Upcoming Races and Events over the Festive Season!

10th December 09: John McDonnell, the retired head coach of Arkansas University, will speak on “ Preparing a successful Athlete” in Breaffy House Hotel on Thursday at 8pm.
15th December 09: Race 8 in the Fit4Life Series. 4k circuit around the I.T, Ballinode, Sligo.
20th December 09: Santa Run, 5k Road Race, The Southern Hotel, Sligo @ 10am.
26th December 09: Athenry 10k @ 11am; Clooncool 5k @ 11am; Finn Valley 5k, Ballybofey.
27th December 09: Westport 5k @ 2pm (Mayo League).
1st January 10: Tir Connaill 8k @ 12 noon, Bundoran.
3rd January 10: Trolley Dash 6k, Calry (to be confirmed).

Uneven ages and Novice Cross Country; Coleraine

The Uneven Age's and National Novice took place in Coleraine, Co. Derry on Sunday last, 6th December 2009. The Course was a large 2k lap which was ran at different lenghts according to the specific race underway. Conditions were good with the rain holding off and just a slight head-wind to impede athletes along the home stretch. However there seemed to be various organisational problems with the various junior races as a member of Craughwell AC noted "The U11 girls were first to go and had lined up nicely in their starting chutes before it was realised that their course was measured incorrectly. So they were told to move forward a few hundred metres. Unfortunately the forwards motion was interpreted by many as the start of the race, and off they tore only to be halted a few hundred metres further on for the actual start. With the girls out of view at this stage behind a wooded area, the boys lined up in the same chute for their race. But as with the girls, they were informed the start was further on and by the time they got to the start, it was totally congested. Then the first attempt to start, false start, let’s try again, false start, let’s try again, false start. After the 5th false start, the race was let go. Unfortunately half the competitors thought it was another false start and didn’t go – and were then told they’d have to catch up". Athletes that performed well in this chaos were the two McGeoughs, James in the U15's (8th) and Sarah in the U13's (12th). Other Juvenile athletes such as Caeloinn McGonigle, Nicola McGoldrick, Clare Conlon and Clare Stenson also had solid performances.

Killian O'Connor was next up in the U17 race where he came home well up in the field. The last race of the day was the 6k National Novice where Sligo AC's understrenght team (due to injuries) lined up. Dermot Mcdermott was first home, coming in 23rd. Neal Higgins was next through the chute faring out in 61st spot. Seamus Somers, in his first ever cross country, had a very solid run making up about 15 places in the last lap of the race to come home in 96th. Ultan McNasser and Trevor Hunter were the last of the team to finish outside the top 100 (105th and 125th). Exact results have not been posted on the AAI website, no doubt due to the mix-ups in the Juvenile races, what has been posted is the following statement, "Athletics Ireland is concerned about difficulties that arose during some of the Juvenile races at the AAI Uneven Ages Cross Country in Coleraine on Sunday. A full and thorough review of this competition will take place as a result and all processes and procedures will be examined"

Fit4Life: Results after Race Seven!

After Race Seven of the Fit4Life Series; the top ten places have changed yet again with Athletes jostling for a good position leading into the final race of the series. This takes place on Tuesday 15th December and will be followed at 8.30 pm with presentation of awards in the Stables Bar in Wine Street. Food will be provided.

Top ten athletes overall are as follows;
carty, caroline 109pts
conlon, martina 217pts
regan, evan 220pts
murphy, claire 225pts
anderson, patricia 226pts
mahon, fiona 227pts
smyth, neil 232pts
o connor, vincent 262pts
sheridan, liz 277pts
mc gowan, sean 282pts

5k Santa Run: December 20th @ 10am!

Take part in the Great Ireland Santa Fun Run.
Start & finish at Sligo Southern Hotel, 20 December 2009 at 10am. Spread the Christmas cheer: run or walk 5km and raise money for a good Clause!
Each Santa will receive: • a 5-piece Santa suit • a particpant’s medal
Make a valuable contribution charity: • The Special Olympics • Entry: adults €20, juveniles €10 (includes Santa Suit and medal)
• Wheelchairs/buggies welcome! • Entry strictly limited to 300
Registration: Sligo Southern Hotel Sat 19 Dec 3-6pm, Sun 20 Dec 7.30-9.30am. Contacts: Raymond Flynn 0876566215, Dermot McDermott 0863593482

Calry "Turkey Trot" Road Race Cancelled!

The second annual "Turkey Trot" scheduled to take place in Calry next Saturday, December 5th, at 12 noon has been cancelled due to the death of Michael Cunningham. Michael was associated with local athletics in the past and condolences are passed to his family. The Race will be re-scheduled for the beginning of 2010.For more information please contact zola flynn (071 9143046) or john elliot (0866286860)

National Novice Team Announced!

The following team will represent Sligo A.C. in the A.A.I. national novice mens championships in Colerane on Sunday December 6th 2009.
RAYMOND BYRNE
RICHARD GORMAN
SEAMUS SOMERS
ALAN KEARNS
DERMOT MC DERMOTT
ULTAN MC NASSER
NEAL HIGGINS
ROSS MC GLYNN

Team manager Ray Flynn says "With the inclusion of Raymond Byrne, Neal Higgins and Ross McGlynn the team this year is considerably strengthened and I would be confident we can win team medals."
Sligo AC head coach Tery Hayes says "Winning team bronze medals at the Senior Inter-County championships last week has given everyone a great boost and i would expect this well balanced team to challenge for medals".