St Brigids thank the schools

Hi everyone, On behalf of St. Brigid’s AC I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the schools for their participation in the Geraldine Dolan Memorial Cross Country Meet earlier today (Tuesday the 9th of October 2012), at Ballinacree, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. While the fine weather helped the occasion, it was the huge number of competitors (over 440 from 18 different schools) that turned up, along with all the teachers that made the day a success, so thanks very much. Final results are now attached, with congratulations going to St. Finian’s, Mullingar on winning the overall event & receiving the Geraldine Dolan Perpetual Cup. Looking forward to seeing you all back again next year. Yours in Sport, Martin J Heery Club Secretary

Meath cross country championships 2012

Meath cross country championships 2012. Novice Male; 1,R. Kavanagh,Dunboyne, 2, L. Campion, Dunboyne,3,M.McDonagh. M40; 1,D. Mahon,Trim,2,T. O’Neill,Dunboyne,3,S.Daniel,Trim. M45;1,T.Maher,Dunshaughlin,P.Glynn,Dunboyne,3,D.O’Connell,Bohermeen. M50;1,D.Clarke,Bohermeen,2,P.Mangan,Dunshaughlin,3,B.Byrne,Dunshaughlin. M60;1,E.Reid,Dunboyne,2,M.Priest,Fr Murphy,3,T.Muldoon,Dunboyne. M18;1,R.Tully,Star of the Sea,2,C.Rennicks,Bohermeen,3,J.McGowan,Bohermeen. B16;1,C.McCarthy,Ratoath,2,A.Clarke,St. Brigids,3,S.Tuite,Bohermeen. B14;1,K.McGrath,Bohermeen,2,A.Monahan,Bohermeen,3,P.Maher,Dunshaughlin. B12;1,S.Smith,Tara,2,C.McBride,Bohermeen,3,C.McNulty,Star of the Sea. B10;1,R.Fagan,Na Fianna,2,C.O’Connor,Dunshaughlin,3,C.Gray,Dunshaughlin. Female Novice;1,S.Reilly,Bohermeen,2,R. Neary, Na Fianna,3,Claire Keegan,Dunboyne. F40;1,E.Dan,2,L.Fahy,Dunshaughlin,3,M.Higgins,Na Fianna. F45;1,U.Byrne,Dunshaughlin,2,I.Clarke,Na Fianna,3,A.Hunter. F50;1,A.Tobin,Trim,2,C.Brogan,Trim. F18;1,C.Rooney,Navan,2,L.Farrell,Fr Murphy. F16;1,R.Finnegan,Bohermeen,2,E.Moreland,Cushinstown,3,A.O’Hare,Na Fianna. F14;1,A.Clarke,Na Fianna,2,S.Clarke,Na Fianna,3,E.O’Donovan,Navan. F12;1,E. Fagan,Na Fianna,2,M.Hanrahan,Navan,3,M.McNamara,Dunshaughlin. F10;1,D.Ni Flaharta,Dunshaughlin,2,E.Regan,Na Fianna,3,A.Doherty,Ratoath.

Cross country gets summery weather!!!

The first day of the Meath county cross country championships were hosted by the St Brigids Athletic club at their grounds in Ballinacree on Sunday. The event was blessed with one of the finest days of weather all year. The testing course had dried out well over the weekend and a good day of racing was helped by a very smooth schedule carried out by the host club and the officials of Meath athletics board. The mens race over six one kilometre laps included the under 18 novice and masters grades.First across the line overall was Robert Tully from Star of the Sea AC who underlined his potential when winning the under 18 title. The novice title was won by the improving Rory Kavanagh from Dunboyne AC, who led his club to the novice team title with a clean sweep of the medals. Kavanagh was followed closely home by colleagues Loughlin Campion a recent recruit to the Dunboyne ranks and the experienced Morgan McDonagh. In the masters competition there was the usual crew of talented old timers battling it out for honours. Dermot Clarke, Bohermeen finished third overall and won the M50 grade ahead of Paddy Mangan. The other masters categories were won by Don Mahon,Tommy Maher,and Eddie Reid. In the womens race the first runner home was Emilia Dan, Dunboyne AC . with Linda Fahy, Dunshaughlin taking second spot ahead of her training colleague Ursula Byrne who took the top spot in the F45. In the novice womens grade Sonya Reilly put in a very strong performance to add a county cross country title to her achievements this year. The other womens masters grade went to Ann Tobin, Trim. The under 18 girls ran well among the more senior athletes with Ciara Rooney and Laura Farrell gaining valuable experience which will serve them well over the winter season. The under age races were keenly contested and there were notable efforts in the under 14 boys race from Kevin McGrath, Alan Monaghan, Paddy Maher, Alex Hunter and Cormac O’Dowd running in a manner which bodes well for the county at next months Leinster championships. The under 16 girls featured a good race for honours between Rose Finnegan, Elizabeth Moreland and Aisling O’Hare. Next Sunday 14 October the county cross country action will take place at Dunboyne when the county intermediate and uneven age championships will be up for decision. First Race will be at 12 noon.

Cross Country Distances 2012 MEATH ATHLETICS

FEMALE Age MALE 800m U9 800m 1000m U10 1000m 1200m U11 1200m 1500m U12 1500m 2000m U13 2000m 2500m U14 2500m 3000m U15 3000m 3500m U16 3500m 4000m U17 4500m 4000m U18 6000m 4000m Junior 6000m 4000m Novice 6000m 4000m Master 6000m 4000m Intermediate 8000m 4000m Senior 8000m

Leinster Squads 2012/2013

The 2012/13 Leinster Development and Performance squads are due to start on Saturday October 6th 2012. Additional dates are also listed. The squads are designed to complement the coaching that athletes are already receive at their clubs. Personal coaches are encouraged to attend either or both squad sessions on the day The Development Squads between 10am-12pm are open to all athletes from 12 years old upwards. The events covered at the Development Squad Days will consist of one event out of each of the 4 sections of Sprints/Hurdles, Long Jump/High Jump, Shot/Javelin/Discus and Endurance. The cost for the 2 hours is €5 per athlete. The Performance Squads 12pm-3pm are for selected athletes only. The Performance Squad cover all event categories. Leinster Regional Squads 2012/2013; Date: Venue: Development Squad: Performance Squad Sat October 6th 2012 Santry 10am – 12pm 12pm to 3pm Sat Nov 3rd 2012 Santry 10am – 12pm 12pm to 3pm Sat Dec 1st 2012 Santry 10am – 12pm 12pm to 3pm Sat Feb 9th 2013 Santry 10am – 12pm 12pm to 3pm Sat March 2nd 2013 Santry 10am – 12pm 12pm to 3pm We look forward to seeing you and your coach throughout the year.

Geraldine Dolan schools cross country

St. Brigid’s Athletic Club would like to invite your school to participate in the Geraldine Dolan Memorial Cross Country Meet on Tuesday the 9th of October 2012, at our new Club Grounds adjacent to the St Brigid’s GFC Pitch. Competition to commence at 11.00am with events for Minor Boys & Girls up to Senior Boys & Girls. The age groups are broken down as follows: Minor – Under 14 on the 1st of July in the year of competition – i.e. 2012. Junior - Under 15 on the 1st of July in the year of competition – i.e. 2012. Intermediate - Under 17 on the 1st of July in the year of competition – i.e. 2012. Senior - Under 19 on the 1st of July in the year of competition – i.e. 2012. I have attached an order of events which is aimed at catering for all competitors, with distances ranging from 1,000m to 2,000m. Points will again be awarded to the first 10 individuals in each race, with the winner getting 10 points, second placed 9 points etc… In the case where there are not 10 individuals in a race points will be scaled back in line with the number of finishers - e.g. if there are only six finishers in a race the winner will get 6 points, second placed 5 points… In addition, there will be a team competition - Minor & Junior Boys & Girls races will be teams of four to count, while Intermediate & Senior Boys & Girls races will be teams of three to count. Points will be based on the number of teams in each race – e.g. if 12 teams finish, the winners will get 12 points, second placed 11 points… while if only 4 teams finish, the winners will get 4 points, second placed 3 points… Athletes must run in their own age group except in a team event where ONE athlete from the age group immediately below may complete a team. No athlete may run in more than one race. Order of Events: Minor Girls: 1000m 2 Laps Minor Boys: 1000m 2 Laps Junior Girls: 1000m 2 Laps Junior Boys: 1500m 3 Laps Intermediate Girls: 1500m 3 Laps Intermediate Boys: 2000m 4 Laps Senior Girls: 1500m 3 Laps Senior Boys: 2000m 4 Laps Rules: 1) Age groups – Age on the 1st of July in the Year of Competition – i.e. 2012. 2) Athletes must run in their own age group except in a team event where ONE athlete from the age group immediately below may complete a team. 3) No athlete may run in more than one race. Finally, individual & team points will then be added together with the best overall School receiving the Geraldine Dolan Perpetual Cup. Entry Fee €2.00 per athlete. I would be grateful if you could please advise us of your participation at your earliest convenience. For further information on any of the above please check us out on Facebook, at www.stbrigidsathleticclub.com or contact either Pat Plunkett on 087 2657051, Gerard Heery on 086 2499886 / gerardheery1@eircom.net or Martin J Heery on 086 8564160 / mjheery@yahoomail.com Yours in Sport, Martin J Heery Club Secretary

Young Cross Country runners

To All Clubs, Star of the Sea AC, Na Fianna AC & St. Brigid's AC all have cross country training on Saturday's. Dunshaughlin AC have a speed endurance session (age 16+) on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm. With regard to the four clubs all are welcome to come as along as those taking part are registered members of an affiliated athletic club. Na Fianna AC train in the Porchfields at Trim. However before you go club's should phone Brigid at 087 7691125 or Maggie Higgins at 087 2866815 for times and details etc. St Brigid's training is at 10am on Saturday morning in Mullaghmeen Forest Park and again club's should contact Gerard Heery at 086 2499886 first. Star of the Sea AC has training in Ardgillan Park tomorrow Saturday at 2pm. We will meet at the top car-park. The session will involve a warm up, hill loops, drills and then a cool down. Normally session will last 90mins. All adults welcome and those juveniles (12yrs +) that would be fit to do a few hills. In future I will put notices with regard to the Ardgillan session up on the Star of the Sea facebook page on Friday evening and refresh it on Saturday morning just in case it has moved too far down the list. Contact Brendan Meade at 087 2533113 . Dunshaughlin AC's speed endurance session takes place on the new track at Ratoath AC. The cost is €2 to cover lights and hire of the track. For more details contact Paddy Mangan at 087 2597731 . With Championships taking place on Sundays training might not take place every Saturday so always check with those named above before you travel.

South O'Hanlon AC track 3km series

South O'Hanlon AC are hosting their annual 3km track race series at Claremont Stadium in the coming weeks. The first is on the 14th of November, and the next 3 Wednesday nights, the 21st, 28th and the 5th of December. All races start at 8pm sharp with an entry of €3 a night or €10 for 4 nights. All money taken will be going to the local branch of Meals on Wheels. No times will be recorded so bring your watches!!!

The Athletics Leinster InterCounty Team

The Athletics Leinster InterCounty Team event is an relatively recent annual event for U14 and U16 boys and girls county teams from across Leinster. Team compete in 100m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Putt and 4 x 200m with two athletes from each county competing in each event and points being awarded based on finishing position. The county team with the most points after the 5 events receives a plaque commemorating their achievement. This event was held for the second time on 15th September 2012 at Navan and being the host county, Meath entered teams in all 4 age categories. It proved to be a very successful day with Meath winning 2 of the 4 team events, the boys U14 and Girls U16 events. For the boys U14 team, there was wins for Kevin McGrath (Bohermeen) in the 800m (in an unofficial time of 2:06, not bad for a 13 year old) and Marc Shelly (Fr Murphys) in the Long jump. Kevin and Marc were supported all the way by Alex Hunter (Ratoath) who was 3rd in the 800m and Jack Hetherington (Dunshaughlin) who finished 2nd in the 100m. The quartet then combined superbly to win the 4 x 200m easily and the competition overall. The girls U16 also had several individual winners with Niamh Hetherington (Dunshaughlin) winning the 100m, Ashling O'Hare (Na Fianna) the 800m and Kelly Brady (Bohermeen) the Shot Putt. Sarah Armstrong (Bohermeen) put in a battling performance to finish 2nd in the 800m. Niahm, Ashling and Sarah were joined by Martha Dineen (Rathkenny) for the 4 x 200m which they won to confirm their place as champions in the overall competition. The girls U14 team of Olwyn Halligan (Rathkenny), Mairead McFadden (Bohermeen), Niamh Hand (Navan), Niamh Cowan (Dunshaughlin) and Ava Mangan (Dunshaughlin) competed very well in a tough competition to finish as 5th county overall. The boys U16 team of Luke McCabe (Cushinstown), Aaron Kealy (Dunshaughlin), Ivan Maher (Ratoath), Darragh Costigan (Dunboyne) and Shane Joyce (Cushinstown) were hampered be an early injury to Aaron and finished in 4th place overall. Well done to all these athletes.

County convention

To All County Officers/Post Holders, In accordance with the motion passed at our Convention in February 2012 the next Convention will be held in December 2012 (and annually in December from now on). I would ask that any Officers/Post Holders that do not wish to go forward for this Convention to please inform me ASAP so that this may be conveyed to clubs when they are considering nominations. It is my intention to have notice of Convention sent out before the end of September. Regards, Philip Cogavin County Secretary