LISBURN HALF MARATHON and OTHER PLACES

With the winning time of 1.18 Rachel Mitchell was always going to be a difficult one to beat over the half marathon route though Niamh Kellett could make a podium place her aim for next year  as her time of 1.28 and 5th overall was only 2 minutes behind Susan Smyth’s  third place time and it should be possible to challenge that time in 12 months.  Joanne Foster wasn’t too far behind and her time of 1.33 gave her 3^rd place in F35 category, in which Niamh was 2^nd .

10K ALTERNATIVE

In the 10K race which coincides with the half marathon the ever dependable
Martin Willcox made it into top 20 with 36.48, a highly commendable effort which also proved good enough for 2nd place in the M45 category.

Roisin Gaffney 54.29 was 4th in the field of 35 in her age category (F55) with Tracey McCaughey 55.47 figuring well in the F50 category. Gavin McConvey is rapidly becoming one of the Club’s most prolific competitors and he is maintaining a consistent sub 60 minute sequence, his latest effort seeing him across the line in 57.22.

Two other members who made welcome returns to the racing scene were sisters Eimear Degan and Cathy Flinn who had a lovely night out together, finishing in 61 minutes while Gill and Gareth Kimpton were inseparable on 1.13.

TWIN PEAKS FULL AND HALF MARATHONS

In South Armagh on Saturday  in the Twin Peaks Half Marathon hosted by Colm Fearon, the runners started at Slieve Gullion and finished 2 peaks later having climbed and descended both Gullion and Camlough with combined ascent equivalent to more than Slieve Donard. The fantastic scenery is reward in itself but the organisers seem to have put together a great event even supplying a piper to call you over the mountain. The fact that it is supporting two very worthy charities is significant – Special Olympics Ireland and Run For Autism HAND (Helping Autism in Newry and District)

Marguerite Robinson and Clare Carson completed it side by side in 2 hours 56 which put them better than mid pack out of 120 participants. They are loud in praise of the organisers and the event and recommend it for the diary for next season. There was also a full marathon event which required an out and back of the same course and it goes without saying that Linda Cunningham had this one nailed. It is getting hard to find any distance event where her name does not appear in the results! Well done the ladies of EDAC.

NEIL FINDS FORM AT RIGHT TIME

Neil McCartan, East Down Track athlete coached by Mark Kirk, continued his season at Loughborough British Milers Meet on Saturday. He ran a PB of 3.53.64 which was good enough for 4th place. This performance should give him confidence going into the Belfast International Meet at Mary Peter’s track on Tuesday 26th where he will run in the 3000m.

H&D FINALE ON FRIDAY NIGHT

As is the tradition the final round of the Thursday night commitment for the past ten weeks changes to Friday night which is one way of checking that everyone who has taken part hasn’t totally lost their marbles and can follow the organisers’ instructions. So after the weeks of mountain goat activity, the honours were handed out to those who had endured everything that the mountains could throw at them.

East Down’s runners featured in several categories though only two, Paddy McDonald 23^rd in the M45 category and 138^th Overall and Janine Murray, completed the full series a feat accomplished by only 21 others.

Neil Andrews was 24^th Male overall and Deirdre Weatherall was 7^th Female overall and 5^th in the Female Open with Janine Murray 46^th and 11^th in the same categories respectively. Lisa Milligan excelled in her first season, placing 3^rd in the F45 category and 28^th overall.

Gavin Hynds was 7^th in the M40 category with another first timer Niall Gibney, one to watch out for next season, in 8^th while overall placing 46^th and 57^th overall respectively..

John Manley, another newcomer to experience the joys of H&D for the first time placed  163^rd overall and 23^rd in the M50 category.

Cheryl Denvir and Oonagh Breteche were 10^th and 12^th respectively in the F40 age group and 38^th and 48^th in the Overall placings. Thank goodness it’s over for another year as this particular scribe is weary trawling through reams of results every week.  It is quite honestly easier to run the races – well not really at present, as my knee refuses to let me go anywhere. But, see next year!!

GERALDINE KEENAN – RIP

Just 2 weeks ago East Down AC members were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Geraldine, sister in law of esteemed Club and Committee member Liam Keenan, a very short time after hearing of her illness and barely 2 years since the death of her husband Kevin.  This is a particularly cruel blow to the family and particularly to their only child George who is still grieving for his father. To him and to Liam and Patricia who devoted all their time in the weeks leading up to her demise tending to Geraldine’s needs, and to the entire family circle,  the Club extends its sincere condolences and assures them of their thoughts and prayers at this time.

 PAT WATTERSON –  RIP  (An appreciation)

Downpatrick and I lost a very good friend last weekend with the passing of Patrick (Pat) Watterson.  Big Pat, as he was affectionately known, also achieved almost cult status through his deep involvement in all things GAA, not only in his native Downpatrick where he was a stalwart in the RGU Club for many years but later with Kilclief Ben Dearg, to whom he devoted all his energies after he was appointed Principal of Kilclief Primary School, and was respected far beyond the county town.  He was a giant of a man, certainly through my eyes as I first encountered him playing for RGU, in both physical stature and in terms of the esteem in which he was held.

He was never the quickest on the field but he was the one who was always talked about by opposing teams as the most difficult to get past.  As we often found to our cost he was always there to block shots or make vital interceptions, at the most crucial of times. It was only years later that I grew to appreciate his tremendous positional sense allied with a great catching technique which he used with great skill to make up for his lack of pace. If the term Gentle Giant ever suited anyone then it was surely Pat.

It was Pat who first made contact with me several years ago to discuss organising a 10K race in Kilclief beginning and ending at the GAA Club premises, on the shores of Strangford Lough, and he was always there, quietly and unobtrusively guiding  those around him, yet always with great respect for everyone and appreciative of all help given. I never heard him complain about anyone or anything.

He was quite content to help out in any way he could at the finish line, whether in handing out bottles of water, or medals to the younger participants or even taking the results sheets back to the pavilion.

He was described to me on the day of his funeral as “One of life’s good guys “ and I wouldn’t disagree with that sentiment. That is how I’ll remember him too. He will be missed by everyone with whom he came into contact and we can ill afford to be without him.

On behalf of everyone associated with East Down AC, I extend our sincere condolences to his wife Patricia, his sons and daughters and entire family circle at this very sad time.

 

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

25 June 2018