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You are > Home > Two Waterford athletes in action at Worlds in Qatar
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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Two Waterford athletes in action at Worlds in Qatar
BY FINTAN WALSH
Athletes from 152 countries all over the globe will be competing in Doha, Qatar this weekend from Friday to Sunday at the World Indoor Championships and two athletes from Ferrybank A.C. are among the entries, Kelly Proper in the Long jump and Billy Ryan who is on the Irish 4x400 metres relay panel.
In the Long jump at the moment Kelly Proper is rated in 21st place in the world this year with her Irish record of 6.62 metres a few at top of the rankings above her are some way in front but many more above her are only marginally better.
It is felt that if Kelly now on the biggest stage in her athletic career can equal or who knows better her Irish record that it will be sufficient to get her into the final which would be a major achievement for her. The long jump is an event where getting the run up and take off to perfection can be quite difficult and in most Long jump competitions there are many no jumps by lots of the competitors.
If Kelly can get into the proper frame of mind and get in one big leap in the qualifying round on Saturday morning she could be on her way to a World final on Sunday, she has the competitive spirit to give it a great go, lets hope she does herself justice.
Billy Ryan is on the relay panel and that team includes David Gillick but with Gillick likely to be still in the 400 metres individual race at the time of the heats of the 400 metres relay being run off on Saturday Billy may in fact get the nod for a place on the team again we hope he does and that they progress. Either way and regardless of how things unfold in Qatar all in Waterford athletes are proud to have them both present among the elite of 150 nations. Ireland’s big hope in Qatar will of course be David Gillick in the 400 metres.
FERRYBANK DOMINATE MUNSTER JUVENILE INDOORS
On Saturday and Sunday last athletes from Ferrybank A.C.were in top form at the Munster u14 to 19 Indoor Championships in Nenagh and they claimed many gold, silver and bronze medals. Ciara Giles Doran had three wins under 16 the hurdles, 200 metres and Long jump and was also second in the 60 metres.
The other winners were: Ann O’Shea u16 60 metres, Andrew Heffernan u19 400 metres, Sorcha Murphy u17 High jump, Megan Kiely u17 Long Jump, Donal Brennan u 18 200 metres and Neasa Murphy u14 High jump.Silver medals went to Kelly Meade u15 High jump. Ben Kiely u17 200 metres, Donal Brennan u18 60 metres, Jade Power u17 Shot putt, Stephen Murphy u19 Long Jump, Megan Kiely u17 High jump and u17 Hurdles, Niamh Giles Doran u15 60 metres, Aisling Quinn u14 800 metres, Girls u15, 16, 17, 18.
Relay teams and bronze medals to Sean Whittle u 15 High Jump, Melanie Van Der Valk u18 200 and 300 metres, Megan Kiely u17 200 metres, Siobhan Whelan u15 60 metres, James Greene u18 200 and 400 metres Conor McCarthy u17 1500 metres. April Flynn 17 Long Jump.
For West Waterford Kate Veale the lone athlete from the club in Nenagh was once again a class apart in winning the u17 1500 metres walk in a record time of 6 minutes 20 seconds. For Tramore Ann Rogers won three silver medals under 16 High Jump, Long jump and Hurdles, For K.C.K. John Halley was second in the u17 60 metres and Waterford A.C. with a small entry had the best result from Samuel Simon fourth in the Long jump u18 with a personal best.
Again with the exception of Ferrybank it was disappointing to see only a few athletes from the other Waterford clubs participating.
WATERFORD RUNNER WINS WORLD MASTERS MEDALS
A 41 year old Waterford runner who is domiciled in Canada for over twenty years won two silver medals at the World Masters Championships indoor and outdoor in Kamloop in Canada last week.
Many will remember Mark Sherman as a fine middle distance runner with the De La Salle juvenile club in his teens and running with Canada last week he finished second in the 3000 metres final behind a Moroccan athlete in the over 40 category at the World Indoors for Masters in Kamloop in Canada; he also finished fifth in the 800 metres final in the same category.
Then on Saturday he took the silver medal in the World Masters Outdoor Half marathon over 40 in a time of 1hr 15 minutes and 21 seconds, a Canadian Donald King won in a time of 1hr 13 min 39 seconds.
His father Tim is well known in athletic circles in Waterford especially in all the various road races he still competes in.
ALL IRELAND SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES CROSS COUNTRY
On Saturday next at the Cork I.T. grounds the All Ireland Schools and University Cross Country Championships will be staged and many athletes from Waterford Secondary Schools and also from W.I.T. will be competing. As always the local athletes are expected to figure prominently in the Schools events with Shane Quinn De La Salle one of the senior favourites and Kate Veale St Augustine’s expected to be well placed in the Intermediate grade.
In the Varsity men’s race athletes from W.I.T are again expected to challenge strongly.The following is the order of events for the day; 12:00pm Junior Girls, 12:15pm Junior Boys,12:35 pm Intermediate Girls, 1:00pm Intermediate Boys, 1:25 pm Senior Girls, 1:40pm Varsity Women, 2:10pm Senior Boys 2:45pm Varsity Men.
MUNSTER FIXTURES
On Sunday next in Ballyea near Ennis in Co Clare the Munster Senior and Novice Road Race Championships will be staged and they start at 1pm. There will be just two races the women’s senior and novice combined at 1pm and the men’s senior and novice combined at 1.30pm. It is expected that a number of athletes from Waterford clubs will participate.
On Sunday week March 21 the Munster Junior, Senior and Masters Indoor Championships will be in Nenagh at 10 30 am and on Sunday March 28 the Munster Master’s Road Race Championships are in Rathkeale Co Limerick at 1 pm. Then on the first Sunday in April Easter Sunday, April 4, the Waterford A.C. promoted Alfie Hale Sports Adidas Open 4 Miles Road Race will be in the City at 11 am. Full details about online entries on Waterford A.C. Website.
DEATH
The death took place last Saturday of Mr Jack Treacy, Villierstown Co Waterford. The late Jack was father of the Treacy athletes, John, Olympic silver medalist and World Cross Country Champion; Ray, All Ireland Champion and current coach at Providence College, Rhode Island, and Liz, a twin of John’s, and another fine athlete.
The late Jack was proud of the prowess of his sons and daughter and followed their fortunes, but it was always at a distance and with little or no pressure on them or their club or county board and this was a big benefit to all involved and, of course, he had an interest in many sports and greyhounds were a big part of his life. On behalf of all involved in Waterford athletics sympathy is extended to all the Treacy family.
Another death last week with an athletic connection was that of Mr Robbie Jephson, late of Ardkeen Stores. The late Robbie was a fine sprinter in his youth and won an All Ireland 220 yards title under A.A.U. Rules during his career. Again, sympathy is extended to all the family from the athletic fraternity in Waterford.
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