Senior Notes and Results
Senior Captain - Tommy McDonnellApril 2008
Meath Road Relay Championship Bohermeen Friday 25/4Dunboyne team had a top class performance on Friday evening in Bohermeen, this was the Meath 4 stage relay championship. 5 Dunboyne members were ready for action. There were 11club teams on the start line and the distance was, ½ mile, 1 mile, 1½ miles, and 2 miles stages.
The first leg over ½ mile saw Michael Cornyn hand over in 4th place with a time of 2.20, a great run. The 2nd leg, 1 mile, saw Sean Kinnane 6th in 5.15, a P.B. for Sean. The 3rd leg, 1½ mile, was Morgan McDonagh in 5th at 7.30 the fastest on that stage and closing on the leaders
The 4th leg, 2 miles, was Rory Mc Donnell, after 1 mile he was up to 2nd place, some 10secs down on R. Byrne of Bohermeen whose team had led from the start. Over the 2nd mile Dunboyne took up the lead and ran on to win by 9 sec, with only 20 sec between the first 4 teams. Rory's time for the 2 miles was 9.29. John Holian was the 5th member of the team [sub]
1ST DUNBOYNE 24.34
2ND ST.BRIGIDS 24.43
3RD DUNSHAUGHLIN 24.48
4TH BOHERMEEN 24.54
As club captain I have to state my disappointment at the very poor turnout of club members at this event and some other races of late. CLUB MEMBERS are expected to turn out in club colours and represent the club. The facilities of the club are there for all but it goes both ways.
I will conclude by congratulating the team of 5 Dunboyne members who are Meath Road Relay Champions
TOMMY MC DONNELL
Connemara Half Marathon – April 6th 2008 by Deirdre FitzsimonsSunday 6th April 2008 I ran my 5th half marathon and 2nd one in Connemara. Training had not quite gone to plan but I had managed three 10 milers in preparation with some 5-6 milers along the way. Last year I ran just under 2 hrs 12 mins so I was hoping that this year I could run close to 2 hours. Race day arrived and despite very pessimistic weather reports in the week preceding the race, on the day it was really a case of 4 seasons in one day. I caught a bus from Oughterard that drove along the Ultra Marathon route to Leenane via Recess. We passed Shay already having completed the distance the busload was about to run! All nervousness had disappeared by the time we reached the start as I realised, however difficult the half marathon would be, the Full and Ultra would be a lot more arduous.
We arrived at Leenane about 10-15 mins before the start. There was a great buzz despite some runners being there for over an hour before the start. The atmosphere was upbeat, and despite it being very cold, the sun was shining. We luckily had just missed a hailstone shower. I met Pauline and Tony at the start but soon lost them again as the runners moved to the start line. The start line was on a temporary narrow bridge that was put in place when the bridge collapsed during bad weather a few weeks after last year’s connemarathon. The start was very crowded and extremely slow-moving. It took me just over a minute to pass the start line and by this time I had lost my friends so it was 13.1 miles solo.
The hill out of Leenan was definitely challenging but I planned to take it slow as this was my race warm-up. Pauline passed me out in the first half mile looking very fit and determined to run a good race. The first mile took me 11 mins to run. Mile 2 was at 10 minute pace. After that I settled into a steady 9.5 min pace that I kept with for the rest of the race. A constant stream of half and full marathoners passed me. Between mile 4- 5 there was a shower of rain and hailstones but within 5 minutes the sun came out. Luckily the wind was always behind us pushing to the finish. By the time I passed the half-way mark I was mentally counting down the miles to go.
I kept my 9.5 min pace saving myself for the mile-and-a-half climb up the ‘Hell of the West’. I was determined that I would run every last step of the climb this year. I could see the mile-and-a-half climb ahead and the continuous stream of half, full and ultra marathoners. I put the head down and for the first time in the race I started to pass runners and walkers out – this was the psychological boost I needed. Only 2 miles to go! I checked the time and knew I was on target to get in close to 2 hrs 5 mins. When we reached the top of the climb there were now more supporters on route cheering us on to the finish. Mile 12 went well and I registered my first sub 9 mile and then the last mile seemed like it would never end. I spotted Tony near the finish having finished his half in 1 hr 40 and already back out on the course cheering the other runners in to the finish. I aimed to sprint the last 100 metres but became aware of an Ultra Marathoner just in front of me and decided it was more fitting for me to finish behind him. The official clock registered me a finish time of 2 hours 6 mins 2 secs. Will definitely be back next year to improve on my time.
The course is a great one to run – you are never disappointed by the scenery, you happen upon supporters in the most unlikely spots and all in all it’s a very friendly race to run.
Dunboyne Half marathoners
There was no timing mat at the start so these times are clock times not actual.
Tony O’Neill 1:40:56
Pauline Hillard 1:42:36
Emily Burke 2:05:03
Deirdre FitzSimons 2:06:02
March 2008
TRIP TO 3rd WORLD MASTER CHAMPIONSHIPS - By Michael Cornyn
After a winter of early morning training runs in the dark & cold, running through the muddy fields at the back of the track & some very good track sessions with my friends at the club I headed off on the 15th March to compete in the 3rd World Master Championships in Claermont-Ferrand in central France. All the family decided to come along, my wife Maureen, my daughter Sinead & my son Niall to give me lots of moral support. After a day travelling via East Midlands in the UK to Limogues in France and a 2 hour car journey, we arrived at our destination and settled into our accommodation late on Saturday night.On Sunday morning we headed off to find the stadium in Claermont which turned out to be a big size city rather than what we had thought before hand was a medium size town. As is usual in France, the stadium was well signposted, we got there quickly and I went to the registration area for Ireland to get my accreditation pack and declare for my events M45 800m on Monday 17th March & M45 400m on Thursday. The accreditations allow me access onto the track and also allowed me to train on the track & access to others areas where the spectators were not allowed.
The stadium was a state of the art indoor stadium along side an outdoor 400m tartan track and other facilities. The check in area was buzzing with hundreds of athletes from so many different countries arriving, checking in and renewing old acquaintance. Along side this area were many stands selling local foods, wines, visitor's attractions, running gear & stands for the European Masters outdoors championships in Slovenia in August and the European Masters Indoor championships in Ancona Italy for March 2009. While walking around the stands wearing my Irish Tracksuit I was stopped on a number of occasions by people from different countries wondering was Mr Bobby King arriving, was he in good shape, would he be competing, all wanting to renew acquaintances. A lady from Austria asked me about the Campion twins who compete in the pole vault and seem to have been at every major master championship in the last 10 years. You felt watching this that you were part of an international family, all meeting every year or two to renew friendships made in earlier years & compete in a friendly rivalry.
The French were highly organised, extremely helpful & wondering what we were doing to celebrate St Patrick's Day, (we ended up in an Irish pub celebrating silver medals won by the M50 Cross Country team). It was fantastic just watching athletes from so many countries checking in and getting ready for a weeks intense competition, Russians, Americans, Mexicans, Australians, Germans and from as far away as Venezuela, athletes from 64 countries, a total of 3,670 competitors.
Monday morning dawned and we all headed for the stadium, family with Paddy's Day hats & flags, I was going to have strong support today. My 800m was on at 2 o clock, I had to check in for my event 30minutes before the start & once checked in could not leave the check in area.From the on you are constantly supervised by officials until your race. I had warmed up before hand then went to call area where we were informed what heat we were running in. I was in heat 7 and after waiting around in the call area we were marched onto the track. I watched a number of heats between more warm-up strides and suddenly it was my turn. Two French, a Spanish Athlete, Croation & a Portuguese athlete, can I stay with these guys. Lane 3, the gun goes 200m in 29sec fast, 400, in 61sec can I hang on, with 200m to go the legs were like lead. I finished 4th & with only 2 to qualify my 800m championships was over.
On the Thursday I ran 59.5sec in the 400m heats missing qualification for the next round by 300th of a second. But what an experience competing against athletes from so many countries. The atmosphere in the stadium was great. Most days the stadium was full approx 2000 seats & everyone clapped every competitor especially those distant last in races. Some days Maureen , Sinead & Niall were so enjoying the atmosphere & watching so many fine performances at all age groups that it was I who was pulling them away to go site seeing around Claremont.
The competition is red hot in every age group but the comradre is great & so many more Irish Master should try & get to one of these championships to experience this fantastic atmosphere. It would be great to see some more from the club and the county competing at this level and they are well capable of distinguishing themselves at this level both as individuals and on cross country teams.
I can dream on my early morning runs, or the wet nights or the days you find it so difficult to do another track session that if I can increase my fitness levels and reduce my times, maybe next time I meet my international friends at 800m I just might not be seeing the back of their vests.
St Patrick's Day Meath Road Championships 2008Rory Mc Donnell defended his 5mile title in fine style in Athboy this afternoon. Dunboyne had 6 athletes in the race. The first mile had a group of at least 8 together and it was at this point that Rory took up the pace. From there on he increased the lead to a margin of 48 secs at the finish line.
The club team packed well to retain the cup for the winning club, all the lads improved their times from last year. The most notable was Sean Kinnane who improved by 2 mins 12 secs. Here are places and times:
1st Rory Mc Donnell in 25:56
6th Morgan Mc Donagh in 27:50
7th Phelim Glynn in 28.05
15th Sean Kinnane in 30:05
18th Pat Phelan in 30:38
35th Tony O'Neill in 32:41
Fiona Reid had a super race in the 5k road event promoted by Metro AC. in Dublin on Sunday. This was her first race in quite a while due to injury. There was over 2000 runners in the race and Fiona was the 6th lady to finish. Her time 17:55.
Above from the left are, Phelim Glynn, Pat Phelan,
Rory Mc Donnell, Morgan Mc Donagh, Tony O'Neill
and Sean Kinnane at the St Patrick's Day Meath
5 Miles Road Championships
Leinster Indoor Championships
Duboyne A.C member’s had a bumper day at the athletics Leinster Indoor Championships at Nenagh on Sunday last, 9/3/08. The day started well with Morgan Mc Donagh showing a return to form. Morgan moved right through the field to Dunboyne’s first senior gold of the day. In the Senior Mens 1500m Dunboyne’s athlete Rory Mc Donnell led from start to finish. This was more of the form that saw two very good runs the previous week. Winner of the third senior gold medal of the day was Bobby King. Bobby was a clear winner of the 3000m walk, he had opted to run Senior rather than the Master’s, well done Bobby. Super vet of the day was Michael Cornyn. Michael was 2nd in the ever 45's 400m and the 800m. However, He kept the best for the 1500m when he just got up on the last lap to win Gold. In the V5 200m Jim Henry continued his indoor form by winning the bronze. Sean Conroy won his age group in the 200m. In the U20 girls Sinead O Kane had one her bast performances of late finishing 2nd in the 200m.
Names Places
Sen Men 800m Morgan Mc Donagh 1st
Sen Men 1500m Rory Mc Donnell 1st
Sen Men 3000m walk Bobby King 1st
Master’s V3 400m Michael Cornyn 2nd
Master’s V3 800m Michael Cornyn 2nd
Master’s V3 1500m Michael Cornyn 1st
Master’s V5 200m Jim Henry 3rd
Master’s V5 200m Sean Conroy 1st
U20 Girls 200m Sinead O'Kane 2nd
Febuary, 2008National Masters Indoor Championships
Dunboyne athletes had hugh success at the National Masters Indoor Championships in Nenagh Co. Tipperary on 17/2/08. In total 5 All Ireland medals were won by club members with pride of place to SEAN CONROY with 2 silvers.
V3 MICHAEL CORNYN, 400m, 2nd place
V4 NOEL DUFFEY, 400m, 3rd place
V4 JIM HENRY, 400m, 2nd place
V8 SEAN CONROY, 60m, 2nd place
V8 SEAN CONROY, 200m, 2nd place
The same weekend BOBBY KING competed BY INVITATION in LATVIA at the Indoor Open Championships. Bobby was one of 30 competitors in the 3km walking championship, he won his age group by a wide margin in a new stadium record of 14.32 mins. Bobby was 2nd overall, only 9 seconds adrift of the winner who last year was 4th in the over 40's World Championships. WOW.
Dunboyne had a team of 5 runners in the International 5km road race in Armagh City Thursday evening 21/2/08.The race had teams from 9 countries. It was won in a new course record of 13.57mins by US athlete Christian Hesch with Mark Carroll of Ireland in 2nd place in 13.59 mins. The Dunboyne team was led home by RORY MC DONNELL in 29th place in a time of 15.00 mins, a PB by 14 secs. Rory was the 3rd Irishman to finish and therefore on the Irish Team, which finished 4th in the International field. The team was:
MARK CARROLL, 2nd
GARETH TURNBULL, 13th
RORY MC DONNELL, 29th
2nd home for Dunboyne was
MORGAN MC DONAGH, 107th, then
SEAN KINNANE, 108th
DECLAN HORGAN, 129th
NOEL DUFFY, 224th
Well done to all the lads, with the Dunboyne Club Team finishing in 8th place.
The 2nd International race of the week was Ras na hEireann at Dunleer, Co. Louth on Sunday 24/2/08.
RORY MC DONNELL was the only Dunboyne starter.This was a class field of runners with more or less the same field as in Armagh race, over 6km. The winner was Jussi Utriainen of Finland with Mariusz Gizynski of Poland a close 2nd. Rory again had a super run to finish in 18th place. One of the 4 man Irish team finished behind Rory while the 2 others were just seconds ahead. Well done again, Rory.
January, 200814th January 2008 Dunboyne athletes included on the Meath teams for the Leinster Senior Cross Country Championships in Tinryland Co Carlow on Sunday 20th January are
Senior Men: Morgan McDonagh, Donal O Mathuna and Rory McDonnell.
Senior Ladies: Pauline Hilliard and Fiona Reid.
December, 2007Leinster Star Awards
Sinead O'Kane, one of our up and coming young athletes won the Leinster junior female star award for Co Meath.
Meath Mountain Running Championships - 30th December 2007
Dunboyne A.C. were represented by two athletes at the Meath Mountain running championship, which took place at Mullaghmeen Woods near Oldcastle. Medals were won by both of them with Sean Kinnane finishing third over 35 and Aidan Keegan third over 45.
South O'Hanlon 10k - Navan - 26th December 2007
Phelim Glynn was 1st over 40 and 6th overall.
Christmas morning run - 25th December 2007
There were 50 participants in this year's Christmas morning race that was won by Michael Cornyn. Dunboyne social services will benefit from a total of €1582 that was raised.
Meath Senior Cross Country Championships - Trim - 9th December, 2007
In the Senior Mens race Rory McDonnell finished 2nd to Gerard Heery of St. Brigid's. He led home the Dunboyne team into 2nd place in the Club Grade A event. The other members of the team were Phelim Glynn who finished 9th, Morgan McDonagh and Donal O'Mathuna.
The Dunboyne team of Padraig Phelan, Sean Kinnane and Tony O'Neill won the Grade B event.
Pauline Hilliard finished a good 5th place in the Senior Womens race.
Well done to you all.