An interesting Gerry Farnan 2009 compilation video featuring an interview with Eamonn Coghlan who gives a little insight into Gerry Farnan and the naming of the “Munich Lap”.

Gerry Farnan XC 2009

It wasn’t just autumn leaves falling from the Sky as the Gold Medals are raining down on the Sportsworld Ladies. Last weeks Dublin novice success was easily equaled and so within seven day’s that’s seen the autumn well and truly kick in another ladies team picked up a second team gold medal……and we are only two races in to the cross country season. The 2009 edition of the Gerry Farnan kicked off with the womens race at 2.15 on the overcast but more importantly dry October Sunday in the Phoenix Park. It was a demanding course as they set off at a ferocious pace along a straight to the magazine fort before turning and taking in some rolling hills before the athletes where then sent down through the woods before looping back to the long, long, long home straight.

The three mile distance involved three laps and three of our athletes mixed it with the best in the leading group. Mary Cullen of North Sligo dominated start to finish and ran away (no pun intended) with the win in 15:34 impressively unopposed. Aoife Brady coming off great track season, looked so comfortable and composed throughout it was as if she was on a cool down, stayed with the leaders and came home in 8th place in 17.11. Lucy D’Arcy who was warming up for the Dublin Marathon this Monday, decided to stretch the legs and flew across the line in 11th, picking up a Gold Medal for her age group just for the craic. Crona Brady who’s been having an outstanding year showed she plans on carrying that form into the cross country season. She has been so strong all year which I like to think was inspired by her trashing me at the Jingle Bells 5km last December to win a tenner. Anyway she stormed home in 13th in 17.44 and thus sealing a Gold Medal for the club in the team event….again! Helen White, after a summer of competitive mountain running, couldn’t believe how flat the course was, had a great race in 18.24 and was rewarded with 3rd place in her age group as was Carol Lynch in 23.41.

Even with the strange sight of Michael Cunningham dressed in Sunday casuals rather then a racing singlet (the man was taking a well earned rest), Sportsworld still managed to put out a strong men’s team. The race was five miles and so five laps of the course. At 3.00 the gun went and 158 of the countries finest men tore off like a herd of startled Buffalo. It was like something off National Geographic as they reached the magazine fort and turned and charged back towards the supporters. Mark Christie of Mullingar A.C. took a deserved victory in a really competitive fast race in 23.32. Paul O’Connell led the line for Sportsworld and like Lucy was warming up for the Dublin Marathon this Monday where he has one eye on the clubs marathon record I’m sure. No pressure. With that in mind he got to the tape in 35th ahead of Phil Kilgannon in 52nd. Phil’s had a summer of injury woes but ran a strong and solid race and showed good form having a blast up the home straight on the last lap. “Mr Cross Country” Paul Duffy finished close behind Phil in 91st. A great run from a man that hasn’t stopped since last years cross country season and bear in mind he raced last weeks Dublin novice to…..but show that man a muddy field and a race number. Another who was both returning from injury AND preparing for the marathon is Ed McEntee in 104th. Mr reliable took the race in his stride and ran strong consistent laps. There was no more Junior Races for Sean Wall. He tore home just behind Ed after stepping up the grades and running the full 5 miles. A great performance from him.

Also many thanks to everyone who showed up to cheer on the teams to. If no-one is looking pat yourselves on the back. I’m not going to list off everyone but there was a good turn out of red and white jackets and the athletes do appreciate it.

Report By
Eoin O’Brien

Dublin Novice CC 2009

Lorna the Longford lass shows ‘em how it’s done

Phoenix Park, Sunday October 11th – The magazine fort was the setting for Sunday’s Dublin novice cross country championship. Glorious sunshine and hard under footing at the famous Münich lap meant that each race went off like the proverbial clappers – and stayed that way for 3k/6k for the girls and guys races respectively. While meant for beginners, novice competitions represent a huge step up from Meet and Train or BHAA competitions, and the pace can be shocking for debutants to championship racing. However that didn’t bother our Lorna, who set the pace from the gun to get away from a possibly record turnout of over 70 girls and 12 teams. At 1k (3:15), she remained in a group of 6 hardy competitors who didn’t want to leave without silverware. After one lap (at the bell), she piled on the pressure and the only one able to live with this was Rathfarnham WSAF’s Carole Pauli. A tactical race between the two was looking on the cards when they turned back into the forest with 1k left. Lorna was having none of it though, running with an exuberance and confidence that surprised most of us. Turning the last corner with 350m left and the wind behind her, she finished like an express train to take the biggest victory of her less than 4 year old career.

Lorna also led the red and white to team gold, where we had all 4 girls in the top 10 thanks to brilliant displays from Louise, Mairead and Susan. Also representing the club with honour were Ann, Helen and Barbara; gaining valuable experience from the occasion. From the event, all girls will have discovered what it takes to succeed at championship level, and that you get nothing without hard work and dedication.

Dublin Novice Cross Country 3000m Women’s Individual Result 2009

Position Name Club Time
1 Lorna Quinn Sportsworld 10:03
8 Louise Nolan Sportsworld 10:31
9 Mairead O Callaghan Sportsworld 10:33
10 Susan McDonnell Sportsworld 10:37
42 Ann Sweeney Sportsworld 12:58
56 Helen Dixon Sportsworld 13:22
61 Barbara McIntyre Sportsworld 13:48

Dublin Novice Cross Country 3000m Women’s Team Result 2009

Position Club Points
1 Sportsworld AC 28
2 Donore Harriers 42
3 Clonliffe Harriers 70

The men’s team were represented by more experienced athletes, and were touted by some to be team medal prospects before the start. However illnesses, pre entered athletes not turning up without any prior notice and a competitive field full of well managed people coming up from the junior ranks put pay to this. Nevertheless, we came an impressive 5th out of 15 teams, beating many of the traditional cross country powerhouses. Around 100 athletes went to post, and our brightest prospect Paul Duffy led his team home. Hovering on the periphery of the top 10 for most of the race, the legs went in the final lap; but Paul can be very happy with his place well inside the top 20. Performances of the day for the men’s team were a joint effort between Mikey & Paul Mitchell, as both ran very sensible races to come through in the top 30 and 40 respectively.

The scoring was completed by Gareth who ended just outside the top 40. Colm wasn’t far behind, and while he found that the step up from IMRA races to this level is a huge one, he will find that our cross country practice on Saturday mornings will make things a lot easier. The karate kid Kildare man Colin McCarthy ran a fine race to end up in the top 60, with Donegal man Liam McFadden just behind. Mark Dunne was going well until he felt hamstring pain which forced his race to come to a premature end.

The day ended with a few celebratory pints in Rody Boland’s. Championship wise, next up in the Dublin Intermediates XC which takes place on the last Sunday in November in Tymon Park, which usually is an easier task than the novice for some reason. We may also have Sean in action in the Dublin U18s at the magazine fort next Sunday.

Dublin Novice Cross Country 6000m Men’s Individual Result 2009

Position Name Club Time
1 Dave Fitzmaurice Clonliffe 18:24
16 Paul Duffy Sportsworld 20:14
27 Mikey Cunningham Sportsworld 20:48
38 Paul Mitchell Sportsworld 21:21
41 Garrett Murran Sportsworld 21:26
46 Colm Kennedy Sportsworld 21:54
59 Colin McCarthy Sportsworld 22:20
61 Liam McFadden Sportsworld 22:30
DNF Mark Dunne Sportsworld N/A

Dublin Novice Cross Country 6000m Men’s Team Result 2009

Position Club Points
1 Clonliffe Harriers 20
2 Rathfarnham WSAF 41
3 Donore Harriers 53
4 Dundrum South Dublin 112
5 Sportsworld AC 121

Race report by Packie

Sportsworld gang perform superbly at Castleknock

Castleknock, Saturday October 10th – There was a strong Sportsworld turnout at Castleknock for the BHAA Teacher’s cross country race. The race is so titled because one of the BHAA members is a teacher at the school more famed for its rugby than its athletics. Without the help from his pupils (mainly non-exam students from 2nd & 5th years) at registration, stewarding and catering this race would not have taken place. Taking place in ideal conditions – a grand soft morning with not a puff of wind, the simultaneous start saw women competing over 2m and men over 4m. The flatter than a pancake course took place around the perimeters of the 5 rugby pitches within the grounds of this well renowned school, with over 150 finishers.

Performance of the day went to Lucy in the women’s race where she took 2nd place, and admitted afterwards that she could have caught the winner Fiona Reid, but such races are not meant for busting your guts. Lucy was followed closely by a determined Helen. Next up were Stephanie, Tara and Sandra, all running in the 13s, with the latter showing off her beautiful new little daughter after it. Edel completed the Sportsworld contingent in the shorter race. Tara helped her team to win, while Edel also collected a team prize as her company came 3rd. Helen, Lucy and Sandra picked up individual prizes.

Women’s 2m XC

Position Name Category Company Time
1 Fiona Reid Senior Teachers 12:21
2 (1) Lucy D’Arcy F40 12:25
4 (2) Helen White F40 12:29
6 Stephanie Bergin Senior AIB 13:21
10 Tara Whyte Senior Teachers 13:49
14 (2) Sandra Armstrong F35 Dublin Hospitals 13:51
30 (7) Edel O Connell F35 Irish Life & Permanent 17:34

The men’s race was won by recent Irish international and track star Rob Connoly. The DSD man (who hasn’t competed in over a year) admitted to being 10 kg overweight, but it didn’t matter because class is permanent. We had two club men in the top 5 – Paul & Phil, performing magnificently; and 3 in the top 20 (Packie). The latter helped his team (the DIT) to 2nd place. Kathleen’s husband Declan wasn’t far behind. Brian and Killian were the next Sportsworld men in, both running in the 28s.

Men’s 4m XC

Position Name Category Company Time
1 Rob Connoly Senior 20:30
4 Paul O’Connell Senior 21:49
5 Phil Kilganon Senior 21:52
20 Packie Enright Senior DIT 23:47
26 Declan Horgan Senior Intel 24:23
70 Brian Conway Senior NUIM 28:40
73 (10) Killian McMorrow M50 Law Library 28:49

Report by Packie

Saturday’s rain had cleared and the sun was shining for the annual Rathfarnham 5K road race on Sunday. A decent punch of Sportsworld athletes lined up at the start line opposite Tesco.

For those who have been running the Addidas race series and gotten used to checking their watch every mile the 5K comes as a shock to the system. In the 5K, tactics moves and pushes you make during your race can make or break you.

Physically, the 5K is tough because you’re racing at just about your VO2 max, with the shorter distance over the more common 10K the margin for error is significantly less. You can’t go on an all out sprint or be too conservative during the first kilometre of a 5K. Paul Duffy doesn’t understand conservative starts. Paul was right up there with the leading pack as soon as guest starter George Lee set the race off on time at 10AM.

The course brings you down by Bushy, across the bridge and up the hill towards Terenure. Then there is a slight uphill followed by a seemingly endless long straight up toward Tempelogue cross roads. We run this course all the time but when you hit Tesco with a kilometre to go your hurting and then someone makes the push for home. You have a split second to decide to go and put the foot down or risk being left in the dust. The last kilometre of the 5K is where most runners either succeed or fail in meeting their target. Looking back to see where someone else is, is not an option. When you kick for home with 200 or 400 metres to go it’s a case of gritting the teeth and holding in there.

It’s not that often that you get to run fast in a race off the track but the 5K is a great distance for that, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Our ever impressive Ladies team took the team title whilst our first man home today was Paul Duffy in 28th place, in a time of 16:03. Aoife Brady was our first lady home in 53rd with a time of 17:13. The race was won by a considerable 20 seconds in 14:22 by Mark Christie and Lynda Byrne in 16:10 for the ladies.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the race and with 5 seconds separating 3 of the Rathfarnham novice men’s runners and 2 from Sportsworld, next Sundays Dublin Novice cross country promises to be an exciting race.

The first sportsworld men and women home were:

Mens
28 737 Paul Duffy Sportsworld AC MS 00:16:03
30 1723 Gareth Murran Sportsworld AC MS 00:16:05
62 691 Colin McCarthy Sportsworld AC MS 00:17:37

Ladies
53 1887 Aoife Brady Sportsworld AC FS 00:17:13
68 1888 Crona Brady FS 00:17:42
94 1247 Helen White Sportsworld AC F40 00:18:32

Report by
Garrett Murran

On Saturday 26/09/09 about 6000 runners gathered in Phoenix Park to take part in this year’s Dublin half-marathon. Among the participants there were a lot runners in white and red Sportsworld singlets.

We ran on a new course which consisted of one lap and seemed flatter than last year’s. As it’s impossible to make one 13 miles lap in Phoenix Park that wouldn’t include any hills so some of us had difficult moments climbing the Kyber Road and the hill near the lake on the 12^th mile. Fortunately, at the top of Kyber Rd there was a big group of our club runners who had just finished their weekly cross country session and gave us a great support.

The last hill seemed much harder as when it finally leveled up you had 12 miles in you legs and it was very difficult to force them to the final effort.

The fastest man from Sportsworld was Paul O’Connell (3^rd overall) and our fastest woman was Stephanie Bergin.

Caroline Lynch was 1^st in category F60. Eanna Cunnane who is getting back to running after a serious injury was 4^th in M35 and Orla Jordan was 5^th in F35.

Well done to all runners and thank you to all supporters!

There were so many club members taking part in the race that it was hard to find everyone in the results (if you ran and you’d like to be added on email us with your name and start number:-)).

Place overall/ Name/ From/ Cat./ Place in cat./ Chip time/ Finish time

3 Paul O’Connell (No. 2193) Kildare MS 3 01:11:09 01:11:10

20 Eanna Cunnane (No. 4947) Dublin M35 4 01:15:34 01:15:36

66 Gareth Murran (No. 121) Dublin MS 30 01:20:49 01:20:53

148 Joe Byrne (No. 5682) Dublin M40 25 01:24:49 01:24:53

169 Colm Kennedy (No. 5174) Waterford MS 79 01:25:20 01:25:25

186 Jakub Splawski (No. 2222) Poland MS 90 01:25:51 01:25:57

220 James Benson (No. 7088) Wexford MS 106 01:27:00 01:27:06

269 Stephanie Bergin (No. 1645) Laois FS 15 01:28:16 01:28:22

274 Liam Mc Fadden (No. 7341) MS 130 01:28:23 01:28:29

419 William Greensmyth (No. 7365) MS 199 01:30:54 01:31:20

436 Orla Jordan (No. 694) Dublin F35 5 01:31:26 01:31:33

507 Hugh Kearney (No. 6243) Dublin MS 235 01:32:29 01:32:58

530 Eoin O’Brien (No. 5807) Dublin MS 247 01:33:05 01:33:32

863 Dave Clarke (No. 2297) Dublin MS 419 01:37:52 01:38:20

1326 Stephen Willoughby (No. 3284) Dublin M45 70 01:42:24 01:42:53

1336 Louise Bruton (No. 599) Dublin F35 36 01:42:55 01:43:03

1404 Tara Quirke (No. 5947) Dublin F35 38 01:42:51 01:43:42

1472 Anne Sweeney (No. 3235) Dublin F40 24 01:43:26 01:44:17

1502 Sandra Redmond (No. 1851) Dublin FS 110 01:43:46 01:44:32

1704 David Trimble (No. 5460) Dublin M50 46 01:46:02 01:46:17

2224 Caroline Lynch (No. 5872) Dublin F60 1 01:50:10 01:50:56

2295 Aileen Melody (No. 1036) Dublin F45 17 01:51:04 01:51:35

2779 Claire Harrington (No. 1386) Dublin F45 28 01:55:01 01:55:41

3065 Karen O’Connor (No. 1218) Dublin F35 126 01:57:54 01:58:01

3369 Catherine Gilmore (No. 1041) Dublin F40 90 02:00:11 02:00:50

3890 Michelle Heaton (No. 5349) Dublin FS 592 02:06:21 02:06:47

5335 Jennifer Maher (No. 1035) F35 355 02:44:39 02:45:37

Report by
Jakub

Great turnout from the club at last Saturday’s Pearl Izumi sponsored BHAA 10k Road Race which took place around the Firhouse Area of Dublin. Apologies if I forget anybody but following were spotted running : Paul O’Connell, Joe Byrne, Stephanie Bergin, Helen Dixon, Claire Rowley, Trevor Lloyd, Judith Lloyd, Valerie Power, Sandra Armstrong, Tommy Armstrong, Susan McDonnell, Sean O’Byrne, Ray Carpenter.

Paul continued his excellent run of form by finishing second and winning his category in the summer league which included 3 individual wins and 3 second places, very consistent running by Paul, well done.

Next home was Joe Byrne who jogged around in 39 minutes according to him as he was due to do a long run the next day !!

Stephanie kept up her good recent form by finishing third female behind Annette Kealy and Donna Mahon and also was part of the AIB team which were 2nd in their category.

Sandra was 1st in her age category. Helen Dixon was 2nd in her age category. Judith was 1st in her age category and Trevor not to be outdone was also 1st in his age category.

Susan ran a pb by 3 minutes and Ray looked as fresh at the end as he had at the start of the race.

I would highly recommend that you try one of the upcoming races www.bhaa.ie for remaining races in 2009 as all standard of runner is catered for and if you ask any of your colleagues that run in the BHAA races I have no doubt they will agree that their running has improved since taking part in the races.

Race Report by
Stephen Willoughby

At the weekend 8 Sportsworld members made the trek to Ballybofey, Co Donegal for the National Half Marathon and returned with one medal. Leaving on Saturday lunch time, we opted to use Letterkenny as a holding base and arrived there before 17.00. We rented 2 newly built celtic tiger style houses in the town centre in what proved to be much better, cheaper and comfortable than B&B’s or hotels as we had our own space. After receiving the keys from the landlady (to whom we assured that we weren’t a stag party, much the opposite in fact), one of the first things to be done was to get some shopping for food and supplies so we strolled down town. In the local mall we came across a Super Valu that was there 2 years ago but had somehow been replaced, and a rival sports chain store called Sports World; showing that there are alternatives to Ireland’s best sports shop. Then when we found a Dunnes Stores, there was much debate and disagreement as to what we should buy for the houses and what would be a sinful waste of money from the kitty we’d all chipped into. After unpacking we went downtown for dinner and to see the boys in green score a very lucky world cup qualifier win over Cyprus.

On Sunday morning we drove to a drizzly & dreary Ballybofey (the home of one of Ireland’s all time greatest distance running clubs Finn Valley AC), and after a warm up jog on their cinder track we jogged to the start line and away we went. The race consisted of predominantly northern club runners and people from the north west, however a fair share of people came from Dublin and from much further afield. Although the course contained a few hills here & there, it was a fair one with fresh tarmac and was well stewarded and organised.

Leading us home was a magnificent Paul O Connell who despite the difficult conditions came home in 70:58 mins and a place tenth. Our performance of the day was given by a magnificent Paul Duffy who finished in the top 25 and far beyond what anyone would have expected of him. The scoring trio for our senior mens team was completed by Ed who put in a fine display and ended up only 15 seconds shy of an M40 bronze.

Next down the list were Sligo’s finest export since Mary Cullen – Trevor; and Mikey, meaning that we’d 3 lads within 30 seconds of each other. The latter ran a marvellous pb, while the former was hoping for a little better but was stiff and tired from having spent the previous day gardening in the north west when not used to manual labour. Packie started reasonably well going through 5m in 29:52 and 10m in 61:27 but struggled with hip trouble and was happy to finish it. Lucy put in a stunning performance to win the F40 category and finished 4th female overall. The red & white turnout was completed by Liam McFadden just outside the hour and a half. From one of Ireland’s most northerly peninsulas, the former gaelic footballer reached 10m in a decent 64 mins but like Packie struggled after that. Liam used his local knowledge and contacts to make the weekend much easier on all of us so we are very grateful for this in the club.

Our only team entered (senior mens) finished a decent 5th out of 8 in 222 mins. Interestingly our senior men in 2007 (Eanna, Phil & Packie) ran the same time on the same course which was good enough for team silver, indicating a more competitive race this year and a rise in the standards of road running, despite being told the opposite by so called experts from the past.

At the sharp ends of the field, it ended up an all Belfast contest and the pair was together for much of the race. The senior men’s race was won by former national 10,000m champion Joe McAllister in a marvellous 65:51, beating the many times national inter club and inter counties XC champion Gary Murray. The latter (Donegal man) used to compete for the host club but in his debut half marathon found the distance a little too long and lost by 45 seconds. Clonliffe’s senior men were unfortunate to be denied a team silver because their 3rd scorer forgot his club singlet (now let that be a lesson to any of us!), and so were disqualified from the team competition. Strangely however the offending athlete was given his earned individual M35 bronze medal when surely the same rules should have applied again.

The magnificent Catriona Jennings made a worthwhile journey from our neighbouring club Rathfarnham WSAF to take the ladies title in 79:12. Catherine Conway (a beginner from Mayo AC) was second in 80:31 but is definitely going to be a name for the future.

On a negative note it was disappointing that we couldn’t field a senior girls team given that we are traditionally known as a girls club and that so many train with us. National senior medals could have been won here (for girls who are already out of novice & intermediate) much easier than at the senior cross country events. Also it must have been hard on Lucy being the only girl on the trip away.

Having a few drinks in the clubhouse during the medal presentation we witnessed the Kilkenny hurlers win 4 in a row, and we stopped in Monaghan for dinner that evening. We would like to say many thanks to Liam, Mikey & Trevor for supplying the motor power and our club coach Emily for fuelling it. It was a moderately successful but thoroughly enjoyable team bonding weekend away.

Full Results

Race report by
Packie