County Senior, Junior & Juvenile Relay XC C'Ships 2016

The final County Cross Country Championship event for this season was held on Sunday 30th October in the South Kerry Sports Centre, Cahersiveen hosted by Iveragh AC. The County Senior, Junior and Juvenile Inter club relays had a glorious day with temperatures in the high teens. The course, a 1,100m loop was well laid out, good underfoot with plenty of sharp inclines and sudden twists.
Our club had three Juvenile relay teams competing. Teams of four had a 500m loop each. First up was the U10 girls. With six teams contesting, Grainne Costello, Niamh O'Shea, Rhian McCarthy & Mairead Walsh ran well to finish in third place to get bronze county medals. The girls U14 team made up of Natasha Myers, Aine O'Shea, Elaine McMahon & Shauna McCarthy (sub. Eabha McCarthy) did enough to hold onto third spot. It was great to see Natasha Myers competing in athletics following a long illness. The U14 Boys team, Conall O'Mahony, Cormac Costello, Malachy Kirwan & Cian Spillane, all running out of age ran very good legs to also finish in second place.

In the Senior Women's race, which was a 5000m distance, we had seven competing. The first lap was at a fast pace where Maria McCarthy running strong in second place. As the race progressed the high temperatures and tough course was showing on the ladies as the gap grew between runners. Maria ran very strong to take silver in the Seniors, she was followed home by Caitriona Barry in fourth place and not far behind was Mary O'Shea. There combined positions earned them silver team. All our ladies did exceptionally well, the others were, Marie McKenna, Bernie O'Mahony, Pauline Joseph & Christine Spillane.

In the Mens 10KM distance, there was a very poor turnout. Just eight athletes competing in this years senior race. We had George McCarthy competing.

Full results in Kerry Athletics website.

Club Training Update

There will be no training sessions for Juveniles & Seniors next week. (Nov 1st - 4th).
Maria's Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Class is also not on next Tuesday 1st Nov. But will return on Tuesday 8th at the usual time of 7pm.

Juvenile Training:

For the month of November we will be going indoors. Training will be once a week, Thursdays, starting at 7pm in the Sports Hall, Farranfore.  Commencing on Thursday 10th Nov.

Any juveniles who will be competing in the Munster & National Cross Country Championships will have their endurance / interval session at the same time (7pm) outside on the GAA field.

Enjoy the Halloween Festivities

Kerry Athletics Junior Development Squad

The Kerry Athletics Development Squad are now hosting its inaugural Junior Development Squad.

This Junior Development Squad session will take place at the An Riocht track in Castleisland on Sunday 6th November from 1pm to 3pm.

This is open to all athletes registered with a Kerry Athletics Club that will be U11, U12, U13 in 2017. U10 at club discretion.

Registration from 12.30 €5 per athlete payable on the day.

There will be coaches available to work with the following events:-
Sprints, Middle Distance, Long Jump and High Jump(U12/13) Shot, Discus (U13/14), Javelin (U12/13), Hammer (U14)

A Junior development Squad session will be held every few months and will help the athletes develop and prepare for upcoming events.

Maria's Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Classes

With the long nights arriving it is time to get your body back to full strength for next spring.

Our Indoor Cardiorespiratory, Strength, Endurance & Flexibility Exercise session is on on every Tuesday @ 7pm at the Sports Hall in Farranfore @ only €5 for the session.

The class, lasting for one hour, will consist of a program developed by World Masters medalist, Maria McCarthy, who has a National level 4 qualification in exercise health studies & personal training and a Level 2 National Athletics Ireland coach.

This is held indoors and is an effective method of exercising that can be enjoyed by a variety of people. The programme is designed to improve all the components of fitness that constitute physical fitness of an individual. The most essential components for maintaining fitness for life and sport include:
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness
- Muscular Strength
- Muscular Endurance
- Flexibility

Being physically fit also contributes to our overall health and total fitness. Total fitness includes social, mental, emotional, nutritional and medical fitness. It protects you against cardiovascular disease, increases your bone density, lowers cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and improves sleep quality. As a general rule, engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory activity each week.

Time: Tuesday nights @ 7pm.
Venue: Sports Hall Farranfore.
Session fee: Pay as You Go €5 

Kerry Senior and Juv. Relay XC - Venue

This years County Senior and Juvenile Relays Cross Country will be held in Cahersiveen on Sunday October 30th 2016. First race is at 11:00am sharp. Which will be the Senior Ladies 5000m. This will be followed by the Juvenile Even Ages Relays. The final race of the day will be the Senior Mens 10Km race.
Please note that the juvenile relays run off very fast.


Directions to Venue..
The XC race will take place in Cahersiveen, When entering the town from Killorglin side continue on until you come to old library at cross roads. Turn right onto Bridge Street, continue on the Castlequinn Road. Follow this road over the bridge and you will see the football field on left. This is the venue, about 800m from turnoff.
Co-Ordinates: 51.953496,-10.230227

Munster Novice/U23 & Juv. Even Ages Cross Country C'Ships

The first Munster Cross Country Championships of the season was held in glorious weather conditions in Ballinahina, Carraig na Bhfear, Co. Cork on Sunday 23rd October. It was the Munster Novice / U23 & Juvenile Even Ages which brought an impressive number of athletes competing.

The club had no juveniles competing in the Even Age group. In the Novice Women's race we had a club team made up of Caitriona Barry, Marie McKenna, Bernie O'Mahony & Pauline Joseph. A total of 66 women competed in this years race. 

Caitriona Barry ran well to finish in tenth place overall and was also part of the Kerry team to take bronze. Marie McKenna, competing at Munster level for the very first time ran consistently and towards the end picked off a few places to finish in 42nd. Bernie O'Mahony following her competitive race last weekend, came in just behind Marie in 46th place. Pauline ran a very good race is shows signs of improvement when she finished in 59th place. No team medal for the girls, but it was great to see the club colours flying high in Cork.

Munster Juvenile Even Age, Novice & U/23 Cross Country Championships on Sunday 23rd October - U/10 to U/12 Results U/14 to U/18 Results Novice & U/23 Results

Next weekend we will have the County Senior / Junior & Juv. Relays (U/10, U/12, U/14 & U/16), Cahersiveen starting at 11am with the women's senior race. Best of luck to everyone competing.

XC Fixtures News

The Munster Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships takes place in Ballinahina, Carraig na Bhfear, Co. Cork this Sunday, 23rd. 

The county juvenile secretary has entered the top 12 from the Kerry XC championships on 2nd October into this event as part of the Kerry teams. All secretaries now have a copy of these results. If any of the athletes concerned have not been entered on a club team they can still take part and score points for the Kerry team.


The County Juvenile Relays take place on Sunday 30th October in Cahersiveen. In line with Munster and national relay events, age groups have been amended to even ages U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18. Teams of 4, each running 500m.


If you have any questions regarding either of these events please call Paddy O'Donoghue on (087) 419 3409.

AAI Autumn Open Cross Country 2016

The unveiling of the new cross country course at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin was eagerly waited at Athletics Ireland's Autumn Open Cross Country race festival on Sunday 16th October. The adult races also doubled as the trial for the British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships.

The course itself was a pretty testing one with several hills and a 100m sandy section that drew much comment. The downpours of the weekend added a fair bit of mud into the mix. The lap was a long 2000m which brought the athletes into the woods and well away from spectators. The consensus from the athletes generally was that it was a fair but hard course, the spectators found it even tougher!

First off for the adults were the senior and masters women over 3 laps of 2k. 65+ women completed 2x2k laps. First home from our club was Maria McCarthy, who won her category and was placed 25th overall. Bernie O'Mahoney, competing at this event for the very first time ran very well to finish fourth in her category. Caitriona Barry finished strong to be placed 7th in her category. Niamh De Hora was competing in the Senior Women's race. Following on from her success at county level, Niamh finished in 30th place overall. Teams will now be selected for those who will represent Ireland in the British & Irish Masters Cross Championships which will be held in Tolcross Park, Scotland on Saturday 12th November. We wish everyone all the best.

At the award presentation there was a moving tribute to the late Jim McNamara. He competed in this race many times including in 2015 for the last time and he was arguably Ireland's greatest ever masters athlete. The Irish Masters Athletics Association (IMAA) commissioned two trophies for the first master man and woman in the race. With the cooperation of Jim's family, a pair of his spikes was crafted into two beautiful perpetual trophies. These were presented to Letterkenny AC's AnneMarie McGlynn and to Slieve Gullion's Paddy Hamilton.

Autumn Open Cross Country Results

County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country C'ships

The County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country championships were eld in Firies on A beautiful sunny Sunday 9th October. Hosted by our club we wish to pay special gratitude to PJ Walsh and Morgan McMahon for providing all the facilities for a second year. It is not easy to find suitable locations for our cross country competitions so we really appreciate it.
A special thanks too to one of our main sponsors, Moriarty's Centra Farranfore for providing all the refreshments.
The course was a 1000m loop with a gradual 400m climb and a bit of mud mixed in.


In the Juvenile U9 Girls 750m loop we had four girls competing. Rhian McCarthy ran a great race to come from the back and with a sprint finish to take the U9 title. Grainne Costello was just behind her in third place. Kaylagh O'Connor & Clodagh Shanahan, both competing in their very first cross country race did very well and with the combined positions the team of four girls won gold.

In the U9 boys we had Marcus Clifford, Evan Doona, Keelan Kelleher & Kevin O'Shea. No individual medal but they did pick up team silver medal for their efforts.
In the U11 Girls 1500m race we had five girls competing. Eabha McCarthy was very strong on the hill and continued to pass throughout the race. With 300m to go she began to open up a gap and won comfortably. Next home from our club was Mairead Walsh in 11th place after losing one of her spikes, Doireann O'Shea 18th, Meabh Dineen 23rd and then Niamh O'Shea. With their combined positions they were the fourth team overall. In the U11 boys we had a sole runner, Diarmuid Kirwan. Diarmuid had a good race and towards the end he began to gain a few places. He just missed out on a individual medal.
In the U13 2500m race, Shauna McCarthy continued to show her dominance in the cross country scene. She won the race very comfortably. Aine O'Shea, who would not be accustomed to running long distance, did very well also to finish the distance strong in 17th place. 

We had a team in the U13 boys race. Cian Spillane had to work hard throughout the race where he and two other boys we stuck together in the lead group throughout the race. Team mate, Conall O'Mahony was in the mix throughout just behing the lead runners. It was on the final 300m when Cian upped the pace and won the U13 title. Conall O'Mahony equally ran a great race and continues to improve to finish in 3rd, Cormac Costello was 9th, Malachy Kirwan was 11th and Ben Fleming 15th. They won team gold.


New to the club, Killian Kerins competed in the U17 5000m race. Killian, who is a talented footballer playing for Milltown/Castlemaine, ran very consistently throughout the race. After 3K he began to open a big gap and in the end won very comfortably.
David Kenny won silver in the U19 7000m race. 

In the Intermediate & Masters Womens 4500m race, there was a big turnout again this week by the ladies. Maria McCarthy won the race overall and took gold in the O40 Category. Niamh De Hora was second and won the Intermediate title.

Intermediate Team: 2nd FFMV Scorers: Niamh De Hora, Marie McKenna, Bernie O'Mahony
Indiviadual: 

Masters O35: 1st Maria McCarthy, 2nd Catriona Barry
Masters O45: 3rd Bernie O'Mahoney
Masters Teams:
1st FFMV \Maria McCarthy, Catriona Barry, Marie McKenna
3rd FFMV\Bernie O'Mahoney, Mary O'Shea, Pauline Joesph
Individual positions of 23 runners
1 Maria McCarthy
2. Niamh De Hora
5. Catriona Barry
9. Marie McKenna
10. Bernie O'Mahoney
11. Mary O'Shea
14. Pauline Joesph
15 Christiane Spillane
18 Grainne Tierney

In the Intermediate & masters 7000m race we had Garvin Cronin competing in his very first Intermediate XC race. Garvin ran well and was extremely happy with his performance. A great introduction to the cross country scene. George McCarthy was the first home from our club and had a good battle with his mate Rob Purcell (Gneeveguilla) throughout the seven laps. Dermot Dineen ran very well and was not far behind. Well done to Michael O'Connor who took gold in the O65 category.

Well done to everyone who turned out and competed. The next county XC event is the Seniors and Juvenile Even ages Relays on Sunday 30th October in Cahersiveen. Relay distances is 500m for all ages.

County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country C'ships

The County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country championships were eld in Firies on A beautiful sunny Sunday 9th October. Hosted by our club we wish to pay special gratitude to PJ Walsh and his family for providing all the facilities for a second year. It is not easy to find suitable locations for our cross country competitions so we really appreciate it.
The course was a 1000m loop with a gradual 400m climb and a bit of mud mixed in.


In the Juvenile U9 Girls 750m loop we had four girls competing. Rhian McCarthy ran a great race to come from the back and with a sprint finish to take the U9 title. Grainne Costello was just behind her in third place. Kaylagh O'Connor & Clodagh Shanahan, both competing in their very first cross country race did very well and with the combined positions the team of four girls won gold.

In the U9 boys we had Marcus Clifford, Evan Doolagh, Keelan Kelleher & Kevin O'Shea. No individual medal but they did pick up team silver medal for their efforts.
In the U11 Girls 1500m race we had five girls competing. Eabha McCarthy was very strong on the hill and continued to pass throughout the race. With 300m to go she began to open up a gap and won comfortably. Next home from our club was Mairead Walsh in 11th place after losing one of her spikes, Doireann O'Shea 18th, Meabh Dineen 23rd and then Niamh O'Shea. With their combined positions they were the fourth team overall. In the U11 boys we had a sole runner, Diarmuid Kirwan. Diarmuid had a good race and towards the end he began to gain a few places. He just missed out on a individual medal.
In the U13 2500m race, Shauna McCarthy continued to show her dominance in the cross country scene. She won the race very comfortably. Aine O'Shea, who would not be accustomed to running long distance, did very well also to finish the distance strong in 17th place. 

We had a team in the U13 boys race. Cian Spillane had to work hard throughout the race where he and two other boys we stuck together in the lead group throughout the race. It was on the final 300m when Cian upped the pace and won the U13 title. Conal O'Mahoney equally ran a great race to finish in 6th, Cormac Costello was 9th, Malachy Kirwan was 11th and Ben Fleming 15th. They won team gold.


New to the club, Killian Kerins competed in the U17 5000m race. Killian, who is a talented footballer playing for Milltown/Castlemaine, ran very consistently throughout the race. After 3K he began to open a big gap and in the end won very comfortably.
David Kenny won silver in the U19 7000m race. 

In the Intermediate & Masters Womens 4500m race, there was a big turnout again this week by the ladies. Maria McCarthy won the race overall and took gold in the O40 Category. Niamh De Hora was second and won the Intermediate tille.
Farranfore club won the Intermediate team title. The Masters ladies had a great day out by taking first and third in the team categories.

Intermediate Team: 2nd FFMV Scorers: Niamh De Hora, Marie McKenna, Bernie O'Mahony
Indiviadual: 

Masters O35: 1st Maria McCarthy, 2nd Catriona Barry
Masters O45: 3rd Bernie O'Mahoney
Teams:
1st FFMV \Maria McCarthy, Catriona Barry, Marie McKenna
3rd FFMV\Bernie O'Mahoney, Mary O'Shea, Pauline Joesph
Individual positions of 23 runners
1 Maria McCarthy
2. Niamh De Hora
5. Catriona Barry
9. Marie McKenna
10. Bernie O'Mahoney
11. Mary O'Shea
14. Pauline Joesph
15 Christiane Spillane
18 Grainne Tierney

In the Intermediate & masters 7000m race we had Garvin Cronin competing in his very first Intermediate XC race. Garvin ran well and was extremely happy with his performance. A great introduction to the cross country scene. George McCarthy was the first home from our club and had a good battle with his mate Rob Purcell (Gneeveguilla) throughout the seven laps. Dermot Dineen ran very well and was not far behind. Well done to Michael O'Connor who took gold in the O65 category.

Well done to everyone who turned out and competed. The next county XC event is the Seniors and Juvenile Even ages Relays on Sunday 30th October in Cahersiveen. Relay distances is 500m for all ages.

County Novice, U23 & Juvenile Even Age Cross Country 2016

The Cross Country Season kicked off on Sunday last with the County Novice & Juvenile Even Age Cross Country held in the Demesne, Killarney. Weather conditions were perfect with no wind and beautiful sunshine. 

First Juvenile race of the day was the U10 Girls. Rhian McCarthy took the lead of the 1000m race. Running out of age this showed great courage and determination. With only 200m to go Rhian was overtaken by two other athletes, not holding back she picked up the pace and finished in second place overall. Mairead Walsh was not far behind finishing in the top 10. Grainne Costello and Niamh O'Shea also ran very well and in doing so won silver for the team. In the U10 Boys we had a team where they were all out of age and new to cross country. They all finished in the middle of the pack so did themselves very proud. 

Next up was the U12 Girls 2000m. Competing for us was Doireann O'Shea and Eabha McCarthy, again both competing out of age. Doireann & Eabha ran the first 1000m lap just off the lead bunch, on the final stages of the last lap both Doireann & Eabha began to pick up the pace and gained a lot of positions to be placed just outside the top 10. A great show of team work by the two girls. 

In the boys U12 we had Cormac Costello competing. Cormac ran the first half very strong holding fifth place, but on the final stretch Cormac felt the pace and lost a few places to finish just outside the medals. 

In the U14 Girls 3000m, Shauna McCarthy was competing, again out of age. Shauna found a good pace in the first lap holding 4th position and within 20m of the leader. By the end of the second lap Shauna was now in second place and still looking comfortable. Throughout the last lap Shauna slowly picked up the pace and began to close the gap on the leader. In the final stages of the race Shauna made her break and sprinted past the leader to win the U14 title. 

In the U14 Boys, Cian Spillane ran a very solid race. From the start three runners made the break, and Cian was one of those. Cian sat in behind the leader for the most of the race and with less than 500m to go Cian took the lead and held it to win the U14 Boys title. We had no athletes competing in the U16's. 

David Kenny won the U18 6000m race in fine style. 

In the Women's Novice & U23 4000m race, there was a big field compared to recent years. Niamh De Hora (U23) lead from the start and over the four laps slowly opened up a fine gap to win the race overall very comfortably. She was soon followed home by Marie McKenna, Mary O'Shea, Grainne Tierney, Ciara Tierney, Christine Spillane & Pauline Joseph. With some fine running by these ladies and some competing in their very first cross country race picked up silver in the Novice team. Well done to you all, great to see such a large turnout. 

In the Novice & U23 mens 6000m race we had Aidan McCarthy & Dermot Dineen competing. It was great to see Aidan back again wearing the club singlet after been out for some time. Aidan ran a very good race finishing well up. Dermot equally ran well, picking up pace as the race progressed. Well done to all our club members who participated, our coaches, and family members who attended the event. It is much appreciated.

selection of pictures on facebook

Next Sunday at 11am our club will be hosting the County Intermediate, Masters & Juvenile Uneven ages XC in PJ Walshes farm, Firies. We hope to see a good turnout for this event.