme.

- Who to target:

1.      Find 4 to 6 equally committed individuals from Fit4Life / College/ Athletic club who have a genuine interest in teenage fitness, an understanding of ‘the bigger picture’ who’s willing and available to commit to the programme.

2.      Attempt to find a gender balance in ‘leaders’.

3.      Encourage all leaders to complete the Child Protection and Code of Ethics Course, while also have them Garda vetted.

Clubs and Counties can forward an expression of interest for this new Fit4Life Youth initiative through Pat Ryan – RDO with Athletics Ireland (patryan@athleticsireland.ie), with same to be followed up with Geraldine.

Womens teams for novice and masters CC in Dunboyne

NOVICE WOMENS TEAM

Shauna Moore	Dunshaughlin AC
Elaine Plunkett	St Brigids AC
Eileen Rahill	St Brigids AC
Geraldine Gill	Bohermeen AC
Sharon Monaghan	Fr. Murphy Ac
Marie Masterson	St Brigids AC
Theresa Coffey	Bohermeen AC
Caroline Reid	Dunboyne AC

MASTER WOMENS TEAM

Sonia Reilly (O/35)	Bohermeen AC
Bridget Clarke (O/45)	Na Fianna AC
Imelda Clarke (O/45)	Na Fianna AC
Ursula Byrne (O/45)	Dunshaughlin AC
Imelia Dan	Dunboyne AC
Olivia Martin (O/40)	Bohermeen AC
Ann Hunter (O/45)	Dunshaughlin AC
Mary Watters (O/50)	Navan AC
Maggie Higgins (O/40)	Na Fianna AC
Roisin Bell (O/40)	Dunboyne AC
Margaret Neary (O/45)	Na Fianna AC
Deirdre Farrell (O45)	Star of the Sea AC
Mary Hanley	Na Fianna AC
Phyllis Browne (O/60)	Star of the Sea AC
Fiona Reid	Dunboyne AC